News Release

Road Closures and Security Restrictions Announced for 2017 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Date: November 30, 2017
Contact: Shelby Galvin, NPS, 202-619-7186
Contact: Sgt. James Dingeldein, USPP, 202-556-9181

WASHINGTON – The 95th National Christmas Tree Lighting will be held on Thursday, November 30th beginning at 4:30 p.m. on the Ellipse in President’s Park. The National Park Service, United States Park Police and United States Secret Service 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 November 30, 2017 at 12 p.m. All street closures will be lifted by 8 p.m.

• 17th Street, NW closed from Pennsylvania Avenue to Constitution Avenue NW
• C St NW from 17th Street to 18th Street NW
• D St NW from 17th Street to 18th Street NW
• E St NW from 17th Street to 18th Street NW
• F St NW from 17th Street to 18th Street NW
• G St NW from 17th Street to 18th Street NW
• New York Avenue from 17th Street to 18th Street NW

The following additional closures will be in effect from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m.

• Constitution Avenue NW from 14th Street to 18th Street NW
• 15th Street NW closed from H Street NW to Madison Drive NW *Traffic will still be allowed to flow south on 15th Street from Madison Drive*
• 17th Street NW closed from Constitution Avenue to Independence Avenue SW
• Pennsylvania Avenue NW from 14th Street to 15th Street NW
• E St NW from 14th Street to 15th Street NW
• F St NW from 14th Street to 15th Street NW
• G St NW from 14th Street to 15th Street NW
• New York Avenue from 14th Street to 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.

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. No bags are allowed into the event. Guests are encouraged to be prepared for rain or inclement weather by bringing rain jackets or ponchos.

Prohibited items include:

• Tablets, iPads, Video Recorders, Tripods, Monopods, and Selfie Sticks.
• All bags, including Diaper Bags, Purses, Backpacks, and Suitcases.
• Umbrellas with metal tips
• Drones and other Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
• Animals other than Service/Guide Animals.
• Bicycles, Folding Chairs, Tents, Structures, Packages, Balloons, Coolers, Glass, Thermal or Metal Containers.
• Signs or Flags of Any Kind.
• Any Pointed Object(s), Including Pocket Knives.
• Weapons of any kind
• Food, Liquid, Aerosols, Tobacco Products, or Lighters
• Firearms, Ammunition, Fireworks, Laser Pointers, Stun Guns/Tasers, Mace/Pepper Spray, Toy Weapons or Knives 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.

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About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 413 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.

About the United States Park Police: USPP provides law enforcement to safeguard lives, protect national treasures and symbols of democracy, and preserve the natural and cultural resources entrusted to the care of the National Park Service. USPP officers are located in the Washington, New York, and San Francisco metropolitan areas. The force was created by President George Washington in 1791.