The National Christmas Tree Lighting

The National Christmas Tree Lighting is a ceremony celebrated in the United States, around a large evergreen tree decorated for Christmas at The White House. The lighting of the tree is an annual event held in early December since 1923.
Throughout the Obama administration, several Muppet characters have appeared at the ceremony to read "The Night Before Christmas" by Clement C. Moore with First Lady Michelle Obama and participate in the lighting ceremony.
On December 1, 2011, Kermit the Frog helped the National Park Rangers decorate the tree, joined the First Lady for a reading of "The Night Before Christmas," and sang "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" with Santa Claus (performed by Brad Oscar). Kermit later joined the Obamas and others (including Carson Daly) on the stage for a sing-along rendition of "Jingle Bells" and "Winter Wonderland."
The 2011 TV broadcast on PBS was produced by the National Park Foundation. Underwriters Laboratories served as premier sponsor, framing the special with their commercials featuring the Muppets.
Abby Cadabby appeared at the event on December 6, 2013, reading "The Night Before Christmas" with Michelle Obama.
Miss Piggy appeared at the event on December 4, 2015, reading "The Night Before Christmas" with Michelle Obama. Miss Piggy (with performer Eric Jacobson exposed) later joined the Obamas and others (including Reese Witherspoon) on the stage for a sing-along rendition of "Jingle Bells" at the end of the ceremony.
Image:National_Christmas_Tree_2011.jpg|Malia, Sasha and Michelle Obama, Kermit the Frog, Carson Daly, Steve Whitmire, Santa Claus and Barack Obama in 2011.
Obama-Santa-Piggy (1).jpg|Miss Piggy, Santa Claus and Barack Obama in 2015
Obama-Santa-Piggy (2).jpg
Obama-Santa-Piggy (3).jpg
==Videos==
File:First Lady Michelle Obama Reads 'The Night Before Christmas' with Kermit the Frog|2011 appearance by Kermit the Frog
File:National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 2013|2013 appearance by Abby Cadabby
File:Remarks by President Obama at Lighting of National Christmas Tree|2015 appearance by Miss Piggy
==See also==
*The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
==External links==
* whitehouse.gov "The Obama Family Starts New Tradition at National Tree Lighting Ceremony" by Colleen Curtis, December 02, 2011
* Rehearsal footage of Miss Piggy appearance 
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Category:Live Appearances
Category:Christmas Appearances