National Christmas Tree Lighting 2017: Road Closures, Performers

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The 95th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting event will be held Thursday, Nov. 30; if you didn't score a ticket, watch it next week on TV. The event is held on the Ellipse at President's Park at The White House.

Area residents had a four-day window to enter the ticket lottery run by the National Park Service to snag a live view. Winners got a free ticket to the ceremony, featuring the lighting of the National Christmas Tree and live performances, presented by The National Park Service and National Park Foundation. If you didn't win a ticket, the event will be broadcast next Monday, Dec. 4, on the Hallmark Channel.

"Today" host Kathie Lee Gifford and actor Dean Cain will host the 2017 National Christmas Tree Lighting, according to the event website.

Performer for the evening include: country music star Wynonna, Emmy Award-winners The Texas Tenors, Jack Wagner, the U.S. Navy Band directed by Steve Gibson, classic rock 'n' rollers The Beach Boys, and Mannheim Steamroller, along with Craig Campbell, Boys II Bow Ties, and Us The Duo.

"In 1923, President Calvin Coolidge walked from the White House to the Ellipse to light a 48-foot fir tree decorated with 2,500 electric bulbs in red, white and green, as a local choir and a 'quartet' from the U.S. Marine Band performed," states the National Christmas Tree website. "93 years later, this American holiday tradition continues to bring citizens together to share in a message of hope and peace."

For more information, visit the official National Christmas Tree website.

Road Closures

D.C. police have announced which roads will be closed for the event.

• 17th Street NW between Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue NW
• C Street NW between 17th and 18th Streets NW
• D Street NW between 17th and 18th Streets NW
• E Street NW between 17th and 18th Streets NW
• F Street NW between 17th and 18th Streets NW
• G Street NW between 17th and 18th Streets NW
• New York Avenue between 17th and 18th Streets NW

Road closed from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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

Image via National Park Service