© 2026 ABC News

For Thanksgiving get-togethers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the \"safest choice\" is to celebrate \"virtually or with the people you live with.\" If Americans do host a gathering, they should eat outside and limit the numbers of guests, according to the CDC.

\"PHOTO:
Andrew Harnik/AP
PHOTO: First lady Melania Trump waves as she stands next to the 2020 Official White House Christmas tree as it is presented on the North Portico of the White House, Nov. 23, 2020, in Washington.
>
\"PHOTO:
Obtained by ABC News
PHOTO: ABC News obtained an invitation to a holiday reception scheduled for Nov. 30, at the White House.
>

U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams told ABC News on Monday that the CDC's tips \"apply to the White House, they apply to the American people, they apply to everyone.\"

\"We want everyone to understand that these holiday celebrations can be super-spreader events,\" he said in an interview with ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Cecilia Vega on \"Good Morning America.\"

The White House gatherings are scheduled to begin later this month, soon after the Thanksgiving holiday may give rise to another dangerous COVID-19 surge. ABC News obtained an invitation to a holiday reception scheduled for Nov. 30.

The White House typically holds a series of holiday parties in the weeks leading up to Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa that traditionally take place on the first floor, called the State Floor, with guests allowed to wander freely through the decorated, ceremonial rooms.

The first lady is scheduled to receive the official White House Christmas tree on Monday, and the building already has been bedecked with wreaths.

This year's events will take place at least partly indoors, on the State Floor, according to Grisham, who added that there are \"smaller guest lists\" and that \"masks will be required and available,\" with social distancing measures encouraged and hand sanitizer stations posted throughout.

\"PHOTO:
Andrea Hanks/ZUMA Wire via Newscom, FILE
PHOTO: President Donald Trump, joined by First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and Karen Pence, delivers remarks in the Grand Foyer of the White House, Dec. 15, 2018, in Washington, DC.
>
\"PHOTO:
Alex Edelman/Bloomberg via Getty Images, FILE
PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks during a Hanukkah reception at the White House in Washington, D.C., Dec. 11, 2019.
>

\"Guests will enjoy food individually plated by chefs at plexiglass-protected food stations,\" Grisham added. \"All passed beverages will be covered. All service staff will wear masks and gloves to comply with food-safety guidelines.\"

It remains to be seen whether the White House staff and attendees actually will wear masks, though, since President Donald Trump and the first lady themselves frequently eschew face coverings, as do many members of the West Wing's staff and the Republican members of Congress expected to be invited to such gatherings. The president, the first lady, two of the president's children and several high-ranking staffers all have tested positive for COVID-19.

\"Attending the parties will be a very personal choice,\" Grisham said. \"It is a longstanding tradition for people to visit and enjoy the cheer and iconic decor of the annual White House Christmas celebrations.\"

\"PHOTO:
Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA via Shutterstock
PHOTO: First Lady Melania Trump presents the 2020 White House Christmas tree on the North Portico of the White House in Washington, DC., Nov. 23, 2020.
>

ABC News' Katherine Faulders contributed to this report.

