christmas white house tour

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

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

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.

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Reserve Your Spot with Confidence! Full Refunds with 24 Hrs Notice. Reschedule at any point, even after tour, if space allows!

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 2022.

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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White House Tours: What to Expect when You Visit

The most important thing to know about White House tours is that the require serious planning. Check out our post about how to request White House tickets from your Member of Congress.

The second most important thing to know is what you’re going to see and what you are not. White House tours are an unguided walk and does not include the West Wing. So, unless you are friends with someone in the current presidential administration, you will not get to see the oval office, situation room, or any of the other spaces in the West Wing.

You got White House tickets, now what?

Once you have your confirmed reservation, make sure to review your all the paperwork you get from the White House very carefully. This paperwork will tell you exactly what to bring and also exactly what is prohibited. On the day of your assigned tour, show up on 15th Street NW at least 15 minutes before your assigned time. Photos are allowed on White House tours. However, you are not allowed to take videos.

White House security – what to expect

Security at the White House is tight. There are multiple security checkpoints before you can enter the building. The first checkpoint is the name check, where you will show your photo ID and Secret Service will check your name off the reservation list. Then, you will stand in line to have your photo taken. After that, you will stand in line for the second security check where they have the airport style metal detector. You should plan to spend 30 minutes to an hour in security lines depending on how early in the day your assigned time is.

A very crucial trip hack is to use the restroom before getting in line. The White House has no public restrooms. If there is a restroom emergency, you have to leave the White House grounds and go through the whole security process all over again. The closest public restroom is in the White House Visitor Center at 15th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

What you see during White House tours

Once you clear security, you will enter the East Wing. Once you enter, you will see a corridor of pictures of past presidents. You will also see some photos of first families and first pets.

After that, you will be able to peek into some of the ground floor rooms like the Library, the China Room, the Map room and Vermeil Room. Unfortunately, you are not allowed to enter any of these rooms.

After that, you will go up and you can walk through the rooms on the state floor. First, there is the East Room which is the biggest room in the White House. The East Room is used for ceremonies, receptions, and has hosted several weddings. The Green Room is next – it is a parlor often used to serve cocktails during the reception. Then, there is the Blue Room which is where the president and first lady often receives guests. The Blue Room is where the White House Christmas tree is located. The Red Room is a small parlor and a personal favorite of some former first ladies. Finally, you will then see the State Dining Room which can host up to 130 people. Then, you will exit through the north side of the building.

How long White House tours take

Since White House tours are unguided, you can take as much time as you need to see everything. However, the average person takes 30-45 minutes. There are no tour guides. But, the Secret Service are stationed in all of the rooms and people do ask them questions. They go through special training and do their best to answer everyone’s questions.

Coming to Washington, DC and want us to show you around? Trip Hacks DC was founded by Rob, a veteran tour guide in the Nation’s Capital. Trip Hacks DC provides tips, tricks and travel hacks for planning your trip; and guided tours to show you around once you get here. Our tours are family and school group friendly and our guides specialize in the major Washington, DC sites.  Click here to check out the upcoming tour options  and to book your tour here today!  Feel free to contact us if you have any tour questions.

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White House Christmases Past

The White House observance of Christmas before the twentieth century was not an official event. First families decorated the house modestly with greens and privately celebrated the Yuletide with family and friends. The first White House Christmas tree, decorated with candles and toys, was placed in the second floor oval room, then used as a library and family parlor, in 1889 for President Benjamin Harrison and his family. In 1894, three years after electricity was introduced in the White House, the first electric lights on a family tree delighted the young daughters of President Grover Cleveland. In 1912, President William H. Taft's children helped decorate the first tree on the State Floor in the Blue Room.

The White House at Christmas traditionally has been a magical place for children. From the earliest times memorable parties have been held for the president's children or grandchildren. One of the most elaborate was President Andrew Jackson's "frolic" for the children of his household in 1835. This party included games, dancing, a grand dinner, and ended with an indoor "snowball fight" with specially made cotton balls.

President Theodore and First Lady Edith Roosevelt hosted a "carnival" during the 1903 Christmas season for 500 children including dinner, dancing, musical entertainment, souvenirs, and a special treat in the form of ice cream formed in the shape of Santa and other Christmas novelties. One popular myth suggests that Theodore Roosevelt "banned" Christmas trees at the White House, but there is little evidence to support this beyond the Roosevelts not putting up a tree. The Roosevelts traditionally celebrated the holiday with gifts, church service, and a family meal, but they did not celebrate with a tree. In 1902, Archie Roosevelt snuck a small tree into the White House and hid it upstairs in a closet. He later revealed the decorated tree to his family, starting a new family tradition. The president was amused and allowed it to continue while the family lived at the White House. Historians, commentators, and writers later reasoned that Roosevelt didn’t have a large tree because of his beliefs in conservationism, when in fact it was because the family did not traditionally celebrate Christmas with a tree. The custom of a "Christmas tree" in every house is a relatively modern one.

