Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have helped Santa and US President Barack Obama light the national Christmas tree outside the White House.
Taking on the hosting duties, Tom Hanks and wife Rita introduced the musicians for the evening and sang a medley of holiday tunes to get the audience into the Christmas spirit.
Known for their deep ties in the Greek American community thanks to Rita Wilson’s heritage, the couple were there to see the lighting of the huge tree, which was decorated with more than 60,000 bulbs, keeping to the very traditional red, green and white colour scheme.
Alongside the huge tree were 56 smaller trees to represent the American states and territories.