Christmas trees in New York and Washington lit up

Rockefeller Centre Christmas Tree and National Christmas Tree kick off holiday season

The White House is lit up after Mr Biden and his wife turn on the National Christmas Tree. AP

US President Joe Biden speaks alongside his wife Jill at the National Christmas Tree lighting on lhe Ellipse, south of the White House in Washington, on Wednesday. AFP

Canadian singer-songwriter Shania Twain performs during the 100th National Christmas Tree Lighting on The Ellipse south of the White House. AFP

Mr Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris enjoy a laugh during the ceremony. AP

Joss Stone performs during the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Ellipse below the White House. Reuters

The lit tree is seen during the 100th National Christmas Tree Lighting. AFP

Andy Grammer performs for the crowd gathered at the White House. Reuters

The Bidens enjoy a snuggle during the Christmas tree lighting. AFP

The National Christmas Tree in all its glory. Reuters

Shania Twain performs at the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony. Reuters

Mr and Ms Biden were joined by Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff at the lighting. AFP

Ms Harris and Mr Emhoff smile and hug during the National Christmas Tree lighting. AP

The Bidens and US rapper LL Cool J at the ceremony. AFP

Workers set in place the new Christmas tree at Rockefeller Plaza in New York on November 12. EPA

The new tree from Queensbury, New York, is 25 metres tall and weighs 14 tonnes. EPA

Workers set in place the new Christmas tree at Rockefeller Plaza in New York on November 12. EPA

Workers wheel in the Rockefeller Centre tree. EPA

David Foster and Katharine McPhee perform during lighting of The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York City, U. S. , November 30, 2022. REUTERS / Jeenah Moon

McPhee dazzled in snowy white. Reuters

McPhee shows off her black elbow-length gloves. Reuters

On Wednesday evening two famous US Christmas trees, in New York City and the nation's capital, Washington, were lit up to start the holiday season.

Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton dazzled with a duet of their You Make It Feel Like Christmas single as part of a two-hour lighting celebration broadcast on TV for national audiences.

Tens of thousands crowded around the plaza to hear performances from Alicia Keys, Andrea Bocelli, and others.

The Radio City Rockettes and Muppets of Sesame Street also made appearances.

Hundreds of thousands walk into Rockefeller Centre Plaza to view the tree each day in December until the New Year. At least 125 million visit over the season.

The 25-metre tree, donated by a New York family, was shipped from 320km north of the city and now stands above the ice skating rink, topped by a Swarovski star made of three million crystals.

Meanwhile, in Washington, about 10,000 people gathered at the Ellipse in President's Park, south of the White House, to view the lighting of the National Christmas Tree.

President Joe Biden spoke at the lighting. He was with his wife, Jill Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff.

“From the Biden family to you. Merry Christmas, America,” Mr Biden said.

Ms Biden this week unveiled the White House decorations with a "We the People" theme.

The US Marine Band was on hand to perform, along with LL Cool J, Shania Twain and others.

The first National Christmas Tree was lit by President Calvin Coolidge in 1923 and there has been a lighting ever since, the National Park Service says.

The tree has almost 4,000 metres of string lights, and there are 58 smaller Christmas trees that symbolise all of the US states and territories.

White House Christmas decorations 2022 - in pictures