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Request tickets now: How to visit the White House at Christmastime

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We have a long (and always growing) list of trips we want to take, from which we create and build our travel dreams. One dream that had been shining at the top of the list for quite some time was a Christmas visit to the White House. We love the holidays, and -- politics and partisanship aside -- admire the elegance and importance of the White House. We knew visiting while it is decked in its holiday finest would be a memorable treat.

But, as we have discovered in the past, wanting to visit the White House and getting to visit the White House are two very different things. Before we get to the holiday magic we saw inside The People's House, let's look at what it takes to get in the door.

How to visit the White House

To arrange a White House visit , you need to contact the office of your congressional representative. Requests can be submitted up to three months in advance of your anticipated travel dates, which means you may be booking your trip to DC before you know if you will get approved for a White House visit. However, the sooner you apply the better, because the tours only allow a limited number of people each day. If you want to take a tour at Christmastime, send in your request in September.

Your chances of securing a tour spot will be better if you can designate multiple days on your trip when you would be available for a tour. Once the request is submitted by the office of your representative, White House Tours will contact you for security information. Unfortunately for advance planners, the outcome of your request won't be known until 10 to 14 days before your date(s). If the White House visit is only a part of a planned DC visit, then it may not be a big deal. But if a White House tour is the sole or primary reason for your trip, that late notice could create some last-minute adjustments to your plans. Tours are typically scheduled for Tuesday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tours are free, but subject to change due to White House scheduling and events that cannot be foreseen.

Planning our holiday White House visit

The official White House Christmas tree is usually delivered the day after Thanksgiving, when decorating the property for Christmas is in full swing. The seasonal décor is ready for public viewing a few days after Thanksgiving. Our request for a Christmastime tour was submitted on Sept. 10 for a Dec. 11, 12 or 13 visit. We found out via email on Friday, Nov. 30 that we were approved and accepted for our visit.

With that approval in hand, we found a cheap Spirit Airlines flight into Baltimore for $64. Normally, we would have used 5,000 Spirit miles to cover the fare, but because we were so close to our travel date, reward booking fees were more than the actual cost of the flight, so that strategy didn't work. Thankfully, there are plenty of affordable hotels in Baltimore using points or cash. Since we arrived pretty late in the evening, we just booked a decent cash rate at the Aloft BWI Baltimore Airport and rested for the night. The same hotel (a Category 3 Marriott property) can be booked for 17,500 Marriott points.

Once we headed to Washington, DC, we stayed at to the Hyatt Place White House, which we have visited in the past. It is within easy walking distance to the White House, includes free breakfast and only costs 15,000 World of Hyatt points per night. The nearby Grand Hyatt Washington is also a good choice at 15,000 World of Hyatt points per night, especially if you have access to its club lounge (which our daughter, Mommy Points, has scored for us on some trips). Either could be booked with a Hyatt Category 1–4 award from the World of Hyatt Credit Card, though we just used points earned from that card on this trip.

To avoid spending extra time, money and an additional night in the DC area, we ponied up $200+ each for a United nonstop evening flight home from Washington National directly to our home airport in Houston. It wasn't a great deal financially, but maximized our time and energy during the busy holiday season.

Visiting the White House at Christmas

As the precious few days passed from our approval to our departure, we held our breath that our tour would not be affected by a Christmas cancellation. Even as we approached the tour entrance, we kept one eye out for unusual Secret Service movement and the other eye scanning our phone looking for breaking news that might bear bad tidings. Fortunately, we were greeted by an open gate and a welcoming gesture and into the line we went.

The Secret Service officer checked our IDs and cross-checked the master list to verify if we were indeed on "the nice list." Three additional screenings later and we were ready to enter the White House.

The tour enters from the East Wing, where we passed through a hallway that led to the first of many grand Christmas trees. The initial tree was dedicated to the Gold Star families of our armed forces and was decorated in red and blue ribbons and rich gold ornaments.

As we turned the corner, we came up the East Colonnade, which was lined on both sides with bright red berry trees of varying heights naturally lit by the multiple large windows that look out into the Kennedy Garden. The trees had received some unfavorable reviews when first introduced, and we were curious as to what our impression would be in person. When standing in front of the trees, we found them to be colorful, festive and appropriate for the season. A muted green carpet provided a seasonal balance to the somewhat narrow walkway. Judging by the number of photos being taken of the trees, they seem to be a hit with the crowd. Fortunately, cameras (with some limitations) are permitted on the White House tour.

The next interesting encounter was the display of official White House Christmas cards from presidents over the past 91 years. Sixteen administrations were covered; their choices reflected not only each president's personal style and attitude, but also graphically illustrated the number of Christmases each experienced as the leader of our country. Eisenhower, Reagan, Bush 43, Clinton and Obama all had eight cards. Johnson and Nixon had five, Carter and Bush 41 had four, Ford had three, Kennedy only two and Trump also had two. We found this exhibit to be a poignant and educational history lesson with a direct seasonal correlation.

