Washington DC, Dec 1 (IANS): US President Donald Trump has lit the national Christmas tree, located behind the White House, in a ceremony followed by a performance of the 1960s-hit pop band, The Beach Boys.

On Thursday, Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, went hand in hand to the Ellipse, a public park to participate in the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, an annual tradition which US Presidents usually attend.

"We want to wish everybody a merry Christmas, a happy New Year, have unbelievable holidays, and we are now going to light a very beautiful tree," said Trump.

After a countdown from ten initiated by Trump, the first lady flipped a switch to set aglow a 8.5-metre Christmas tree, illuminated with bright yellow and blue lights.

Then, The Beach Boys, now left with only one founding member, Mike Love, took the stage and performed their traditional Christmas song "Little Saint Nick".

The First Lady unveiled on Monday the White House's Christmas decoration and said that "the President, Barron, and I are very excited for our first Christmas in the White House".