In 1961, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy began the tradition of selecting a theme for the official White House Christmas tree. She chose a “Nutcracker Suite” theme that featured ornamental toys, birds, and angels modeled after Pyotr Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker" ballet. The ornaments were made by disabled volunteers and senior citizen craftspeople throughout the United States.

In 1962, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy reused many of the Nutcracker ornaments for her children's theme tree. Set up in the Entrance Hall, this festive tree featured brightly wrapped packages, candy canes, gingerbread cookies, and straw ornaments.

In both 1965 and 1966, First Lady Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson’s Blue Room Christmas trees were decorated with an early American theme. The 1966 tree (pictured above) featured thousands of small traditional ornaments, including nuts, fruit, popcorn, dried seedpods, gingerbread cookies, and wood roses from Hawaii. Paper-maché angels graced the tops both the trees. For the 1967 holiday season, Mrs. Johnson used Santa Claus cookies, soldiers, snowmen, dolls, tinsel, silver balls, silver stars and round mirrors. In 1968, traditional American ornaments were used, along with popcorn strings, children’s toys, gingerbread, seedpods, and others from previous years.

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First Lady Patricia Nixon ‘s 1969 "American Flower Tree" stood in the North Entrance. Disabled workers in Florida made velvet and satin balls representing the fifty states and their respective flowers. For the 1970 Blue Room tree, the American Flower ornaments were used along with fifty-three "Monroe" gold foil lace fans—inspired by James and Elizabeth Monroe’s portraits in the Blue Room. In 1971, 144 gold foil angels joined these trimmings. First Lady Patricia Nixon’s 1972 Christmas theme drew upon two White House collection paintings by Severin Roesen: Still Life with Fruit and Nature's Bounty . The tree featured fifty velvet-covered state balls, 3,000 satin finish balls, and 150 gold Federal stars. A 1973 "gold" theme tree with gold bead strings and balls honored President James Monroe, who bought gilded tableware for the White House in 1817.

In 1975, First Lady Betty Ford selected the theme "An Old-Fashioned Christmas in America," also referred to as "A Williamsburg Children's Christmas" for the tree that year (pictured above). Colonial Williamsburg staff and volunteers contributed a majority of the nearly 3,000 ornaments that decorated the Douglas fir, using materials such as dried flowers and fruit, acorns, pinecones, straw, and yarn. The Museum of American Folk Art lent the White House ten antique portraits of children to place on the walls of the Blue Room, as well as an assortment of old toys, dolls, cradles, a train, rocking horse, and a wagon to place around the base of the tree. In 1976, the tree featured more than 2,500 handmade flowers, including the flowers of all fifty states.

First Lady Rosalynn Carter explored a variety of holiday themes during her time at the White House. Her 1977 Blue Room tree featured painted milkweed pods, nut pods, foil, and eggshell ornaments made by members of the National Association for Retarded Citizens.

In 1978, First Lady Rosalynn Carter decorated an "antique toy" tree with Victorian dolls and miniature furniture lent by the Margaret Woodbury Strong Museum. In 1979, she honored American Folk Art of the Colonial period with 500 handmade ornaments. She revived a Victorian theme in 1980 with dolls, dollhouses, parasols, nosegays, hats, fans, tapestries and laces, representing a turn-of-the-century American Christmas.

First Lady Nancy Reagan’s official 1981 Blue Room tree featured animal ornaments made of tin, fabric, and wood. The Museum of American Folk Art in New York provided many of the wooden ornaments for the tree. In 1982, First Lady Nancy Reagan arranged for groups of teenagers involved in Second Genesis, a drug treatment program in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, to make foil paper cones and metallic snowflakes for the tree.

In 1983, First Lady Nancy Reagan re-used the foil paper cones and metallic snowflakes on a tree featuring old-fashioned toys, dollhouses, and miniature furniture lent by the Margaret Woodbury Strong Museum (pictured above). In 1984, volunteers from Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, along with staff of the Brandywine River Museum, fashioned some 2,800 ornaments out of plant and natural materials. The 1985 tree featured 1,500 ornaments made by staff and Second Genesis volunteers out of Christmas cards sent to the Reagans in 1984.

In 1986, volunteers from Second Genesis made fifteen soft-sculpture nursery rhyme scenes and over 100 ornaments for a "Mother Goose" tree. For the 1987 "musical" tree, they decorated miniature instruments, notes, and sheet music. For First Lady Nancy Reagan’s 1988 “old–fashion” tree (pictured above), White House carpenters made 300 wooden candles, and hand-blown glass ornaments were reused from the Dwight Eisenhower administration and the Nixon state flower balls from 1969.