After this point we physically entered the White House proper and enjoyed rooms with familiar names: the China Room, the Vermeil Room and the Library. Of these three, the Library was my personal favorite. The room emitted a warm and comfortable glow, and one could easily imagine a classic Christmas carol playing quietly in the background.

Next, we ascended to the state floor via a significant wooden stairway to the East Room, the largest and most utilized room in the Executive Mansion. It has been the site of press conferences, Medal of Honor presentation ceremonies, entertainment, weddings, funerals and even a senior prom. Large chandeliers, grandiose garlanded mirrors and gold-hued drapes elegantly highlighted the room while two 14-foot fir trees flanked a traditional Nativity scene that was in its 51st year of display. The East Room traditionally is quite spacious and open with few furnishings.

After exiting the East Room, the famous Red, Green and Blue rooms were only steps away. The Green Room now serves as a parlor for small receptions. Its decorative theme for the holidays illustrated and highlighted the great work ethic of American farmers and the fruits of their labor. Harvested produce, grains and nuts were found in the garland on the mantle, the boughs of the tree and as accents on the tables.

The oval-shaped Blue Room is an elegant, handsome and inviting space that most would love to have in their own homes. It occupies the center of the White House, and its windows look out onto the South Lawn and toward the Washington and Jefferson monuments. The Blue Room is often used by the president to receive guests, but during Christmastime, this room proudly plays host to the official White House Christmas tree. When viewing the White House from outside, the 18-foot North Carolina-grown Fraser fir is easily seen through the South Portico.

The Blue Room just feels like what I think of when I envision the best of America, and the tree there was decorated to enhance this ambience. A long continuous blue velvet ribbon curled itself throughout the tree with the names of all the states and territories proudly embroidered with a rich gold thread. Red and gold ornaments filled the green branches that reached toward and touched the ornate ceiling medallion.

(As an aside, the Blue Room, due to its shape and position in The White House, might lead an outsider to assume this is where the Oval Office must be located. In reality, the Oval Office is not in the White House proper, but down in the West Wing in an area not visible to the public.)

The Red Room's bold color grabs your total attention as you enter its doorway. The centerpiece tree was adorned with ornaments depicting popular activities of American youth ranging from sports to drama to music. The contrast of the white Italian marble fireplace and mantle with the red, green and white garland spray was simply stunning and, in keeping with the spirit of the tree, fun.

A meal is sadly not included in the White House tour, but, if it was, the State Dining Room would be the logical place for it to be served. It can accommodate over 100 guests, but my blue jeans likely would have needed a serious upgrade. Eagles support the furniture and topped the trees in homage to one of our national symbols. A large edible gingerbread creation sat under one of the classic White House mirrors and depicted famous monuments and structures on the National Mall. The piece was made with almost 400 pounds of ingredients by the pastry team.

And, if the White House had not already impressed you enough with its Christmas trappings, when we passed the Kennedy portrait into the Entrance and Cross halls, we came upon an indoor forest of Christmas treasure.

Thousands of red ornaments lined the hallway and graced the trees' deep green branches. The scene was so rich with Christmas spirit that we fully expected Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney to come out from behind the trees singing "White Christmas" at any second. The projected light on the ceiling added sparkle and pizzazz to a room that was already a full holiday palette. The presidential seal rising above the multilayered décor was a popular photo op for all.

This space was about 2,500 square feet of elegance and color. It was hard to absorb it all in the time allotted, but easy to love. We were the last two to leave for the day, and we lingered and looked as much as we could. We could have easily spent longer reflecting on all we had seen, but the business of the White House had to go on.

It was such a privilege and thrill to tour "The People's House" at Christmas. Even though we are very common people, we felt special because we had this opportunity. It was a great Christmas gift, indeed.

Other holiday sights in Washington, DC

The White House tour was the reason for the trip, but since we were there, we also took full advantage of some other DC Christmas traditions and offerings that we would recommend to others, including visiting the trees at the US Capitol, the Supreme Court and Union Station.

The United States Botanic Garden had a beautiful display of scale model monuments made entirely of plant material. The same artistic skill and methods were used to build the famous American train depots that were central to the garden's themed "All Aboard" model train exhibit.

We spent part of one evening at the National Christmas Tree located on The Ellipse between the White House and Washington Monument. The tree is surrounded by 56 smaller trees that border a winding walkway and represent each state and territory. Trains are also an integral part of the National Tree display, with multiple sets surrounding the tree's base. Live entertainment is frequently offered, and at dusk, the atmosphere is magical as the red and green lights of the tree glow in the foreground with either the lights of the White House or the evening sky in the background.

