Halloween at White House/ Bidens final Halloween/ White House trick-or-treat/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden celebrated their final Halloween at the White House, where Jill dressed as a panda in honor of the National Zoo’s recent panda arrivals. The “Hallo-Read” event encouraged reading and welcomed up to 8,000 trick-or-treaters to the South Lawn.
Bidens Host Final White House Halloween: Quick Look
- Jill Biden’s Panda Costume: First Lady wore a panda costume, a nod to the National Zoo’s new pandas.
- “Hallo-Read” Theme: The First Lady’s educational twist on Halloween encouraged children to read, reflecting her long teaching career.
- Festive Decorations: Large pumpkin displays, an orange moon, and cardboard cutouts of the family cat Willow adorned the South Lawn.
- Treats and Books: The Bidens handed out White House Hershey’s chocolates and children’s books, including 10 Spooky Pumpkins.
- Guests: The event welcomed up to 8,000 visitors, including students and military children.
Bidens Celebrate Final Halloween at White House with ‘Hallo-Read’
Deep Look
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden hosted a memorable final Halloween event on the White House South Lawn on Wednesday, delighting children with treats, books, and a few festive surprises. Dressed in a panda costume, Jill Biden’s playful outfit paid tribute to the National Zoo’s recent panda arrivals. The costume choice was a gesture of welcome, following her involvement in the zoo’s announcement that these beloved animals would be returning to Washington after a long absence.
The Bidens’ final Halloween celebration at the White House carried a unique educational twist. Named “Hallo-Read,” the event reflected Jill Biden’s commitment to encouraging literacy and reading among young children, drawing on her 40-year career as a teacher. She introduced the theme earlier in the day by reading a story about “10 Spooky Pumpkins” to a group of eager, costumed children gathered on the lawn. Later, as the sun set, she joined President Biden outdoors, where they greeted trick-or-treaters for nearly an hour.
In the Halloween spirit, the president, dressed in his classic suit and tie, handed out White House-branded Hershey’s Kisses chocolates. Meanwhile, Jill Biden offered children copies of 10 Spooky Pumpkins, delighting young attendees with both sweet treats and stories. With the Halloween festivities in full swing, the South Lawn saw a steady stream of up to 8,000 visitors, including students, children from military families, and other special guests invited to enjoy the Biden’s final Halloween celebration.
The White House was adorned with a festive display for the occasion, featuring a large orange moon and a sign that read “Hallow-Read at the White House” on the south face of the mansion. Oversized pumpkin decorations lined the entryway, while cardboard cutouts of the rarely-seen family cat, Willow, added a personal touch to the event’s decor. Stacks of books also complemented the reading theme, reinforcing the First Lady’s message about the importance of literacy.
The event marked the end of a chapter for the Bidens, as President Biden announced in July that he would not seek re-election. As he prepares to leave office in January, the Bidens’ final Halloween event at the White House offered a warm and memorable farewell to one of the many holiday traditions they have celebrated with the public.