First Lady Barbara Bush chose a theme of "children’s literacy" for the Blue Room Christmas tree of 1989. She had the Executive Residence staff create 80 soft-sculpture characters from popular storybooks. Tiny books completed the motif, and below the tree’s branches were books wrapped with bows.

In 1990, First Lady Barbara Bush revived "The Nutcracker" with little porcelain dancers and ballet slippers. White House florists dressed the figurines, and a castle from the Land of Sweets was constructed by White House craftspeople. The Saintly Stitchers of St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, assisted the staff with the "needle work" tree of 1991. They created a needlepoint village and 1,200 needlepoint ornaments, including the figures for a wooden Noah's Ark built by staff carpenters. For the 1992 tree theme of "Gift-Givers," White House florists fashioned 88 different "gift-giving" characters such as St. Nicholas, the Three Wise Men, and the Bishop of Myra.

In 1993, the theme was “Year of the American Craft.” The Clintons invited artisans to make original works of art and ornaments out of fiber, ceramics, glass, metal and wood. In 1994, the theme was “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Over 2,000 ornaments were made, each representing the whimsical gifts referenced in the popular holiday song. In 1995, Mrs. Clinton based the tree decorations after the popular nineteenth-century poem, "Twas the Night Before Christmas" (pictured above). The Fraser fir featured nearly 3,500 handmade ornaments related to the poem, such as miniature houses, chimneys, rooftops, and shutters made by students from across the country. This photograph of President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton posing in front of the Blue Room Christmas tree was taken on December 3, 1995.

In 1996, Mrs. Clinton chose the popular “Nutcracker Suite” theme, decorating the tree with toy soldiers, sugar plum fairies, and mouse kings of various stripes. In 1997, the theme was “Santa’s Workshop” and featured miniature Santa Clauses, toys, sleighs, and reindeer ornaments. In 1998, the theme was “A Winter Wonderland,” and the tree featured painted wooden ornaments, knitted mittens and hats, and snowmen. In 1999, the Clintons chose “Holiday Treasures at the White House,” and the decorations represented significant historic landmarks, events, and people. For their last Christmas in the White House, Mrs. Clinton selected the nostalgic theme "Holiday Reflections" for the decorations. The Blue Room tree featured 900 of the Clintons' favorite ornaments from their previous seven Christmases in the White House. This photograph of President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton posing in front of the Blue Room Christmas tree was taken on December 3, 2000.

In 2001, First Lady Laura Bush chose "Home for the Holidays" as the White House Christmas tree theme. Artists from all fifty states and the District of Columbia designed model replicas of historic homes and houses of worship to hang as ornaments (pictured above). In 2002, Mrs. Bush adopted the theme "All Creatures Great and Small," which featured past presidential pets and other animals throughout the house; the tree was decorated with bird ornaments. The 2003 theme, "A Season of Stories," featured ornaments first used by First Lady Barbara Bush in 1989 and loaned to the White House by the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. In 2004, First Lady Bush selected the theme "A Season of Merriment and Melody," which included a symphony of musical instruments hand-painted by members of the Society of Decorative Painters.

The 2005 "All Things Bright and Beautiful" tree featured fresh white lilies, crystal garlands, and white lights (pictured above). In 2006, the Christmas tree sparkled with crystals and ornaments of iridescent glass to "Deck the Halls and Welcome All." During the 2007 "Holiday in the National Parks," artists decorated 347 ornaments representing national parks, memorials, seashores, historic sites, and monuments across the country. For her last Christmas in the White House, Mrs. Bush chose the patriotic theme, "A Red, White, and Blue Christmas," and trimmed the official Christmas tree with 369 ornaments designed by artists from around the country selected by members of Congress.

First Lady Michelle Obama began her White House Christmas planning with a very simple idea: to include as many people, in as many places, in as many ways as possible. In 2009, Mrs. Obama asked sixty local community groups from around the nation to "Reflect, Rejoice, Renew," and redecorate 800 ornaments from previous White House administrations. The ornaments paid tribute to favorite landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, and Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.

In 2010, the White House celebrated "Simple Gifts." The Blue Room Christmas tree was themed, "Gift of the American Spirit," and it featured prize ribbons from state and county fairs from each state and territory (pictured above). First Lady Michelle Obama also added a "Military Appreciation Tree" to the White House in 2010. Located near the visitor’s entrance, the tree was decorated with glass bulb ornaments representing the five branches of the military and topped with a handmade dove. In 2011, the theme was “Shine, Give, Share” and the tree honored service members with holiday cards created by military families. In 2012, Mrs. Obama selected the theme “Joy to All,” and the Blue Room tree featured ornaments made by military children living on U.S. bases around the world as a way to honor of their parents’ commitment to serve.

