National Christmas Tree Lighting 2014: Performers, Street Closures, What Not to Bring

The National Christmas Tree is ready to shine in the District… literally!

The 92nd annual ceremony will be held 5 p.m. Thursday on the White House Ellipse in President’s Park.

The lottery for tickets to the lighting ceremony is closed and only those with passes will be allowed in. The 2014 National Christmas Tree Lighting will be streamed live on the White House Youtube Channel.

Celebrity husband and wife Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson will host the ceremony. Special celebrity performances before the actual lighting include:

• Fifth Harmony
• Patti LaBelle
• NE-YO
• Steve Miller
• Nico & Vinz
• The Tenors
• Chely Wright

Due to the high volume of traffic expected, the following roads will be closed for vehicles starting 3 p.m. Thursday and reopen after the lighting:

• 15th Street, NW from Constitution Avenue, NW to E Street, NW
• 15th Street, NW and New York Avenue, NW
• 15th Street, NW and G Street, NW
• 15th Street, NW and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
• 15th Street, NW and F Street, NW
• 15th Street, NW and Constitution Avenue, NW
• 17th Street, NW Northbound from Constitution Avenue, NW to State Place/New York Avenue, NW
• 17th Street, NW from C Street, NW to E Street, NW
• 18th Street, NW Eastbound from D Street to E Street, NW

Are you going to the National Christmas Tree Lighting?

There will not be available parking close to the ceremony. If traveling by Metro, Farragut West is the closest station. Ticket holders will enter the event from the west side of the Ellipse, 17th Street NW.

The following items will NOT be allowed at the tree lighting ceremony:

• Animals (except for helper/guide dogs)
• Firearms
• Weapons of any type
• Hazardous materials
• Knives
• Toy guns/toy weapons
• Fireworks
• Pepper spray/mace
• Scissors
• Razor blades
• Needles
• Leatherman brand tools (or similar)
• Screwdrivers (or similar)
• Glass bottles
• Tripods
• Coolers
• Air-horns
• Laser pointers
• Aerosol containers
• Soda cans
• Sticks/poles
• Baseballs, softballs, etc.

For more information visit The National Tree website or Twitter.

Photo Credit: The National Tree