Star-Studded 94th Annual National Christmas Tree Lighting Scheduled for December 1

Eva Longoria will host the 94th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony and Marc Anthony, Afro Blue, and the Airmen of Note will join Chance the Rapper, Kelly Clarkson, Yolanda Adams, James Taylor, The Lumineers, Garth Brooks, and Trisha Yearwood in performing a collection of holiday favorites.

Taking place on Thursday, December 1, on the Ellipse at President's Park (White House), the special event wraps the National Park Service Centennial year and celebrates the launch of a second century of discovery and stewardship. Through a partnership with the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's national parks, the National Christmas Tree Lighting will be televised exclusively on Hallmark Channel on Monday, December 5.

The National Tree Lighting tradition began in November, 1923, when First Lady Grace Coolidge gave permission for the District of Columbia Public Schools to erect a Christmas tree on the Ellipse south of the White House. The organizers named the tree the "National Christmas Tree." That Christmas Eve, President Calvin Coolidge walked from the White House to the Ellipse to light a 48-foot fir tree decorated with 2,500 electric bulbs in red, white and green, as a local choir and a "quartet" from the U.S. Marine Band performed. 93 years later, this American holiday tradition continues to bring citizens together to share in a message of hope and peace.

The grand illumination of the Christmas lights on the tree by the President of the United States early in December is now an annual event. Every president since Franklin D. Roosevelt has made formal remarks and lights the tree during the tree lighting ceremony.

During the WWII years of 1942-1945, the tree was decorated but not lit as a part of the country's war effort to save energy.

Since 1954, the event has marked the start of month-long festivities known as the Pageant of Peace. Smaller trees representing the U.S. states, District of Columbia, and the five territories around the National Christmas Tree are referred to as the Pathway to Peace

The National Christmas Tree Lighting is a great example of the countless ways there are to #FindYourPark. Launched in March 2015, Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque is a public awareness and education movement to inspire people to connect with, celebrate, and support America's national parks and community-based programs. Celebrating the National