In 2013, First Lady Michelle Obama chose the theme "Gather Around: Stories of the Season" (pictured above). Military families created greeting cards in the shape of their home states for the official Blue Room Christmas tree. The Obama family pets have also helped to spread holiday spirit each year. In 2013, the White House displayed life sized, moving replicas of dogs Bo and Sunny made of 1,000 yards of satin ribbon. In 2014, the theme was “A Children’s Winter Wonderland” and the tree was decorated with “America the Brave” ribbons and banners, as well as ornaments made out of coloring book pages by children. In 2015, the theme was “A Timeless Tradition,” and the Blue Room tree was wrapped in ribbons with messages for service members and a gold star garland. For their last Christmas in the White House, the Obamas chose the theme “The Gift of the Holidays.” The Blue Room tree had ornaments with images of families, farmers, and service members, and the garland featured language from the Preamble to the United States Constitution.

In 2017, First Lady Melania Trump selected the theme “Time-Honored Traditions” and the Blue Room tree was decorated with glass ornaments depicting the seal of every state and territory. For their second holiday season in the White House, the Trumps chose the theme "American Treasures" for their decor. "American Treasures" was inspired by American heritage and patriotism, and featured iconic landscapes and cityscapes. There were also replicas of major monuments such as the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Capitol. In 2019, the theme was “The Spirit of America,” and the Blue Room tree was outfitted with handmade flower ornaments representing every state and territory.

President Calvin Coolidge was the first chief executive to preside over a public celebration of the Christmas holidays with the lighting of the National Christmas Tree in 1923. Today, the Christmas Pageant of Peace, a major event held annually on the Ellipse since 1954, includes the lighting of the National Christmas Tree. This celebration respects the holiday worship of all faiths and features the appearance of the first family to light the tree and host live musical and dance performances.

Although previous presidential administrations displayed Christmas trees indoors throughout the State Floor, it was First Lady Mamie Eisenhower who consistently placed a tree in the Blue Room. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy began the tradition of selecting a theme for the official White House Christmas tree in the Blue Room in 1961. That year, the tree was decorated with ornamental toys, birds, angels, and characters from the "Nutcracker Suite" ballet. The tradition of installing the official tree in the Blue Room was interrupted twice. In 1962, the tree was displayed in the Entrance Hall because of renovation work. In 1969, First Lady Patricia Nixon chose the Entrance Hall for the American Flowers Tree, which was decorated with velvet and satin balls made by disabled workers in Florida and featuring each state’s official flower.

Over her eight White House holiday seasons, First Lady Hillary Clinton showcased the talents of America's artistic communities. First Lady Laura Bush varied the decorations, including the themes of "All Creatures Grand and Small in 2002" highlighting her love of animals and the importance of pets to White House history and a patriotic "A Red, White and Blue Christmas" in 2008. The theme had been inspired by letters from Americans that began arriving after September 11th suggesting the White House have a red, white and blue Christmas. First Lady Michelle Obama announced the 2010 White House Christmas theme of "Simple Gifts." She explained, "The greatest blessings of all are the ones that don't cost a thing: the time that we spend with our loved ones, the freedoms we enjoy as Americans and the joy we feel from reaching out to those in need."

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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. 

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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.

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The White   House Announces 2022 Public   Tours

Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is pleased to announce public tours of the White House will begin on Friday, April 15, 2022.  Public tours will initially be available from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, excluding Federal holidays or unless otherwise noted. All White House tours are free of charge. The White House tour schedule is subject to change based on inclement weather or official use.

PUBLIC WHITE HOUSE TOUR REQUESTS

Public tour requests are scheduled on a first come, first served basis and must be submitted through a 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 Representative’s 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. Congressional Tour Coordinators will be able to submit tour requests beginning Monday, March 21, 2022. 

The White House will continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation with guidance based on recommendations from the CDC, and other public health officials and medical experts, and reserves the right to adjust availability of the public tours as necessary to adhere to the latest health guidance. Within the 10 days prior to the public tour, anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19, has had any COVID-19 symptoms, or been in close contact with someone confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19, should stay home. Face masks will be available when entering the White House complex for those who choose to wear them.

Information regarding additional springtime events at the White House, including the Spring Garden Tours and the White House Easter Egg Roll, will be released in the coming days. 

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White House holiday decorations show the festive season through the ‘sparkling eyes of children'

“each room on display is designed to capture the pure, unfiltered delight and imagination of our childhoods," first lady jill biden said., by darlene superville | the associated press • published november 27, 2023 • updated on november 27, 2023 at 8:59 pm.

Ninety-eight Christmas trees, more than 142,000 twinkling lights and nearly 34,000 ornaments deck the halls of the White House in ways that first lady Jill Biden hopes will inspire visitors to embrace their inner child and experience the “magic, wonder and joy” of the season. It's her theme for the holiday décor.

