Every year since the tradition began in 1967, the U.S. Capitol has turned to the Architect of the Capitol and the Forest Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide a Christmas Tree that would be presented to the nation on the front lawn, just a few steps from the Capitol building.
This year’s tree, a 53-foot red fir named ‘Silver Belle’, has just arrived in the District after a 3-week journey that included 10 stops across the country after it was selected to be “The People’s Tree” back in October.
Where did this year’s Capitol Christmas Tree come from?
This year’s tree is coming all the way from the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada, the very first Capitol Christmas Tree to ever be sourced from the ‘Silver State’.
The now-famous red fir was driven from its home in Nevada all the way to the District over the past few weeks:
- Saturday, Nov. 1: Nevada Day Parade/Carson City, Nevada
- Sunday, Nov. 2: Lovelock and Elko, Nevada
- Monday, Nov. 3: Ely, Nevada
- Tuesday, Nov. 4: Las Vegas, Nevada
- Friday, Nov. 7: Flagstaff, Arizona
- Saturday, Nov. 8: Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Sunday, Nov. 9: Amarillo, Texas
- Monday, Nov. 10: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Tuesday, Nov. 11: Lenexa, Kansas
- Wednesday, Nov. 12: St. Louis, Missouri
- Friday, Nov. 14: Paducah, Kentucky
- Saturday, Nov. 15: Lexington, Kentucky
- Thursday, Nov. 20: Joint Base Andrews, Maryland (*base access only)
When is the Capitol Christmas Tree lighting ceremony?
The exact date of the Capitol Christmas Tree lighting ceremony has not yet been announced, but it has been shared that it will take place in early December.
Traditionally, it tends to take place within the first week of the month; last year, the tree lighting ceremony was held on Tuesday, December 3rd, at 5 pm on the Capitol’s West Front Lawn.
While it may not take place at the same time or on the same date this year, you can monitor the Capitol Christmas Tree’s official website for updates!