Yolanda Adams, Kelly Clarkson and Chance the Rapper to Perform at 2016 National Christmas Tree Lighting

Yolanda Adams, Kelly Clarkson and Chance the Rapper have been selected to sing at the 2016 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. They will perform at this annual White House event, per the event's official website. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on Dec. 1, with a lottery for tickets opening on Oct. 7. Those who can't make it to Washington, DC, to see the lights turn on will be able to catch the ceremony when it airs on the Hallmark Channel on Dec. 2.

The history of the Lighting of the National Christmas Tree is intertwined with the history of America. Through peace and war, from national celebration to national mourning, Americans have gathered together and celebrated the season in this holiday event. 

In 1923, President Calvin Coolidge walked from the White House to the Ellipse to light a 48-foot fir tree decorated with 2,500 electric bulbs in red, white and green, as a local choir and a "quartet" from the U.S. Marine Band performed. 93 years later, this American holiday tradition continues to bring citizens together to share in a message of hope and peace. 

Helping kick off the National Park Service Centennial in 2016, the theme of the 2015 National Christmas Tree paid ode to this momentous occasion, trimmed with sparkling gold ribbon and silvery white stars and lights, colors and trappings that are traditionally used for milestone celebrations. The Lighting Ceremony itself interwove the Centennial theme. Everyone that took to the stage that evening - from President Obama to musical talent - had the opportunity to shine a spotlight on their personal connection to national parks. 

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