“Each room on display is designed to capture the pure, unfiltered delight and imagination of our childhoods, to see this time of year through the wondrous, sparkling eyes of children,” she says in remarks prepared for a Monday afternoon reception to formally unveil the décor and thank hundreds of designers and decorators who volunteered to spend last week transforming the executive mansion.

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Throughout the décor are numerous nods to the 200th anniversary of the publication in 1823 of the poem and book “'Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

For this year’s holidays at the White House, our theme is inspired by how children experience this festive season: completely present in the beauty and bounty around them, their senses alight, with hearts open to the “Magic, Wonder, and Joy” of the season. pic.twitter.com/EWzSGaR5qA — Jill Biden (@FLOTUS) November 27, 2023

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The Library of Congress provided samples of editions from the past 200 years that are on display along the ground floor corridor. The traditional gingerbread White House recreates the classic story by featuring a sugar cookie replica of the book along with Santa's sleigh flying above the grounds. Santa's sleigh and his reindeer are also suspended above the Grand Foyer.

The White House released a fact sheet and was allowing the news media to see all the trees, lights and ornaments before the first lady’s event. National Guard families, who were joining Biden as part of Joining Forces, her White House initiative to show appreciation for military families, will be among the first members of the public to see the decorations.

Children of these and other military families were also to be treated to a performance by the cast of the North American tour of the Disney musical “Frozen.”

One of the first Christmas trees visitors will see is decorated with wooden gold star ornaments engraved with the names of fallen service members.

The official White House Christmas tree, an 18.5-foot-tall (5.6-meter-tall) Fraser fir, takes its usual place in the Blue Room, where the chandelier has to be taken down in order to accommodate its height. The massive tree this year celebrates cheerful scenes, landscapes and neighborhoods from across the country.

The State Dining Room has been transformed into Santa's workshop, with elves' workbenches, stools and ladders circling the Christmas trees and tools and gifts-in-progress rounding out the décor.

The dining room is also the customary stage for the gingerbread White House, made using 40 sheets each of sugar cookie dough and gingerbread dough, 90 pounds (41 kilograms) of pastillage, a cake decorating paste, 30 pounds (14 kilograms) of chocolate and 50 pounds (23 kilograms) of royal icing.

The library honors the tradition of bedtime stories with golden moons and shimmering stars dangling overhead while the China Room becomes a sweet shop featuring flavors and scents of the season wafting from the holiday cakes, cookies and gingerbread filling the space.

The official White House Menorah is on display in the Cross Hall, which runs between the State Dining Room and the East Room.

In her prepared remarks, the first lady says she knows that magic, wonder and joy can be hard to find, especially as the days grow shorter, the weather turns colder “and our hearts grow heavy in the face of a tumultuous world.”

"But it’s in these times, when we are searching for hope and healing, that we need those points of light the most, that we need each other the most," she says. “It’s in these times that I hope you remember, if even just for a moment or a season, how you saw the world as a child.”

Nearly 15,000 feet (4,600 meters) of ribbon, more than 350 candles and over 22,000 bells were used for the decorations, the White House said. More than 142,425 lights twinkle on trees, garlands, wreaths and other displays.

Seventy-two wreaths sporting red ribbons adorn the north and south exteriors of the White House.

PHOTOS: White House decks the halls with 2023 Christmas decorations

Can i take a white house holiday tour.

Anyone is welcome to walk around the outside of the White House; wreaths, lights and other holiday decor are usually visible from The Ellipse and Lafayette Square.

The National Christmas Tree, located in President’s Park , is scheduled to open to the public on Saturday, Dec. 2. The festive Pathway of Peace and national tree will be free to visit and open to the public through Jan. 1, 2024.

With a little luck, you may be able to go inside the White House and see it decked out for the holidays.

You’ll need to schedule a regular White House tour during the holiday season.

White House tours must be booked 90 to 21 days in advance.

To book a White House tour, you can contact your Member of Congress and Congressional Tour Coordinator.

• Call the U.S. House of Representatives Switchboard at 202-225-3121
• Call the U.S. Senate Switchboard at 202-224-3121
• Visit www.congress.gov/members to contact your representative directly

Tours are typically offered from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday, excluding federal holidays. Here’s more information .

White House Christmas Trees Through the Years

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How Can I Tour the White House in Washington, DC?

Everything you need to know about planning a visit to the country’s most famous house., requesting a white house tour.

Touring the White House requires some advance planning. Public tour requests must be made through your member of Congress ( find your member of Congress and contact information ) and submitted up to three months in advance and no less than 21 days prior to your visit. If you're an international visitor and wish to schedule a tour, please contact your home country’s embassy in Washington, DC.