Overall, we were blessed with good weather, grand sights and memorable moments. We departed for the trip full of Christmas spirit and came back with even more.

And as an epilogue, our congressman was, coincidentally, on our Thursday evening flight home and our window seat paid dividends as we witnessed two shooting stars as we looked to the north. Or perhaps it was Santa making some practice runs before the big day? Anything is possible.

White House Christmas Tours

Christmas at the White House: Magic, Wonder, & Joy

The white house christmas tree arrival.

White House Christmas Photos

Every November, volunteers from across the country work diligently to decorate the White House for the holiday season. This is a tremendous effort by many dedicated and enthusiastic people. To get an idea of the amount of work involved, read this blog post or that blog post by former volunteers.

White House Christmas Decorations Video

White House Christmas Tour Booklet

The White House welcomes almost 50,000 visitors every year during the holiday season. Visitors receive an official White House Holiday guide. Scroll through the booklet below or download yours here :

White House Christmas Tour Tickets - 2024

White house holiday open house, national christmas tree lighting ceremony.

National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

The White House and President'S Park

Event Details

The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Lottery has closed. The last day to enter the lottery was November 8 at 3 pm (EST). Thank you to all our applicants and be on the lookout for an email with the lottery results announcement on November 15.

Event History

On November 30, 2023, the National Park Service and National Park Foundation will present the annual National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at President's Park in Washington, DC. 

This ceremony is a beloved holiday tradition dating back to Christmas Eve in 1923 when President Calvin Coolidge lit the first National Christmas Tree. 

Now, 100 years later, this tradition continues with musical performers and special guests bringing people together in one of America’s National Parks to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season. 

After the lighting ceremony and throughout the month of December, visitors are invited to view the National Christmas Tree, as well as the 58 surrounding trees honoring the states, territories, and District of Columbia.

Need to Know

Your email address is our primary means for notifying you of lottery results. To ensure you receive important messages related to the lottery, please update your email address and contact information before entering the lottery. Please also ensure you add Recreation.gov to your address book or safe senders list and check your “spam” or “junk mail” folder for notifications.

• Lottery Opens: November 1, 2023 (10am EST)
• Lottery Closes: November 8, 2023 (3pm EST)
• Lottery Results Announced: November 15, 2023
• Event Date: November 30, 2023
• There is no charge for entering the lottery
• Tickets are also free, but limited to 5 per household
• All attendees, regardless of age, are required to have a ticket
• Only one application allowed per household; all other applications will be voided
• Ensure your account contact information is correct and current as your email address will be used for lottery and ticket communications
• Results will be announced on November 8, and emails will be sent to all lottery winners with instructions on printing tickets for the event
• For more information, please visit https://thenationaltree.org or the NPS President’s Park National Christmas Tree page

Changes and Cancellations

There is no charge to apply for tickets to this event. 

Contact Information

Mailing address, phone number.

LOTTERY & EVENT CONTACT OPTIONS IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED SUPPORT WITH THE TICKET LOTTERY, THE QUICKEST WAY TO FIND THE ANSWER YOU’RE LOOKING FOR IS TO VISIT THE RECREATION.GOV HELP CENTER. FOR ADDITIONAL SUPPORT, YOU CAN REACH OUT TO RECREATION.GOV BY EMAIL, CHAT, OR OVER THE PHONE. CONTACT INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON THE CONTACT US PAGE. FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EVENT, PLEASE CALL THE WHITE HOUSE VISITOR CENTER AT 202–208–1631 OR VISIT THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WEBSITE AT WWW.NPS.GOV/WHHO.

Available Tours and Tickets

• Standing General Admission
• Seated General Admission
• National Christmas Tree Lighting Lottery
• Reserved Seating (Silver)
• Standing Area Overflow
• Reserved Seating (Red)
• Reserved Seating (Green)
• Reserved Seating (Blue)
• Reserved Seating (Gold)

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EXPLORE The Park

The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is held on the grounds of President’s Park, also home to the White House. As one of the over 400 sites protected and preserved by the National Park Service, the park has served many purposes throughout the years, from a field for infantry drills to the host to celebrations such as the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

With over 300 million visitors each year and over 85 million acres to protect, the National Park Service requires significant funding to ensure parks remain pristine and welcoming to all. Chartered by Congress in 1967 as the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, the National Park Foundation helps guide charitable giving to the greatest needs within the National Park Service, including supporting the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Learn about the work of the National Park Foundation by visiting the National Park Foundation website .

Views from the Park

White House at President's Park. NPS Photo

White House Visitor Center. White House Historical Association

View of the White House from Lafayette Park. NPS Photo

White House Gardens in bloom. NPS Photo

South Lawn of the White House. NPS Photo

White House Spring Garden Tour 2023 (NPS Photo / Kelsey Graczyk)

White House Kitchen Garden. NPS Photo / Marcey Frutchey

White House Visitor Center Lobby. NPS Photo

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Visiting President’s Park is a truly unique National Park Service experience. Need help planning your visit to President’s Park? During the holiday season or any time of year, you can always check out the park’s website for operating hours ,  things to do , and  contact information .

