National Christmas Tree Lighting
12 Years of Production Excellence
Client
National Park Foundation / NCTL Production Partners
Location
The Ellipse at President’s Park, Washington DC
Scope
Televised, high-security, multiple-day build
Duration
Ongoing Annual Engagement
The Client:
National Park Foundation
The National Christmas Tree Lighting is an Annual holiday event at The Ellipse at President’s Park property and televised nationwide.
For more than a decade, Conder Inc and Charm City Crewing have played a central role in one of the nation’s most iconic holiday events, The National Christmas Tree Lighting in Washington DC.
Hosted in at The Ellipse at President’s Park, this televised tradition brings together the President, members of Congress from both parties, nationally recognized performers, and thousands of viewers across the country.
The event requires precision, deep coordination, and experienced crews capable of executing a full television-grade production and all the preparation and execution it takes.
The Challenge:
Executing a High-Stakes, Single-Day Broadcast
The National Christmas Tree Lighting is a complex build that must meet client and broadcast standards while always accommodating high-security protocols, the building of multiple stages, support of artist performances, with seating and a live audience infrastructure.
The NCTL production footprint spans:
• A main performance stage
• Multiple satellite stages
• Lighting towers across the property
• Audio, video, and broadcast infrastructure
• A performance tent for artist prep
• Front of House and production control areas
Everything must be installed efficiently and to client spec, taking into account swings in weather, and flow on onsite access.
OUR ROLE:
End-to-End Production Support
For 10 consecutive years, Conder Inc and Charm City Crewing have provided full onsite production support, including:
Staging, Lighting, Audio, and Video Setup
Installation and alignment of all staging elements, lighting towers, PA systems, and video infrastructure required for both the live show and television broadcast.
Front of House & Production Management
Charm City Crewing oversees FOH operations and coordinates with broadcast teams, event producers, artist management, security personnel, and White House representatives.
Rehearsal Day Support
Because the lighting ceremony is a televised production, our crews support a full rehearsal day, allowing artists, camera teams, and lighting directors to refine cues and ensure the show meets broadcast standards.
Artist & Performance Support
A dedicated performance tent is installed and supported by our teams, ensuring smooth artist transitions and technical readiness.
Crew Deployment & Onsite Leadership
Tim leads two experienced crews responsible for efficient build and teardown, ensuring all staging and technical elements are completed within the strict timing required.
highlights:
At a Glance
Key aspects of the production that reflect the scale, complexity, and consistency required to deliver this event year after year:
12 Years As A Trusted Technical Partner
TV Production Environment, Including Rehearsal Day
Multiple National Artists Performing Each Year
Attended by The President, Elected Officials, National Media
Seamless Coordination with Security, Networks & Federal Agencies
The Result:
Consistent, Broadcast-Ready Excellence
Year after year, Conder Inc and Charm City Crewing deliver a reliable, broadcast-ready environment that supports one of America’s most recognized holiday ceremonies.
Our long-standing involvement reflects:
- Consistent technical excellence
- Proven ability to operate on federal property
- Flawless execution under tight timelines
- Trusted collaboration with producers, artists, and government teams
The continued partnership underscores our crews’ reputation for high-stakes event production at the national level.
Official event footage from the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, showing the live production environment and broadcast setup. Video courtesy of The National Christmas Tree (thenationaltree.org), produced in partnership with the National Park Foundation.
Need proven technical leadership for your high-stakes event?
Contact us to discuss your project requirements.