You are encouraged to submit your tour request as early as possible as tours fill up quickly and a limited number of spaces are available. Tours are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. All White House tours are free. Please note tours are subject to last-minute cancellations based on the official White House schedule.

Public, self-guided tours are 45 minutes and are run between 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays unless otherwise noted. For complete details on White House tours, visit the White House tours and events page or call the White House Visitors Office 24-hour information line at (202) 456-7041. The White House is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

Touring the White House - Washington, DC

What to expect on a White House tour

If there is a tour slot available during your visit to DC, you will be given a specific date and time to arrive and be instructed on where to check in. All guests over 18 years old will be required to present a valid, government-issued photo ID upon check-in. Foreign nationals must present their passport. Please bring as little as possible (avoid backpacks, food, large handbags, bottled water, etc.). Note that smartphones and compact cameras with a lens no longer than 3 inches are permitted on the public tour route, but video recording devices and flash photography are not allowed inside the White House. Visitors will go through security prior to entering the White House. There are no restrooms available at the White House. The closest restroom is located at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion nearby.

Public tours of the White House include the public rooms in the East Wing, which includes the Blue Room, Red Room and Green Room; the State Dining Room; the China Room; and a view of the White House Rose Garden. Secret Service members are stationed in each room and are available to answer questions about the history and architecture of each room.

You can also visit the White House Visitor Center   before or after your tour.

Stephen Melkisethian

How to get to the White House

The closest Metro stations to the White House are Federal Triangle (Blue and Orange lines), Metro Center (Blue, Orange and Red lines) and McPherson Square (Blue and Orange lines). Please note there is NO PARKING near the White House. Public transportation is strongly encouraged.

@abroadwife

How to tour the White House Garden

Another opportunity to visit the White House is to attend either its fall or spring garden tour. Check whitehouse.gov in early October and April. The announcement of the garden tours is usually made within a week or two of when they take place. Garden tours generally run for two consecutive days. They may be canceled due to poor weather. A ticket is required for all attendees (including small children). Usually, tickets are distributed by the National Park Service at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion on 15th and E streets NW on each tour day beginning at 9 a.m. Review the announcement for specific details.

Will I still be able to see the White House without going on a tour?

While visitors are not allowed entry to the White House without requesting a tour through your congressional representative, you will still be able to see the White House from Pennsylvania Avenue NW at Lafayette Square and view the White House and the South Lawn from the Ellipse. Please note that a new fence is currently under construction at the White House, as the current 6-foot fence is being replaced by a stronger, wider fence that will be 13 feet.

Where can I store my belongings during the tour?

It is important to note that security at the White House is extremely high. If your hotel is nearby, we suggest leaving your belongings in your room during the tour. If this is not possible, there are a few other options. You can designate one member of your tour group to hold everyone’s belongings. That person can take the self-guided tour once his or her group has finished the tour.

If you're a ticketed Amtrak customer, you may be able to check luggage in advance at  Union Station . These are located near Gate A. Lockers are available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. A photo ID is required and lockers must be paid for via cash or credit in advance. Rates are $3-$6 per hour per bag depending on the size of your bag. For questions on bag storage, please call 202-906-3000.

Catch up on White House history with the free podcas t The 1600 Sessions and enhance your trip with the  White House Experience app  from the White House Historical Association. The app offers three tour experiences, including a virtual tour of the White House (with rooms you normally don't see on the tour), a neighborhood walking tour and a room-by-room guide for visitors on an in-person tour of the White House.

Now that you have read up on the White House, explore DC’s other awesome  monuments and memorials .

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White House Christmas

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Visiting the White House During Christmas

Adventurous Kate contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks!

I recently had the opportunity to do something that I hadn’t even thought about before — visiting the White House during Christmas.

I visited Washington, DC to take part in the White House’s first ever Travel Blogger Summit, focusing on making study abroad accessible to more students. While the summit itself was an exciting, inspiring event (and stay tuned for more on what I learned and who I met!), one of the biggest highlights for me personally was getting to see the White House decked out for Christmas.

So many Christmas trees! So many decorations!

Visiting the White House isn’t as easy as rocking up and waiting to get in. For American citizens, you need to submit a request through your congressional representative. For foreign nationals, you need to submit a request through your embassy in Washington, DC.

Requests must be made between 21 days and six months in advance. Tours are self-guided, and you get to walk through the East Wing at your own pace and peruse a pamphlet filled with information.

You can technically visit the White House year-round — but I recommend that you try to do it around Christmas to see the decorations.

Now — why should you come to the White House during Christmas as opposed to any other time of year?

Because it’s beautiful. The Christmas decorations at the White House are legendary — classic, elegant, and the rooms are enveloped in the most wonderful scent of pine. Definitely more Martha Stewart than an avant-garde presentation, but in this environment, classic is exactly what you want. (Plus, giant sculptures of White House dogs Bo and Sunny!)