If you’re looking to tour the White House, make sure to plan in advance, and reference this guide to setting one up.

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Christmas at the White House

This post covers all of the ways you can celebrate Christmas around the White House in Washington, DC and has been updated for 2024.

For more ideas on what to do during the holiday season in our nation’s capital, be sure to check out our Christmas in DC--Holiday Lights and Markets post.

• Plan Your Visit
• What You'll See
• National Christmas Tree

WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS TOURS

The White House is very active during the holiday season and is beautifully decorated to celebrate Christmas.

White House Christmas Tours are available throughout the month of December (though any tour can be canceled at any time without notice) when visitors are given the opportunity to see how the public rooms have been festively decorated.

The White House has very limited public tours in December- you can still however see the White House decorations and National Christmas tree on your own or on our Downtown Holiday Lights tour . (We offer a walking tour AND a bus tour!)

Tip:  In addition to planning a White House Christmas Tour, check out our  free, self-guided tour  of the White House area and Lafayette Park!

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Free, public tours are available for US and foreign citizens for  White House Christmas Tours .

Self-guided tours are available from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays (excluding federal holidays or unless otherwise noted) and revolve around the White House schedule.

These tours are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis and can be obtained through contacting your US Member of Congress up to three months in advance and no less than 21 days in advance of requested tour date. Foreign visitors are encouraged to contact their Embassy in order to secure a White House tour.

For all of the other information you need on visiting the White House for a Christmas tour including a virtual White House tour and information on the White House Visitor Center (where you can purchase the official White House 2018 Christmas ornament!) make sure to check out our master post on  Visiting the White House. 

INSIDER TIP: If you cannot get a reservation in advance, you may try to get a Congressional  Member's Pass  distributed monthly by the White House Visitors Office.  

WHAT DO YOU SEE ON THE WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS TOUR

For a sneak peek, you can look at the 2017 Program for the White House Christmas Tours.

• East Wing and Movie Theatre - here you'll get a glimpse of the family recreation option in the Movie Theatre, only opened for the first time on this public tour for 2017. In the East Wing, you'll also see the collection of official Christmas Cards sent by past First Families, a tradition started in 1953 under President Eisenhower.
• Library - a personal favorite of ours, keep an eye out for President Teddy Roosevelt's personal copy of Dickens' A Christmas Story which he read here to his family during the holidays.
• Vermeil Room and China Room - a festive display of gifts from around the world and centuries and the china dinnerwear that served those who brought them.
• East Room - this is the largest of the rooms, and the one historically used for entertaining - which began during the Christmas season under President John Adams.
• Green, Blue, and Red Rooms - From local artisans to the official White House Christmas Tree, and a collection of sweet treats, these are some of the most popular stops on the tour!
• State Dining Room - Do you like gingerbread houses? This is where you'll find the traditional White House gingerbread house but don't try to taste it, even though it is made by the White House pastry chefs it is not for eating!
• Grand Foyer - For your final stop, this sparking room marks your exit from the White House with a musical backdrop of patriotic and holiday music.

AND DON'T FORGET .... you can take photos on White House tours! Celebrate the holiday season with this festive and unique thing to do in Washington DC !

HOW TO SEE THE NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE

Getting to the National Christmas Tree

Located on the Ellipse section of the President’s Park on the south side of the White House, the National Christmas is easily accessible by Metro Rail. The nearest stations to the tree are McPherson Square or Federal Triangle (both Blue/Orange/Silver lines).  

You can use this Google map for directions to the tree .

Tip: The National Christmas Tree is on the way to our tour starting point! Our National Mall Tour starts a block away from the Ellipse, so this is a perfect thing to do before or after joining us on a tour.

Visiting the National Christmas Tree is always free and welcoming to people of all ages!

The tree will be lit daily from dusk to 11pm (though the walkway is closed at 10pm Sun-Thur) yet the tree is always open to visitors if you are unable to make it in the evening when it is lit up.

ADDITIONAL ATTRACTIONS + HISTORY

Surrounding the National Tree are 56 additional smaller pine trees; one for each US state, territory, and the District of Columbia. This year, there are 56 schools from across the country who are participating in decorating one-of-a-kind ornaments to adorn each tree.

For more information on the ornaments and a list of participating schools, click here .

The National Christmas Tree and its lighting have been a holiday tradition since 1923 when President Calvin Coolidge was in office. Be sure to read more about the tree’s colorful history here .

Tip: While visiting the National Christmas Tree don’t miss the adjacent National Menorah! More information is available here .

