All 535 lawmakers - 100 senators and 435 representatives - were invited, and Vice-President Kamala Harris was there in her capacity as Senate president. It was also attended by cabinet members, high-level US military commanders and Supreme Court justices.
But lawmakers, and the president and first lady, can invite guests and often use their invitations to signal their political priorities.
A president's featured guests are often used to highlight key policy themes being made in the speech.
Here is what to know about some of the notable guests this year, including rock star Bono, former ambassador of Afghanistan Roya Rahmani, and the family of Tyre Nichols.
RowVaughn and Rodney Wells, the mother and stepfather of Tyre Nichols, the 29-year-old man whose death at the hands of Memphis police officers has reignited calls for police reform, were among the invitees.
They were invited both by Nevada Democratic Representative Steven Horsford, the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, and by the White House.
The family spoke with Mr Biden last week after five Memphis officers were charged with murder.
In his speech, Mr Biden invited Americans to "imagine what it's like to lose a child at the hands of the law".
He also spoke emotionally of the fears that many black Americans have of being pulled over by police.
The brother of George Floyd, who was killed by police in Minneapolis in 2020, and family members of Michael Brown, who was shot and killed by an officer in Ferguson, Missouri in 2018, was also in attendance.
Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar also hosted the father of Amir Lock, who was shot and killed by officers serving a no-knock warrant in Minneapolis last year
Brandon Tsay, 26, made national headlines in January after he disarmed a gunman who had carried out a shooting in Monterey Park, California that left 11 people dead.
He was invited to the State of the Union by California Representative Judy Chu, who told the BBC's US partner CBS that she wasn't the only one to reach out to Mr Tsay.
"Only an hour after I talked to him, President Biden himself asked him to be his guest at the State of the Union. Brandon, how could you turn me down?" Ms Chu said.
Mr Biden hailed his bravery and called for lawmakers to think of his heroism and pass more gun control laws.
"He saved lives. It's time we do the same as well," said Mr Biden.
Among the other names on the White House's guest list is that of Paul Pelosi, the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
In October 2022, Mr Pelosi was badly injured by a hammer-wielding intruder who entered their home in San Francisco. Authorities believe the attack was politically motivated.
Other White House's guests included Americans from various walks of life, including teachers, medical professionals, students and business leaders.