","canonicalUrl":"https://abcnews.com/Politics/white-house-planning-holiday-parties-indoors-pandemic-warnings/story?id=74357120","legacySlug":"/news/story/white-house-planning-holiday-parties-indoors-pandemic-warnings-74357120","noIndexNoFollow":false},"publishTime":"16:35","publishDate":"11-23-2020","updatedTime":"23:16","updatedDate":"11-23-2020","socialImage":{"alt":"First Lady Melania Trump presents the 2020 White House Christmas tree on the North Portico of the White House in Washington, DC., Nov. 23, 2020.","credit":"Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA via Shutterstock","ratio":"16x9","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/US/melania-white-house-tree-ss-jt-201123_1606153250900_hpMain_16x9_1600.jpg","width":992,"height":558},"datePublished":"11/23/2020 16:35:00 GMT","video":{"live":false,"id":74357120,"headline":"White House planning holiday parties indoors","mediaAssetTitle":"WH HOLIDAYS","description":"The gatherings contradict government advice as COVID-19 surges in the U.S.","duration":"4:03","posterImg":{"url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/default-img-undefined.png","width":608,"height":342},"video":{"feed":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2020/11/201123_gma_adams_0733_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8"},"playlist":["132306053","132266872","132055565"]},"relatedItems":[{"contentType":"video","date":"April 23, 2026","headline":"Trump orders Navy to 'shoot and kill' any boat laying mines in Strait of Hormuz","section":"News","slug":"/video/132306053","id":"132306053","image":{"alt":"VIDEO: Trump orders Navy to 'shoot and kill' any boat laying mines in Strait of Hormuz","credit":"ABCNews.com","ratio":"1x1","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_1x1_608.jpg","width":384,"height":384},"images":{"alt":"VIDEO: Trump orders Navy to 'shoot and kill' any boat laying mines in Strait of Hormuz","credit":"ABCNews.com","crops":[{"16x9":{"small":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_16x9_608.jpg","medium":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_16x9_992.jpg","large":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_16x9_1600.jpg"}},{"9x16":{"small":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_9x16_608.jpg","medium":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_9x16_992.jpg","large":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_16x9_1600.jpg"}},{"1x1":{"small":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_1x1_608.jpg","medium":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_1x1_992.jpg","large":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_1x1_1600.jpg"}}]}},{"contentType":"video","date":"April 22, 2026","headline":"Fallout after Fed nominee grilled on Capitol Hill","section":"News","slug":"/video/132266872","id":"132266872","image":{"alt":"VIDEO: Fallout after Fed nominee grilled on Capitol Hill","credit":"ABCNews.com","ratio":"1x1","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_1x1_608.jpg","width":384,"height":384},"images":{"alt":"VIDEO: Fallout after Fed nominee grilled on Capitol Hill","credit":"ABCNews.com","crops":[{"16x9":{"small":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_16x9_608.jpg","medium":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_16x9_992.jpg","large":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_16x9_1600.jpg"}},{"9x16":{"small":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_9x16_608.jpg","medium":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_9x16_992.jpg","large":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_16x9_1600.jpg"}},{"1x1":{"small":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_1x1_608.jpg","medium":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_1x1_992.jpg","large":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_1x1_1600.jpg"}}]}},{"contentType":"video","date":"April 15, 2026","headline":"American influencer found dead in Tanzania","section":"News","slug":"/video/132055565","id":"132055565","image":{"alt":"VIDEO: American influencer found dead in Tanzania","credit":"ABCNews.com","ratio":"1x1","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_1x1_608.jpg","width":384,"height":384},"images":{"alt":"VIDEO: American influencer found dead in Tanzania","credit":"ABCNews.com","crops":[{"16x9":{"small":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_16x9_608.jpg","medium":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_16x9_992.jpg","large":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_16x9_1600.jpg"}},{"9x16":{"small":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_9x16_608.jpg","medium":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_9x16_992.jpg","large":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_16x9_1600.jpg"}},{"1x1":{"small":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_1x1_608.jpg","medium":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_1x1_992.jpg","large":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_1x1_1600.jpg"}}]}}],"relatedContentSection":"news","schemaContent":{"name":"White House planning holiday parties indoors","description":"The gatherings contradict government advice as COVID-19 surges in the U.S.","duration":"4:03","uploadDate":"11-23-2020","publication":"11-23-2020","images":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/default-img-undefined.png","url":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2020/11/201123_gma_adams_0733_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8","contentUrl":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2020/11/201123_gma_adams_0733_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8","link":"https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/news/story/white-house-planning-holiday-parties-indoors-pandemic-warnings-74357120"}},"playlist":[{"id":"132281378","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132283010","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132273278","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132231169","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132206748","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132200241","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132054443","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132054798","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132033010","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131912713","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131830583","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131834976","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131554765","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131554815","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131543053","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131432442","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131121474","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131247079","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131228784","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131178806","contentType":"story","section":"news"}],"kvps":{"pgtyp":"article","lang":"en","sp":"goodmorningamerica","programmatic":"true","bundleId":"com.abcnews"}},"analytics":{"accountID":"wdgnewwdgnewgmaweb","ns":"gma","pageName":"gma:news:video","pageType":"video","globalSpecVersion":"v1.08","siteDifferentiator":"gma:site","tagID":"g_page01","userABCookie":"0","section":"news","title":"White House planning holiday parties indoors","pubTime":"11:35","pubDate":"11-23-2020","modTime":"18:16","modDate":"11-23-2020","taxonomyTags":"none","id":74357120,"editorialOtherSubjects":"","wordCount":"none","columns":"none","authors":"","authorsUnit":"none","authorsBureau":"none","subBrand":"Good Morning America","provider":"Good Morning America","videoName":"White House planning holiday parties indoors","mediaAssetTitle":"WH HOLIDAYS","videoId":74357120,"mediaOnPage":"video","legacySlug":"/news/story/white-house-planning-holiday-parties-indoors-pandemic-warnings-74357120"},"taboola":{}},"request":{"headers":{},"httpVersion":"1.1","method":"GET","url":"/video/74357120","vary":{"host":"www.goodmorningamerica.com","cached":true,"path":"/video/74357120","forwarded-proto":"https","device":"desktop","userab":"0"}},"viewport":{"width":1260,"height":0},"user":{}};