The world's largest menorah was illuminated during a ceremony on the Ellipse Tuesday, the first night of Hanukkah.
White House Chief Economic Advisor Gary Cohn assisted in the ceremony.
The annual lighting of the National Hanukkah Menorah began about 4 p.m. and featured performances from the United States Air Force Band and Dreidelman and the Macabees.
The event was free, but those interested in attending needed to register for a ticket.
Following the ceremony, guests were set to be treated to latkes and donuts. Free personal menorah kits and dreidels also were to be distributed.