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First lady Jill Biden unveils this year's White House Christmas decorations

Ayana Archie

The official Christmas tree, an 18-foot-tall Fraser Fir from Fleetwood, N.C., stands in the center of the oval Blue Room during a media preview of the 2023 holiday decorations at the White House on Monday. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images hide caption

The official Christmas tree, an 18-foot-tall Fraser Fir from Fleetwood, N.C., stands in the center of the oval Blue Room during a media preview of the 2023 holiday decorations at the White House on Monday.

A winter wonderland has arrived at the White House, as first lady Jill Biden unveiled this year's decorative theme for the Christmas season on Monday.

The theme, "Magic, Wonder, and Joy," is inspired by children's experiences of the season: "completely present in the beauty and bounty around them, their senses alight, with hearts open to the magic, wonder, and joy of the holidays," Biden said.

First lady Jill Biden speaks about the holiday season and unveils the White House holiday decor while thanking volunteers who helped set it up, at the White House on Monday. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images hide caption

First lady Jill Biden speaks about the holiday season and unveils the White House holiday decor while thanking volunteers who helped set it up, at the White House on Monday.

Throughout the White House grounds are 98 Christmas trees, almost 34,000 ornaments, 72 wreaths and about 142,000 holiday lights.

A longer Advent helps some Christians prepare for more than Christmas

The China Room is decorated to become the "White House Sweet Shop." The White House expects to welcome approximately 100,000 visitors during the holiday season. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images hide caption

The China Room is decorated to become the "White House Sweet Shop." The White House expects to welcome approximately 100,000 visitors during the holiday season.

Here are some of the decor highlights:

• The Blue Room displays the official White House tree, an 18.5 foot Fraser Fir that reaches from the floor to the ceiling and was sourced from North Carolina. The tree has the names of all the U.S. states, territories and Washington, D.C. A toy train chugs around the bottom of the tree.
• The ornaments on the Gold Star Christmas tree are engraved with the names of military servicemen who have died. 
• The marble arches in the Ground Floor Corridor are decorated with letters to Santa and holiday messages from around the country. Biden thanked the correspondence volunteers who keep in touch with Americans year round. This area also features various editions of the poem "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" by Clement Clarke Moore to commemorate its 200th anniversary. 
• The East Room , the largest room in the White House, features a Nativity scene and Advent calendars counting down the days to Christmas, with surprises behind each number. 
• The China Room is filled with sweet treats, such as cakes, cookies and gingerbread. 
• In the Red Room are ornaments that have the hand prints and family portraits of children who belong to military families. 
• The State Dining Room has a rendition of Santa's workshop, equipped with workbenches, stools and ladders leading up to the Christmas trees. The room also features a gingerbread replica of the White House. 

This family's game board is a treasured Hannukah relic

The ornaments on the Gold Star Christmas tree are engraved with the names of military servicemen who have died. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

The ornaments on the Gold Star Christmas tree are engraved with the names of military servicemen who have died.

More than 300 volunteers worked for over a week to decorate the White House.

To schedule a tour of the White House to see the decorations, you can email your House representative.

Santa Claus in his sleigh and a team of reindeer fly through the columns of the Entrance Hall of the White House. The theme for this year's White House decorations is "Magic, Wonder and Joy." Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images hide caption

Santa Claus in his sleigh and a team of reindeer fly through the columns of the Entrance Hall of the White House. The theme for this year's White House decorations is "Magic, Wonder and Joy."

A gingerbread White House is displayed in the State Dining Room. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images hide caption

A gingerbread White House is displayed in the State Dining Room.

"I know that [magic, wonder and joy] can feel hard to find sometimes as the days grow shorter and the weather grows colder, as our hearts grow heavy in the face of a tumultuous world, as we miss those who are no longer with us – an empty seat at the table of our holiday gatherings. But it's in these times when we are searching for hope and healing...that's when we need each other the most," Biden said.

• White House

Watch CBS News

White House Christmas decorations celebrate "We the People"

Updated on: December 25, 2022 / 9:27 AM EST / CBS News

The White House is lit up with the holiday spirit — more than 83,000 twinkling lights, to be precise. First lady Jill Biden unveiled the 2022 Christmas decorations on Nov. 28 and thanked volunteers from across the country who helped decorate the White House to celebrate the season. The theme selected for this year is "We the People."

In addition to thousands of lights, the White House is decked out with 77 trees, 25 wreaths on the exterior, and a glorious array of garlands, ornaments, glittering stars and gingerbread houses. 

Some 50,000 White House visitors, both tourists and invited guests, are expected to get a firsthand look this holiday season — and you can get a sneak peek here.

Holiday spirit

A military aide stands among the Christmas decorations in the State Dining Room at the White House on Nov. 28, 2022.

A very tall tree

The official White House Christmas Tree stands in the Blue Room.

