Tenor Anthony Kearns To Perform At The 2018 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

World- renowned tenor Anthony Kearns, a member of the double-platinum, PBS super-group, The Irish Tenors, will perform at the 2018 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Washington, D.C. on November 28, 2018, it was announced.

This year marks the 96th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting, which dates back to the 1920's, with the first celebration having President Calvin Coolidge "push the buttons" to light a 48-foot fir tree. Co-presented by the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation, the annual ceremonial tradition inspires countless viewers to recognize its spiritual, historical and national value.

The ceremony will include live musical performances and the official lighting of the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse at President's Park (White House). The National Christmas Tree is a living Colorado blue spruce from Virginia, which can be seen year-round in President's Park. In addition, the surrounding 56 smaller trees will feature unique ornaments representing every U.S. state, territory and the District of Columbia.

Mr. Kearns, an exceptional talent, will provide a special performance upon guests at President's Park as well as friends and families across the nation joining in via the taped broadcast from Ovation and REELZ on Sunday, December 2 at 10 p.m. EST.

"I am delighted to be a part of this very special tradition to launch the Christmas season in Washington, D.C.," said Kearns, who enjoys a robust international career. Earlier this year, he was invited to perform at the 2018 Friends of Ireland Luncheon hosted by Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) at the United States Capitol for the President, Vice President, bipartisan members of Congress, and foreign dignitaries.

Mr. Kearns will be accompanied by the United States Army Band 'Pershing's Own'. For a list of other performers, visit here.

Anthony Kearns first took the American television audience by storm in 1999 as the youngest member of The Irish Tenors, with five television specials and a dozen CDs, many of which went gold, platinum, and double-platinum. Now living in the U.S., Mr. Kearns' solo career includes high-profile charity benefits for our nation's military, major sporting events, television appearances and concerts, leading operatic roles, and collaborations with the world's finest orchestras. He has had the honor to sing for four U.S. Presidents, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for Medal of Honor Recipients, and for Pope Franciso 1 at the Pre-Mass Concert in Philadelphia.