President Barack Obama along with his family lit the National Christmas Tree to cheers on Thursday in an annual celebrity-packed ritual near the White House.

With the push of a button, lights dotted the 29-foot blue spruce from Virginia. The tree will be lit every night through Jan. 1.

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Actor Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, an actress and singer hosted the event that featured musical performances from singers Patti LaBelle and Steve Miller.

Other artists included singer Ne-Yo, pop performers Nico & Vinz, singing group The Tenors, and country singer Chely Wright, Fifth Harmony of "The X-Factor," and the U.S. Marine Band.

Obama, who was joined by his wife, daughters, and mother-in-law, led the countdown to the lighting of the tree and thanked U.S. troops who would be away from their families over the holiday season.

"This Christmas, we count our blessings and we give thanks to the men and women of our military who help make those blessings possible," he said.

"And as we hold our loved ones tight, let's remember the military families whose loved ones are far from home. They are our heroes, and they deserve our heartfelt gratitude and our wholehearted support."

The president told the crowd that Jesus Christ "taught us to care for the poor and the marginalized, and those who are different from ourselves."

"More than two millennia later, the way he lived still compels us to do our best to build a more just and tolerant and decent world," Obama told the crowd of thousands on the Ellipse, near the National Mall.

Hanks joked that he wants to star in a movie with Mr. Obama after the president leaves office.

"I'm hoping he and I can make a movie together about two handsome, bodacious cops" who fight crime by day and play basketball at night, Hanks said, adding he intends to call the flick "Mr. Clutch and the Touch."

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