The White House at Christmas: A 60-minute heart-themed tour.

Each Christmas season, the White House opens its doors to visitors, allowing them to tour historic rooms, admire themed decorations, and experience the festive atmosphere at the heart of America's powerhouse during the holiday season.

Since 1961, the place has been decorated according to a specific theme. For Christmas 2025, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump chose the theme "Home is Where the Heart Is," emphasizing kindness, sharing, and compassion as the bonds that unite family.

Christmas atmosphere inside the White House

The decorating activities began on December 1st, when Melania Trump received the official White House Christmas tree. This marked the beginning of the transformation of the entire space into a festive setting with lights, wreaths, ribbons, and dozens of Christmas trees.

Starting December 2nd, the White House will open its doors to visitors for holiday tours. Visitors will move through iconic rooms, each designed to tell a different story about family, memories, and connection.

These rooms are highlights of the tour.

East Room: the opening act for the festival journey.

During a private tour on December 1st, photographer Matthew D'Agostino captured images of the East Room before the White House officially opened for Christmas. This is typically one of the first spaces visitors get to see, with its Christmas tree, lights, and decorations forming the backdrop for the "Home is Where the Heart Is" theme.

Green Room: the centerpiece is the official Christmas tree.

The Blue Room is where the official White House Christmas tree is displayed – the same tree that Melania Trump received in early December.

The tree, a white pine (Colorado fir), was transported from Korson's Tree Farms in Michigan. It is adorned with decorations commemorating Gold Star families – families whose loved ones served in the military. The bird and flower motifs, representing the states and territories of the United States, create a harmonious blend of remembrance and pride.

The tradition of dedicating a Christmas tree in the Blue Room to honor Gold Star families was initiated by Michelle Obama in 2011 and continues to this day.

Red Room: Butterflies and the Story of the Younger Generation

The Christmas atmosphere in the Red Room is designed to appeal to younger generations of Americans. Butterflies appear in the decorations as symbols of transformation and a hopeful future.

The Red Room was originally a space for intimate gatherings and small-scale receptions, while also housing numerous works of art and historical furniture. During the festive season, the distinctive red color further enhances the warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Green Room: A space for holiday activities and crafts.

The Green Room is decorated for crafts and holiday activities. The green color scheme and decorative details evoke a warm, cozy feeling, like a family living room during the end-of-year holidays.

A delightful highlight in the Green Room is the SUV-shaped ornament hanging on the Christmas tree. This is the result of 150 volunteers who helped decorate the White House for about a week leading up to the holiday.

State Banquet Hall: a place that showcases diplomatic roles.

The State Dining Room is decorated to emphasize the room's diplomatic role and the White House's hospitality. As the venue for state dinners, the Christmas setting here is both formal and welcoming.

The White House gingerbread model displayed in the room recreates a small corner of the Yellow Oval Room – a room on the second floor of the White House that is rarely open to the public. Visitors can see this miniature version during the holiday season.

The decorations on the Christmas tree in the State Dining Room were specially designed to celebrate 150 years of the tradition of hosting state dinners at the White House, connecting the present with a heritage spanning over a century.

Cross Hall Corridor: a walkway adorned with vibrant pine trees.

The Cross Hall corridor is decorated with numerous pine trees adorned with seasonal flowers in red and gold. This is one of the most impressive walkways, as visitors walk between rows of pine trees and Christmas lights.

White House Christmas Tour

Christmas tours of the White House are free, but advance registration is required due to security concerns. The tour follows a fixed route, lasting approximately 45-60 minutes, and visitors are not permitted to move outside the designated area.

U.S. citizens register through the office of their senator or congressman. For international visitors, applications are typically submitted to embassies, travel agencies, or experienced intermediary organizations to assist with the process.

In a short period of time, visitors are guided through a series of iconic rooms, from the East Room, the Blue Room, the Red Room, the Green Room to the State Banquet Hall and the Cross Hall corridor, observing the decorative details that tell the story of the family, history, and state ceremonies.

The numbers for Christmas decorations at the White House in 2025.

• Since 1961, the White House has been decorated with a specific theme each Christmas.
• The theme for 2025 is "Home is Where the Heart Is," emphasizing kindness, sharing, and compassion.
• Over 50 pine trees were used to decorate the White House.
• Approximately 7,600 meters of ribbon were hung, adding a decorative touch to the Christmas tree, railings, and doorways.
• Ten thousand butterflies appear in the decorations, especially in the Red Room, symbolizing the transformation and hope of the younger generation.
• 150 volunteers participated in decorating the White House for about a week before the holiday.

Practical information for tourists.

• Tour type:Free tour, advance registration required.
• Eligible applicants:U.S. citizens register through the office of their senator or congressman; international visitors usually register through embassies, travel agencies, or experienced intermediary organizations.
• Tour duration:The journey takes approximately 45-60 minutes, following a fixed route; there is no freedom of movement.
• Opening times during the festival season:The White House began welcoming Christmas visitors on December 2nd, after the decorations were completed.

With a theme centered on family and kindness, the 2025 Christmas season at the White House offers visitors a chance to see a different side of life at the center of American power: warm, symbolic, and intertwined with the personal stories behind the state ceremonies.