The National Christmas Tree, adorned with thousands of lights and unique decorations on the White House Ellipse, will be lit on Thursday night – and longtime Washingtonians know that means road closures in downtown D.C.! See a full list below.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are expected to light the tree, a 35-foot spruce from the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest in Virginia.
The Beach Boys, Alana Springsteen and Brett Young are among those set to perform at a ceremony near the White House. Tickets for the in-person ceremony are sold out. You can also watch the tree lighting on the Great American Family network on Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. If you were able to get a ticket through the lottery, dress in your warmest layers and consider bringing a blanket.
When does the National Christmas Tree open to the public?
The grounds are set to open to the public on Saturday, Dec. 6, through Jan. 1. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The trees will be lit about sunset each night.
The Ellipse is also adorned with 58 smaller trees representing U.S. states, plus federally-operated schools, each filled with ornaments created by schoolchildren.
Road closures for National Christmas Tree lighting
Road closures are expected near the White House. Here’s what D.C. police say about road closures:
The following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.:
- 17th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Constitution Avenue, NW
- Constitution Avenue from 14th Street to 18th Street, NW
- 15th Street from F Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
The following streets will be closed to vehicular traffic from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.:
- 17th Street from H Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
- 15th Street from F Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
- Jefferson Drive from 14th Street to 15th Street, SW
- Madison Drive from 14th to 15th Street, NW
- Constitution Avenue from 14th Street to 18th Street, NW
- C Street from 17th Street to 18th Street, NW
- D Street from 17th Street to 18th Street, NW
- E Street from 17th Street to 18th Street, NW
- F Street from 17th Street to 18th Street, NW
- New York Avenue from 17th Street to 18th Street, NW
- Upper Pennsylvania Avenue from 14th Street to 15th Street, NW (hotel traffic only)
- Lower Pennsylvania Avenue/E Street from 14th Street to 15th Street, NW
- Pennsylvania Avenue from 17th Street to 18th Street, NW
The following streets will be closed to vehicular traffic from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.:
- 17th Street from H Street, NW to K Street, NW
- 15th Street from H Street, NW to F Street, NW
- New York Avenue from 14th Street to 15th Street, NW
- G Street from 14th Street to 15th Street, NW
- Vermont Avenue from I Street to H Street, NW
- 16th Street from I Street to H Street, NW (hotel traffic only)
- Connecticut Avenue from I Street to H Street, NW
- H Street from 14th Street to 18th Street, NW
You can check the D.C. Police Traffic page on X for updates.
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