The tree — an 18 1/2-foot Concolor fir from Auburn, Pennsylvania — is decorated with handmade renderings of the official birds of every U.S. state, territories, and the District of Columbia.

Annual tradition

Before it went up in the Blue Room, the official White House Christmas Tree was delivered by a horse-drawn wagon.

First lady Jill Biden welcomed the arrival of the tree with her grandson, Beau Biden, on Nov. 21, 2022.

The 18 1/2-foot-tall tree came from Auburn, Pennsylvania.

"We the People"

White House Christmas decorations on the theme "We the People" are seen here at the entrance to the East Wing.

Gold Star tree

Gold Star trees honor fallen U.S. military service members. The ornament seen here pays tribute to U.S. Navy Corpsman Meaghan Burns.

First lady Jill Biden was joined by National Guard leaders and families for the unveiling of the 2022 Christmas decorations. The Bidens' late son, Beau Biden, served in the Delaware Army National Guard.

"The President's Own" U.S. Marine Band

Lt. Col. Jason K. Fettig, director of "The President's Own" U.S. Marine Band, is seen with musicians during the media preview of the 2022 Holidays at the White House decor on Nov. 28, 2022.

Holidays at the White House

Christmas trees in the the Cross Hall of the White House are seen during the media preview on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022. This year's theme, "We the People," is expected to be seen by about 50,000 visitors during the holiday season.

Presidential portrait

An official portrait of former President Barack Obama hangs on the wall, seeming to gaze at the tree embellished with silver- and gold-colored ornaments in the Grand Foyer of the White House. 

The picture frames hanging on the tree feature calligraphy quoting from the preamble to the U.S. Constitution.

Inspired by the season

Trees intended to portray a first woodland snowfall line the East Colonnade.

The design also features handmade animal figures and glowing lanterns.

Center Hall lined with trees

Holiday decorations are seen in the Center Hall of the White House as a musician plays the harp during a media preview on Nov. 28, 2022. 

The White House is decked out with a total of 77 trees and more than 83,000 twinkling lights.

Meaningful trees

Gold Star trees are adorned with star-shaped ornaments bearing the names of fallen service members.

"The Gold Star trees honor the heroic men and women of our Nation's military who have laid down their lives for our country, those who are Missing in Action, and the families who carry on their legacies," the White House said .

Christmas tree ornaments on the theme "We the People" are seen at the White House on Nov. 28, 2022.

Some 50,000 visitors are expected to pass through the White House during the holidays, including tourists and guests invited to various receptions.

Celebrating America's parks

A display of decorations in the East Room of the White House celebrates U.S. National Parks, including this one representing the Great Smoky Mountains.

Tree in the Blue Room

The White House Christmas Tree is displayed in the Blue Room. The oval-shaped parlor has been used for official receptions for more than two centuries.

This year's tree is an 18 1/2-foot Concolor fir from Auburn, Pennsylvania. 

Family stockings

Biden family stockings hang from the mantel in the State Dining Room of the White House, under a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln.

East Room decor

Christmas trees and decorations are displayed in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C. The theme for the 2022 holiday decor is "We the People."

Christmas trees line a hall as snowflakes dazzle overhead at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 28, 2022.

Gold Star decor

Gold Star trees honor fallen U.S. military service members, here including U.S. Army National Guard Sergeant Matthew McClintock and U.S. Army Corporal Daniel Gionet, at the White House. 

Honoring fallen troops

Gold Star trees honor fallen U.S. military service members, here including U.S. Air Force Sergeant Marshal Roberts, at the White House.

Sounds of the season

The U.S. Marine Band plays among Christmas trees in the Grand Foyer at the White House as the holiday decor is unveiled on Nov. 28, 2022.

The Green Room

A small decorated Christmas tree stands in the middle of the Green Room of the White House during a media preview on Nov. 28, 2022. 

Throughout the executive mansion, 77 trees are on display.

State Dining Room decor

Biden family stockings hang from the mantel in the State Dining Room as the White House is decorated for Christmas 2022. 

The trees in this room are decorated with self-portraits of the students of the 2021 Teachers of the Year, "ensuring that children see themselves" in the décor, the White House said.

White House ornament

This official White House Christmas ornament is seen decorating a tree in the China Room of the White House on Nov. 28, 2022. The theme of the holiday decor is "We the People."

Doggie decor

The Biden family's dog, Commander, figures prominently in this holiday display at the White House. 

Family recipe decorations

Trees decorated with Biden family recipes are seen in the China Room of the White House. First lady Jill Biden unveiled this year's Christmas decorations, on the theme "We the People."

Gingerbread White House

This gingerbread White House is a highlight of the Christmas decorations.

The display includes a sugar cookie replica of Philadelphia's Independence Hall, where the Constitution and Declaration of Independence were signed. The Constitution opens with the phrase, "We the People" — the theme of this year's holiday decor.

