After a three-month hiatus marked by controversy and construction dust, the White House has flung open its iconic doors once again for holiday tours—just in time for the festive season. But visitors returning this year will find a dramatically changed experience, both in the path they walk and the sights they see, as President Trump’s ambitious $300 million ballroom project has reshaped the very footprint of America’s most famous residence.
The East Wing, once the sparkling entry point for holiday revelers, is now gone. Its demolition—part of Trump’s plan to construct a grand new ballroom—sparked a national debate, with images of excavators tearing through the historic structure fueling outrage and, according to NPR, prompting some to see the project as a metaphor for Trump’s approach to governance since returning to office. Polls indicate that a majority of Americans oppose the East Wing’s removal, but the work pressed on, leaving the White House with a “much smaller footprint” for this year’s tours.
On Tuesday, December 2, 2025, the tours officially resumed, offering the public their first glimpse of the new layout and the dazzling holiday decorations that have become a cherished tradition. The route now begins and ends at the North Portico, winding through the East Room, Blue Room, Green Room, Red Room, and State Dining Room. Gone are the days of wandering the East Wing and basement rooms like the Map Room, which had previously been decked out for the season. Instead, visitors pass through a semi-permanent security structure on the North Lawn—a new addition meant to streamline guest screening.
Despite the truncated path, the White House is bursting with holiday spirit. This year’s theme, “Home Is Where The Heart Is,” was personally selected by First Lady Melania Trump. According to Beritaja and NPR, the decorations are nothing short of spectacular: 75 wreaths with bright red bows, 51 Christmas trees, more than 700 feet of garland, over 2,000 strands of lights, 25,000 feet of ribbon, and 2,800 golden stars. The effort, as described by Nicholas Clemens, communications director for the First Lady and unofficial tour guide, was a massive undertaking. “They were put together by volunteers,” Clemens said, recalling a scene “straight out of the movies” as decorators from all over the country climbed ladders and tied bows to get the halls ready for the tours’ return.
The Blue Room holds the official White House Christmas Tree, a towering 18-foot fir adorned with golden stars and 56 white globe ornaments—one for each U.S. state and territory. These ornaments are more than just festive baubles: they were 3D printed with the help of artificial intelligence, each featuring the state bird and flower, and were hung by Gold Star families who have lost loved ones in active-duty military service. “Home is made safe because of the Gold Star families who sacrificed for our country, wherever they might call home across the world,” Clemens said, underscoring the emotional resonance of this year’s theme.
Step into the Green Room and you’ll find a playful tribute to American history and creativity. Large Lego portraits of Presidents George Washington and Donald Trump—each assembled from 6,000 bricks—adorn the windows, the handiwork of dedicated volunteers. The room “celebrates family fun,” according to the White House, and the sense of community spirit is palpable.
The Red Room, meanwhile, is a riot of color and symbolism. Over 10,000 blue butterflies fill the space, meant to celebrate young people—including those who have experienced foster care and are still searching for a sense of home. Ornaments emblazoned with “Be Best” and a ribbon reading “Fostering the Future” highlight two of the First Lady’s key initiatives. Clemens explained, “It’s about celebrating youth, including those from foster care backgrounds, and supporting their journeys.”
In the East Room, the decorations look forward to America’s 250th anniversary, which will be celebrated next year. Patriotic colors and national symbols abound, and a large golden curtain covers what President Trump has called a “knock out wall”—the future entrance to the planned ballroom. “It looks pretty nice right now, but it’s going to look a lot better in a little while,” Trump said last month, according to NPR, hinting at the ongoing transformation.
No holiday tour of the White House would be complete without a stop in the State Dining Room, where the annual gingerbread White House takes pride of place. This year’s confectionary masterpiece is a feat of culinary engineering: 120 pounds of gingerbread dough, 100 pounds of pastillage dough, 10 pounds of chocolate, and 5 pounds of royal icing. The display includes a giant American flag made of sugar, echoing the new flagpoles added by Trump earlier this year, and features an open second floor so guests can peer into the Yellow Oval—a private gathering room for first families, now designed for the Trumps. “You’ll be able to peer in and see the current design of the Yellow Oval as it currently is designed for the Trumps,” Clemens noted, adding, “So you’ll get a real-time glimpse into what it looks like.”
While the holiday decorations are the main attraction, the White House itself has seen a flurry of changes since Trump’s return. The Rose Garden has been transformed into a patio surrounded by flowers, modeled after an outdoor space at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort. The Oval Office now gleams with gold from floor to ceiling, and the Lincoln bathroom has been overhauled in marble—a testament to the president’s penchant for opulence and rapid renovation.
For those eager to experience the spectacle firsthand, tickets for the White House holiday tours can be requested through members of Congress, who receive a limited allotment for their constituents. The anticipation is high, with many Americans—supporters and critics alike—curious to see how the blend of tradition and transformation plays out in person.
As the nation’s most storied home welcomes back visitors for the holidays, the changes wrought by the East Wing demolition and the new ballroom project serve as a reminder: the White House is both a living museum and a stage for the evolving story of American leadership. Whether you come for the gingerbread or the gold, this year’s tour promises a unique glimpse into a holiday season—and a presidency—unlike any before.
