Photos: The lighting of the national holiday tree
President Barack Obama and other luminaries celebrated as the National Christmas Tree lights were turned on.
The lighting of the national holiday tree
The National Christmas Tree with the White House in the background as seen from the Ellipse after President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, daughters Sasha and Malia, and mother-in-law Marian Robinson lit the tree at the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony across from the White House in Washington, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
The lighting of the national holiday tree
Malia Obama, center, and Sasha Obama, right, join performers during a song at the 91st annual National Christmas Tree Lighting on the Ellipse of the National Mall in Washington, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/MCT)
The lighting of the national holiday tree
President Barack Obama and the first family join performers during the 91st annual National Christmas Tree Lighting on the Ellipse of the National Mall in Washington, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/MCT)
The lighting of the national holiday tree
President Barack Obama and the first family turn onthe light during the 91th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting on the Ellipse of the National Mall in Washington, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/MCT)
The lighting of the national holiday tree
President Barack Obama speaks during the National Christmas Tree during the 2013 National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The lighting of the national holiday tree
A rain falls, President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, and their daughters Sasha, second from right, and Malia, left, react as they light the National Christmas Tree during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at the Ellipse in Washington, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The lighting of the national holiday tree
From left, Santa, violinist and conductor Joshua Bell, soprano Renee Fleming, President Barack Obama, singer and musician Janelle Monáe, and singer and songwriter Mariah Carey holding her daughter Monroe, dance with a young dancer and the end of the 2013 National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The lighting of the national holiday tree
As rain falls, President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, their daughters Sasha, third from right, Malia, left, and Michelle Obama's mother Marian Robinson, second from right, call out as they light the National Christmas Tree during the 2013 National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at the Ellipse in Washington, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The lighting of the national holiday tree
As they arrive, President Barack Obama holds hand with his daughter Malia as he eyes the switch atop a pedestal to light the National Christmas Tree during the 2013 National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at the Ellipse in Washington, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The lighting of the national holiday tree
President Barack Obama speaks at the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony across from the White House in Washington, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
The lighting of the national holiday tree
Emcee actress Jane Lynch talks on stage at the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony across from the White House in Washington, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
The lighting of the national holiday tree
President Barack Obama, speaks as the National Christmas Tree glows behind him during the 2013 National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The lighting of the national holiday tree
From left, Santa, violinist and conductor Joshua Bell, soprano Renee Fleming, President Barack Obama, singer and musician Janelle Monáe, and singer and songwriter Mariah Carey holding her daughter Monroe, dance with a young girl and the end of the 2013 National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at the Ellipse in Washington, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The lighting of the national holiday tree
The Avett Brothrs perform at the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony across from the White House in Washington, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
The lighting of the national holiday tree
Entertainer Aretha Franklin sings at the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony across from the White House in Washington, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
The lighting of the national holiday tree
President Barack Obama, speaks as the National Christmas Tree glows behind him during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The lighting of the national holiday tree
First lady Michelle Obama reads “Twas The Night Before Christmas” with muppet Abby Cadabby to children on stage during the 2013 National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at the Ellipse in Washington, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The lighting of the national holiday tree
President Barack Obama greets Santa on stage as the lit National Christmas Tree glows behind them at the Ellipse in Washington, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The lighting of the national holiday tree
First lady Michelle Obama reads “Twas The Night Before Christmas” with muppet Abby Cadabby to children on stage during the 2013 National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at the Ellipse near teh White House in Washington, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The lighting of the national holiday tree
Arturo Sandoval performs at the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony across from the White House in Washington, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
The lighting of the national holiday tree
As the rain falls, President Barack Obama and his daughter Malia, left, react after lighting the National Christmas Tree during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The lighting of the national holiday tree
Singer Mariah Carey performs during the National Christmas Tree Lighting on the Ellipse of the National Mall in Washington, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/MCT)
The lighting of the national holiday tree
Singer Mariah Carey performs during the National Christmas Tree Lighting on the Ellipse of the National Mall in Washington, Dec. 6, 2013. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/MCT)
The lighting of the national holiday tree
The National Christmas Tree is seen after illumination at the National Christmas Tree Lighting on the Ellipse of the National Mall in Washington, Dec. 6, 2013. President Barack Obama and others attended the event, which included entertainment before the lighting of the National Christmas Tree. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/MCT)
The lighting of the national holiday tree
President Barack Obama and the first family join performers, including Mariah Carey, rihgt, at the 91st annual National Christmas Tree Lighting on the Ellipse of the National Mall in Washington, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/MCT)
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