White House Christmas Tree

The White House Christmas Tree is seen during a press tour on Nov. 28, 2022. 

Thousands of guests will take part in this year's holiday receptions hosted by President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden.

The Grand Foyer

Christmas trees and decorations are on display in the Grand Foyer of the White House during a media preview on Nov. 28, 2022. 

White House wreaths

Christmas wreaths adorn the outside of the White House in Washington, D.C.

Commander and Willow

The 2022 White House Christmas decorations include this display representing the Biden family dog Commander and cat Willow.

East Collonade transformed

The decorative trees lining the East Colonnade of the White House are intended to represent a first woodland snowfall.

Cross Hall decor

Christmas decorations are displayed in the Cross Hall of the White House on Nov. 28, 2022.

"Mirrored ornaments and reflective surfaces ensure that visitors can see themselves in the décor, noting that the strength of our country — the Soul of our Nation — comes from 'We the People,'" the White House said.

Horse-drawn wagon

The official 2022 White House Christmas Tree arrived at the White House in Washington, D.C., on a horse-drawn wagon on Nov. 21, 2022.

The tree is an 18 1/2-foot Concolor fir from Auburn, Pennsylvania.

The National Christmas Tree

On the Ellipse outside the White House sits another enormous tree — the National Christmas Tree. President Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden took part the annual tree lighting ceremony on Nov. 30, 2022.

This year's National Christmas Tree is a Colorado Blue Spruce from Pennsylvania.

"A spirit of joy"

President Biden spoke at the National Christmas Tree Lighting, with the first lady by his side, on Nov. 30, 2022.

He reflected on the "We the People" theme at the White House this holiday season, saying "we've come together in a spirit of joy," and that "our greatest strength is Americans standing united." 

Decor on display

An array of winter-themed Christmas decorations are on display at the White House in Washington, D.C.

Festive window decor

Christmas decorations are seen hanging in the window of the Green Room of the White House during a media preview on Nov. 28, 2022. 

Mantel full of stockings

The traditional Biden family stockings are hung from the fireplace mantel in the State Dining Room of the White House.

White House decorations

A gingerbread White House is seen beneath a large wreath in the State Dining Room as the annual White House Christmas decorations are unveiled.

Holiday visit

President Joe Biden looks on as first lady Jill Biden reads a story during a holiday visit with patients and families at Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C., on December 23, 2022.

–The Associated Press contributed reporting.

MyHouse Hanging White Bell

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Crafted with premium materials, the MyHouse® Hanging White Bell will make a stunning addition to your Christmas tree. With its traditional design, this bell decoration is perfect for adding detail to your Christmas tree. Pair the MyHouse® Hanging White Bell with baubles and tree decorations in deep reds, forest greens, shimmering golds, and snowy white to style a tree worthy of Times Square. Shop the MyHouse® Christmas range for more beautiful holiday homewares.

Our Traditional Christmas theme showcases deep reds, forest greens, shimmering golds with cosy velvet accents and luxurious glitter details to encapsulate the feeling of cosy holiday evenings spent with loved ones. Our range of hand-picked baubles, wreaths, and table decor are designed in-house with every detail considered to ensure festive joy year after year. Complement your Christmas decor collection with pieces from the MyHouse® range to tell a jolly, inviting Christmas story in your home.

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Care instructions, frequently asked questions, how do i choose the right cookware set.

To cook stress-free and with the ability to follow many delicious recipes, there are certain basics that no kitchen should ever be lacking. A well-rounded selection of essential cookware allowing you to create delicious dishes from your favourite cooking magazine to secret family recipes to the latest viral TikTok trends looks something like this: 2 x Saucepans with Lids + 2 x Frying Pans + 1 x Stockpot with Lid + 1 x Sauté Pan with Lid. For more information, head on over to our Blog and then Guides.

How do I choose the right knives for my kitchen?

Whatever the task may be, there is a knife suitable for every job and some are more specific than others. Whether you’re a beginner or an aspiring professional, you can agree that every knife has its purpose. When starting a toolkit, you may want to start with a singular more universal knife like a Santoku or chef’s knife, which you can them complement with a few different sizes of utility knives and a bread knife. The downside is finding a safe spot to store the knives. Becoming increasing popular are knife blocks. For anyone looking for their first set of knives, we recommend starting with a 6 or 7-piece knife block, which features all your essential knives in one set: 1x paring knife + 1x utility knife + 1x santoku knife + 1x carving knife + 1x chef’s knife + 1x kitchen shear (optional). For more information, head on over to our Blog and then Guides.

How do I care for my sheets?

