10,000 LED lights shine brightly on the 2011 U.S. Capitol Christmas tree, lit by House Speaker John Boehner. The 65-foot Sierra white fir is decorated with nearly 3,000 ornaments made by Californians in honor of this year's Capitol Christmas Tree theme, "California Shines."

The December 6 lighting ceremony on the Capitol's West Front Lawn featured the Summerville High School Choir that hails from the same Congressional District as the tree.

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree has been a tradition at the U.S. Capitol since 1964. The 118-year-old tree will be lit daily, from nightfall until 11:00 p.m., through January 1, 2012.