Because of the history. The East Wing of the White House, as you can imagine, is full of history dating back centuries. It’s great seeing it first-hand in an environment that has been home to the people who shaped the country we live in today.

Because of the guides. The tours are self-guided, but Secret Service officers are present throughout the rooms, giving historical tidbits. These aren’t the stereotypical officers in dark glasses — they were fun and friendly and I ended up chatting with several of them.

Because you can take pictures. Usually, you can’t take pictures on a White House tour, but Christmas is the only time of year that you’re allowed to do so.

Because of the photo ops. Need a shot for your Christmas card this year? Pose underneath the presidential seal with an American flag on one side and the Blue Room’s enormous America the Beautiful-themed Christmas tree behind you.

Still, there are caveats. It’s so hard to get good pictures. Our group had been told that cameras were not permitted, though they technically are permitted during the Christmas season, so we were restricted to our phones. It’s very crowded inside, so it’s hard getting photos without anyone in them, and you can’t get too close to the decorations themselves, so it’s difficult to get any kind of unique photos. Everyone ends up with the same shots.

Even so, though — very well worth it.

What to Wear to the White House

It depressed me when I Googled “what to wear to the White House” and found lots of threads saying how it was okay, you didn’t have to dress up, it would be okay if you wore jeans and sneakers. OF COURSE you should dress up! This is our country’s highest office! It’s a show of respect — and if you’re not going to dress up here, then when are you going to?

I went for a dress and blazer combo with black pantyhose and pumps. Stylish, yet relatively conservative, which is how people dress for business in DC. (My personal method was to choose a dress that I could see the First Lady wearing — and she would totally wear this!)

Hell, make a day of it! I went to Drybar for an early-morning blowout, and if your visit is scheduled for later, you could drop by Sephora and get a free 15-minute makeover. Why not? This is the time!

Yes, theoretically you could walk into the White House wearing old jeans and a hoodie, but really, don’t be that girl.

The Takeaway

I never knew how much I would enjoy seeing the White House all decked out for Christmas! It was really a magical moment to be in such a special place at such a beautiful time of year. I was thoroughly giddy the whole time.

I’m so glad I had this opportunity, and I can’t recommend it highly enough to all of you.

Essential Info: White House visits must be arranged in advance through your congressional representative if you’re a US citizen and through your DC embassy if you’re not a citizen. Visit house.gov to find your representative. Visits can be arranged six months to 21 days in advance. Click here for more information on White House visits, including what you can and can’t bring inside. Christmas season generally begins in early December, though the specific dates can vary year by year. Call ahead to make sure. Photos may only be taken during the Christmas season. Otherwise, mobile phones are permitted, but you may not actually use them in the White House. For more information on the 2014 Christmas decorations, click here. Hotels in Washington D.C. can be found here.

Where’s your favorite place to visit during the Christmas season?

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Garden tours, plants sales and more ways to spend time among flowers

Visit Maine's botanical gardens or get a sneak peek of what your neighbors are growing in their back yards.

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One of the loveliest ways to ease yourself fully out of the post-winter blahs and into springtime is to quit being a wallflower and instead surround yourself with living, blooming plants.

From botanical gardens to plant sales and garden tours, it’s time to make like the Scarecrow in “The Wizard of Oz” and while away the hours, conferring with flowers.

The waterfall at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. Photo by Tory Paxson, Courtesy of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

TOTALLY BOTANICAL

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay is open for the season, daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Maine Days are May 31 to June 2, when anyone with a Maine driver’s license or state ID gets in for free. Ditto for dads/father figures on Father’s Day (June 16). Advance registration is required. With more than 300 acres of gardens and natural spaces, including a waterfall, there will be plenty to see, smell and bask in the scenery.

Here are more things to do in Boothbay

A tour group walks on the boardwalk at Viles Arboretum in Augusta. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Viles Arboretum is a botanical garden in Augusta with 6 miles of trails and more than 20 botanical collections. It’s open daily from sunrise to sunset, and admission is free. There are 224 acres with all sorts of flora and fauna to discover. Leashed dogs are welcome, and the visitor center is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

Viles Arboretum offers medicinal plant walks, and although the May 18 session is full, you can still register for the June 15 and Sept. 14 events, lead by herbalist, homeopath and flower essence practitioner Debra Bluth. Tickets are $25. Advertisement

The Mount Desert Land & Garden Preserve has four areas to explore on its property in Northeast Harbor: the Asticou Azelea Garden (dawn to dusk daily), the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden (noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday from July 9 to Sept. 8, reservations required), Thuya Garden (dawn to dusk daily, June 15 to Oct. 14) and Little Long Pond Natural Lands (hiking trails and carriage roads open dawn to dusk daily). On June 26, at the Wildflowers of Little Long Pond event, participants can wander around the garden’s fields and forest, spotting wildflowers along the way while practicing how to identify them.

