The Capitol Christmas Tree, formerly the Capitol Holiday Tree and nicknamed the People’s Tree, is the decorated tree that is erected annually on the West Front Lawn of the United States Capitol, in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the Christmas holiday season. The selection, installation, and decoration of the tree are all overseen by the Superintendent of the Capitol Grounds of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC).
The tree is traditionally lit by the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, accompanied by an essay contest winner during a ceremony at the beginning of December or even at the end of November, and remains lit each night through New Year's Day. By tradition, the President and Vice President of the United States or celebrity guests will not attend the tree lighting ceremony.
History Records of the AOC indicate that a Christmas Tree was purchased in 1919; however, it was not until 1964, one year after the suggestion of John W. McCormack, the 53rd Speaker of the House, that a procedure was established for the installation of a yearly tree.
The 1963 tree was a live Douglas-fir, purchased from a Pennsylvania nursery. It was re-decorated each year through 1967 when it was severely damaged in a wind storm and subsequently died as a result of root damage. After the 1963 tree died, white pines from Maryland were cut down and put on display for the 1968 and 1969 seasons. Beginning in 1970, trees have been provided by the U.S. Forest Service from various National Forests.
In the late 1990s, the Capitol Christmas Tree was renamed to the Capitol Holiday Tree. There was never a clear explanation as to why the name change occurred, but the name change raised controversy. On November 29, 2005, the day after the 2005 tree arrived from New Mexico, the tree was renamed the Capitol Christmas Tree at the request of Dennis Hastert, the 59th Speaker of the House.
Traditionally, the tree is lit following a 5-second countdown and the tree lighting ceremony has been followed by the playing of "O Tannenbaum".
Trees Year Species Height Location grown State Notes 2025 Red Fir Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest NevadaThis is the first time that the People's Tree comes from the State of Nevada. 2024 Sitka Spruce Tongass National Forest Alaska 2023 Norway Spruce Monongahela National Forest West Virginia 2022 Red Spruce Pisgah National Forest North Carolina The tree was lit for the final time by the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, accompanied by Coche Tiger, on November 29, during a ceremony on the West Front Lawn beginning at 5 p.m. It was harvested on November 2 and arrived at the U.S. Capitol on November 18, at 10 a.m. The AOC's Capitol Grounds and Arboretum team were secure the tree and decorate it with thousands of handcrafted ornaments from the people of North Carolina. The tree remained lit from nightfall until 11 p.m. each evening through January 1, 2023. 2021 White fir Six Rivers National Forest California The tree was lit on December 1. It was harvested on October 23 and arrived at the West Front Lawn on November 19, the tree was installed and decorated by the Architect of the Capitol's grounds team. For the second year in a row, the tree remained lit from nightfall until 11 p.m. every night through Christmas. 2020 Engelmann Spruce Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests Colorado The tree was lit at a public ceremony on December 2. It was harvested on November 5 and arrived at the U.S. Capitol on November 20 after traveling cross-country by truck. Decorates it with thousands of handcrafted ornaments from the people of Colorado. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the tree remained lit from nightfall to 11 pm each night through Christmas, instead of January 1, 2021. 2019 Blue spruce Carson National Forest New Mexico 2018 Noble Fir Willamette National Forest Oregon 2017 Engelmann Spruce Kootenai National Forest Montana 2016 Engelmann Spruce Payette National Forest Idaho The tree was lit at a public ceremony on Dec. 6. Thousands of LED lights and 6,000 ornaments made by children in Idaho were hung on the tree. The ornaments represent things relevant to Idaho, including salmon and pine cones. 2015 Lutz Spruce Chugach National Forest Alaska The first Capitol Christmas Tree from Alaska. 2014 White Spruce Chippewa National Forest Minnesota 2013 Engelmann Spruce Colville National Forest Washington 2012 Engelmann Spruce White River National Forest Colorado The 2012 theme 'Celebrating Our Great Outdoors' will be highlighted in the decoration of the tree. It is expected to be lit by Speaker John Boehner during a ceremony in early December. 2011 Sierra white fir Stanislaus National Forest California Lit by John Boehner on December 6. Decorated with approximately 3,000 ornaments, showcasing the tree's theme "California Shines," made by people from across California. The entire tree was decorated using strands of LEDs. 2010 Engelmann Spruce Bridger-Teton National Forest Wyoming Lit by Nancy Pelosi on December 7. Decorated with approximately 5,000 ornaments, showcasing the tree's theme "Wyoming: Forever West," made by people from across Wyoming. The entire tree was decorated using strands of LEDs. 2009 Blue spruce Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests ArizonaJoined by Kaitlyn Ferencik, from Canyon Ridge Elementary School in Surprise, Arizona, Nancy Pelosi lit the tree in a ceremony on December 8. The tree was felled in early November, and delivered to Washington on November 30. The tree was decorated with 10,000 LEDs, and 5,000 ornaments crafted and donated by the people of Arizona.