 In 2000, however, 125,000 lights (using 75,000 watts per day) were used.There were 200,000 bulbs in 2002, but just 13,000 in 2003 (the year a more traditional lighting scheme was used).In 2008, after the switch to LED lights, the National Christmas Tree was illuminated by more than 45,000 lights on 900 50-light strings.