The lighting of the National Christmas Tree at the White House Ellipse is a beloved tradition that officially marks the opening of the month-long “Pageant of Peace” holiday season in our nation’s capital. This year, the November 28th event will include a number of extra-special touches.

Children from around the country have made and contributed ornaments to decorate the giant Colorado blue spruce tree, which is surrounded by smaller decorated trees that represent all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and other US territories. Additionally, the lighting program will feature live performances by an array of musicians. This year’s scheduled acts are a diverse group, including the Dominican Sisters of Mary from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Grammy-nominated country duo Thompson Square, Irish tenor Anthony Kearns, and chart-topping country-gospel performer Spensha Baker. Most important of all, though, is the moment when the First Family flips the switch to light the tree with thousands of twinkling lights!