Joyce Saltman, right, and Beth Anisbeck embrace a tree for 60 seconds during a tree hugging event sponsored by Portland Parks and Recreation, at Deering Oaks Park last year. Carl D. Walsh/Staff Photographer

TOURS AND MORE

2nd Annual Tree Hugging 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Deering Oaks Park, Portland. portlandmaine.gov The tree hugging is a family-friendly community gathering to celebrate Portland’s many trees. Park ranger Liz Collado will lead a sensory awakening and forest bathing session. Along with tree hugging, there will be a storytime, and you can touch a forestry truck and meet naturalist Noah Querido and Portland city arborist Mark Reiland. Just down the road, you’ll find Fessenden Park, on the corner of Brighton and Deering Avenues. The tulips have arrived, and it’s worth a visit to see them.

McLaughlin Garden Lilac Festival 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 24. McLaughlin Garden and Homestead, 97 Main St., South Paris, $5. mclaughlingardens.org You’ll find more than 125 varieties of lilacs at the McLaughlin Garden Lilac Festival. Explore on your own or take a guided tour led by a horticulturist. There will also be family-friendly activities, and you can shop for native and unusual plants.

4th annual Woodfords Community Garden Tour 1-4 p.m. June 8. Woodfords Corner Community in Back Cove, Deering Highlands, Oakdale and Deering Center, $20 suggested donation. woodfordscorner.org Presented by Friends of Woodfords Corner, this self-guided tour features at least 10 gardens. As you make your way down the list, you’ll find yourself pleasantly surprised by all of the hidden havens bursting with flowers, plants and impressive yardscaping elements.

Peony Society of Maine 23rd annual Garden Tour 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 8 and 15. Both tours start at 1348 Ohio St., Bangor, $5 donation. peonysocietyofmaine.net You’ll visit multiple gardens in Bangor, Winterport, Ripley and St. Albans, and your senses will be filled with countless peonies. A peony plant will be raffled off at the end of each tour. Advertisement

Hidden Gardens of Historic Bath 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 22. Sagadahoc Preservation Inc., 880 Washington St., Bath, $40. sagadahocpreservation.org The Hidden Gardens of Historic Bath house and garden tour features several homes in North Bath. Every stop on the tour will be a treat for your senses and may motivate you to make some of your own magic when you get back home.

Garden Conservancy Open Garden Days 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 29. Beckett Castle Rose Garden, Singles Road, Cape Elizabeth, $10. gardenconservancy.org You’ll see plenty of roses as well as ocean views at Beckett Castle, which sits right on the water, with views of five lighthouses. The castle was built in 1871, and its rose garden features more than 70 varieties of heirloom roses. A 50-foot stone tower doubles as the rose arbor entrance to the castle.

PICK A PLANT SALE

Tate House Museum’s Annual Plant and Herb Sale 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 18. Tate House Museum, 1267 Westbrook St., Portland, 207-774-6177.  tatehouse.org The wide selection includes perennials divided from the museum’s 18th century reproduction garden. Visitors can also make their own “seed bombs” and get a sneak peak at a new installation by artist Ashley Page from 10 a.m. to noon.

Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland Spring Plant S ale 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. May 18, Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, 217 Landing Road, Westbrook, 207-854-9771.  arlgp.org   Perennials, house plants and more will be on sale, and plants that don’t have specific pricing are “name your own fee.” Anyone interested in donating plants or pots to the sale should send a message to [email protected] .

Taking Root Plant Sale 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 1, Tom Settlemire Community Garden, Maurice Drive, Brunswick, 207-729-7694.  btlt.org This annual sale is organized by the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust. Proceeds benefit the Common Good Garden, which provides food and gardening education for the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program. Master gardeners will be on hand to help shoppers choose their best options.

Scarborough Land Trust Native Plant Sale and Spring Festival 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 1, Broadturn Farm, 388 Broadturn Road, Scarborough, 207-289-1199.  scarboroughlandtrust.org Visitors will find native plants, food vendors, local artisans, guided nature walks and activities for kids. To preorder plants, visit the Scarborough Land Trust website.

Maine Audubon Society Native Plants Sale and Festival 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., June 8, Gilsland Farm Audubon Center, 20 Gilsland Farm Road, Falmouth, 207-781-2330.  maineaudubon.org More than 75 species of native wildflowers, shrubs and tree seedlings will be available, along with workshops, info tables and experts.

Staff writer Megan Gray contributed to this report.

Related Headlines

Headed to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens? Here’s what else to check out in Boothbay

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