All Sheet Set fabrics need to be cared for differently. Whether it’s linen, cotton, bamboo or sateen sheet sets, we have developed care instructions tailored to each fabrication. If you head to the Sheet Sets category and select a product of interest, you’ll see individual care instructions listed for each sheet set. This will ensure your sheets are given the perfect level of care to assist you in getting the perfect night’s sleep.

How often should I replace my pillows?

Bedding is more than something soft to lie on and under, it takes care of our health too. We recommend replacing your pillows after one year, as after this time they will begin to become less supportive and cleanly which will affect your quality of sleep and quality of life. The best way to extend the life of your pillows is by using a pillow protector, which offers an additional protective barrier against dust and oils. In addition, if you get into the habit of plumping your pillows daily, this will prevent them from losing shape – by following these steps you will ensure that your pillows only need replacing every two years, rather than every year.

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The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500

Visit The White House

The President and Dr. Biden are delighted to welcome members of the public to tour the White House. Public tour requests are scheduled through your Member of Congress and their Congressional Tour Coordinator. Constituents may reach your Member of Congress and Congressional Tour Coordinator through the U.S. House of Representatives Switchboard at 202-225-3121, the U.S. Senate Switchboard at 202-224-3121, or online at  www.congress.gov/members .

Consistent with prior practices, public White House tour requests must be submitted a minimum of 21 days in advance and no more than 90 days in advance of the requested tour date(s). Reservations cannot be accepted for tour dates outside this 21 – 90-day window.  

Public tours are typically available from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, excluding Federal holidays or unless otherwise noted. If your tour is confirmed, please note that you will be assigned a specific time.  All White House tours are free of charge. The White House tour schedule is subject to change, with little notice, based on inclement weather or official use.

If you are a citizen of a foreign country, please contact your embassy in Washington, D.C. for assistance in submitting a tour request.

Identification Requirements

All U.S. citizens ages 18 and older, and foreign nationals of all ages (including children), must present a valid, government-issued photo ID upon arrival for their tour. Acceptable forms of identification are below.

U.S. CITIZENS

• United States Driver’s License
• Valid United States Passport
• United States Military ID

FOREIGN NATIONALS

• Valid Passport
• Alien Registration Card
• Permanent Resident Card
• U.S. State Department Issued Diplomatic ID Card

A U.S. driver’s license is not an acceptable form of identification for foreign nationals. No foreign-issued state IDs, foreign-issued driver’s licenses, expired passports, photocopies, other transmissions of these documents, or other forms of identification will be accepted. Individuals without acceptable identification, or whose identification does not exactly match the information previously registered, may be denied entry.

Prohibited Items

• Bags of any kind (including fanny packs and clutches)
• Cameras with detachable lenses
• Electric stun guns
• E-cigarettes
• Knives of any kind
• Martial arts
• Tobacco Products
• Toy Weapons
• Video cameras
• Weapons/devices
• Any pointed object
• Any other item determined to be a potential safety hazard

Please note that storage facilities are not provided during your visit. Individuals who arrive with bags or prohibited items will not be permitted to enter the White House.

Permitted Items

• Baby carriers worn on the body
• Breast pumps
• Cell phones
• Compact cameras with lenses less than 3 inches
• Umbrellas without metal tips
• All items needed for medical purposes (i.e. wheelchairs, EpiPens, medication, etc.)

Getting Here

Use of public transportation is strongly encouraged, as there is no parking available on the White House complex and street parking is limited. The closest Metrorail stations to the White House are Federal Triangle (blue and orange lines), Metro Center (blue, orange, silver, and red lines), and McPherson Square (blue, orange, and silver lines).

The White House Tour entrance is located in Sherman Park at 15th Street NW and Alexander Hamilton Place NW. If arriving by rideshare, use the White House Visitor Center (WHVC) as the drop-off address. The WHVC is located at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20230, which is one block from the White House.

Restrooms are located at the White House Visitors Center, located at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20230. There are no restrooms available once you arrive for your tour.

Accessibility

The White House tour route is wheelchair accessible. Visitors who wish to use a White House wheelchair should notify a U.S. Secret Service officer upon arrival.

Guide animals are permitted in the White House.

Health and Safety Guidance

Guests who receive a confirmed tour reservation will be issued a White House Tour Pass ahead of their tour date containing pertinent health and safety guidance.

Know Before You Go

• Tours are self-guided and last approximately 45 minutes
• Eat a snack and stay hydrated prior to arrival.
• Dress for the weather, knowing you will be outside before your tour.
• Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time.
• No late arrivals are accepted.
• All guests must be previously registered via the RSVP link provided by the White House.
• Please silence your cell phone and refrain from phone calls during the tour.
• No flash photography or video recording is permitted during your tour.
• Visitors may call the 24-hour Visitors Office information line at 202-456-7041 for latest updates and information relevant to White House tours.

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Last updated: October 25, 2022

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1849 C Street NW Room 1426 Washington, DC 20240

202 208-1631

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