White House Holiday Tours to Resume Amid East Wing Renovations

The White House will welcome visitors back for holiday tours starting on December 2, 2023, following a lengthy hiatus due to construction activities in the East Wing. The tours, which had been suspended since September, will enable guests to experience the festive spirit of the season amid ongoing renovations to create a new ballroom for President Donald Trump.

While the South Lawn will remain off-limits due to construction debris, the reimagined tour will allow access to significant areas, including the Cross Hall, East Room, Green Room, Blue Room, Red Room, and State Dining Room. Notably, visitors will not be permitted to view certain historic rooms on the ground floor, such as the Library and the Diplomatic Reception Room, which are currently being used for staff offices.

The holiday festivities kick off with the arrival of the official Christmas tree, a concolor fir sourced from Korson’s Tree Farms in Sidney, Michigan. The tree, selected in collaboration with the National Christmas Tree Association and White House grounds superintendent Dale Haney, will be showcased in the Blue Room. It will arrive in a Clydesdale-drawn carriage for inspection by First Lady Melania Trump, signifying the official start of the holiday season.

On December 3, President Trump will partake in another tradition by granting clemency to two North Carolina turkeys, named Gobble and Waddle, in a lighthearted ceremony that often garners media attention and jovial commentary.

As the Trump family celebrates Thanksgiving in Palm Beach, Florida, preparations at the White House will be in full swing. Volunteers are set to transform the residence into a festive showcase of holiday cheer under the direction of Melania Trump. While her office has yet to announce a specific theme for this year’s decorations, a brief video preview suggested a focus on gold and gilded elements, aligning with the president’s aesthetic updates to the West Wing.

The holiday decorations have varied significantly over the past years, with past themes ranging from “Time-Honored Traditions” in 2017 to patriotic motifs in 2018 and 2019. The 2020 decorations honored essential workers during the pandemic, featuring ornaments that symbolized various professions critical to public health.

In a candid moment recorded in 2018, Melania Trump expressed her frustrations regarding the dual pressures of fulfilling her role as First Lady while addressing public criticism of her husband’s policies. “I’m working … my a** off on the Christmas stuff,” she remarked, highlighting the challenges of balancing personal and public expectations during the holiday season.

As the White House gears up for an influx of visitors, the holiday tours promise to be a unique experience reflecting the spirit of the season, despite the ongoing renovations. With thousands expected to walk through its doors, the People’s House prepares to create lasting memories for guests during this festive time of year.