Obama lights National Christmas Tree 29 photos Obama was joined at the 90th annual tree-lighting ceremony by first lady Michelle Obama, daughters Sasha and Malia, and mother-in-law Marian Robinson.

President Obama made remarks at the ceremony to light the National Christmas Tree. He included a few words about former South African President Nelson Mandela, who died the previous day.

President Obama Dances With Santa The president grooves on stage at the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony.

Obama family lights National Christmas TreeWith the White House illuminated in the background, the 40-foot National Christmas Tree glows Thursday night during the annual lighting ceremony on the ...

The sights and sounds swirling around Thursday’s annual lighting of the National Christmas Tree rang of the yuletide traditions of yore: a security sweep in the afternoon, the jazzy stylings of ...

And now I’m going to invite the entire Obama crew up here to help me light this Christmas tree. (Applause.) All right, everybody, we’re going to count from five -- five, four, three, two, one.

President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Sasha and Malia attend the annual National Christmas Tree Lighting on the Ellipse, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, Washington.

Obama lights the National Christmas Tree President Obama on Friday evening lit the National Christmas Tree before a crowd of thousands on the Ellipse, between the White House and the National ...

President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, daughters Sasha and Malia, applaud after lighting the National Christmas Tree at a ceremony across from the White House in Washington, Friday ...

President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, daughters Sasha and Malia, applaud after lightng the National Christmas Tree at a ceremony across from the White House in Washington, on Friday.

President Barack Obama kicked off the holiday season in Washington on Thursday with the lighting of the national Christmas tree.

President Obama, center, waves to the crowd as he walks off the stage with his daughter Malia, left, during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at the Ellipse in Washington on Thursday.