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Road Closures and Security Restrictions Announced for 2019 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

WASHINGTON—The 97th National Christmas Tree Lighting will be held on Thursday, Dec. 5 beginning at 4:30 p.m. on the Ellipse in President’s Park. The National Park Service and United States Park Police are working in collaboration with local and federal law enforcement and public safety personnel to provide for the safety of all guests attending the National Christmas Tree Lighting. Every effort has been made to minimize the impact of these safety measures.

Road Closures

All street closures and listed times are subject to change based upon prevailing or unexpected conditions.

The following street closures will be in effect beginning Dec. 5, 2019 at 1 p.m. All street closures will be lifted by 8 p.m.

  • 17th Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and Independence Avenue, SW
  • C Street between 17th Street and 18th Street, NW
  • D Street between 17th Street and 18th Street, NW
  • E Street between 17th Street and 18th Street, NW
  • F Street between 17th Street and 18th Street, NW
  • G Street between 17th Street and 18th Street, NW
  • New York Avenue between 17th Street and 18th Streets, NW
  • Constitution Avenue between 18th Street and 14th Street, NW
  • 15th Street between H Street and Madison Drive, NW (Traffic will be allowed to flow south on 15th Street from Madison Drive)
  • Pennsylvania Avenue between 14th Street and 15th Street, NW
  • E Street between 14th Street and 15th Street, NW
  • F Street between 14th Street and 15th Street, NW
  • G Street between 14th Street and 15th Street, NW
  • New York Avenue between 14th Street and 15th Street, NW

Getting There

The entrance for ticketed guests is located along 17th Street NW across from E Street NW. Guests should line up from E street north. Attendees are encouraged to use public transportation and Metro to travel to President’s Park. The Farragut North and West Metro stations are closest to the event.

Parking Restrictions

Parking will be restricted on the curb lanes of Constitution Avenue, between 14th and 18th streets, NW, both sides of 15th Street, from H Street NW to Madison Drive NW, and both sides of 17th Street, from Pennsylvania Avenue to Independence Avenue, SW. In addition, parking is restricted on both curb lanes of C, D, E, F,G, New York and Pennsylvania between 14th & 18 streets between Constitution Avenue and North to Pennsylvania Avenue on the NW and H St on the Northeast of the Ellipse.

Prohibited Items

Guests should be prepared for a search of all items carried onto the site. Law enforcement personnel reserve the right to prohibit any other items determined to be a potential public safety hazard. Guests are encouraged to be prepared for rain or inclement weather by bringing rain jackets or ponchos.

Prohibited items include:

  • Aerosols
  • Animals other than service/guide animals
  • Backpacks and bags exceeding size restrictions (18" by 13" by 7")
  • Balloons
  • Bicycles / Recreational Scooters
  • Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems
  • Electric stun guns
  • Explosives
  • Firearms / ammunition
  • Folding or camp chairs
  • Glass, thermal, or metal containers
  • Laser pointers
  • Lighters and matches
  • Mace / Pepper spray
  • Packages
  • Selfie Sticks
  • Supports for signs, placards, banners, and flags
  • Structures
  • Toy weapons of any kind
  • Weapons of any kind
  • Any other items determined to be potential safety hazards

Strollers and wheelchairs are allowed, but guests should be prepared for a search of all items carried onto the site.

Reminders

All national parks prohibit the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems and the Greater Washington, D.C. area is a No Drone Zone.

Always Remember – If You See Something, Say Something. Contact U.S. Park Police at 202-610-7500 or call 911.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. The National Park Service has cared for the White House and its grounds since 1933. President’s Park, which includes the Ellipse and Lafayette Park, was officially included in the national park system in 1961. Visit us at: www.nps.gov, on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter: www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube: www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION
The National Park Foundation is the official charity of America’s national parks and nonprofit partner to the National Park Service. Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National Park Foundation raises private funds to help protect more than 84 million acres of national parks through critical conservation and preservation efforts and connect all Americans with their incomparable natural landscapes, vibrant culture, and rich history. Find out more and become a part of the national park community at www.nationalparks.org.