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Road closures announced for Christmas Tree Lighting

WASHINGTON — Road closures have been announced for the National Christmas Tree Lighting, set for Thursday, Dec. 1.

The National Park Service, U.S. Park Police and the Secret Service announced the closures on Monday for the ceremony, also known as the 94thÌýannual Pageant of Peace Ceremony. It starts at 5 p.m. Thursday.

These roads will be closed Thursday from 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.:

  • 17thÌýStreet Northwest, from Independence Avenue to New York Avenue Northwest;
  • 15thÌýStreet Northwest, from Independence Avenue to E Street Northwest;
  • Constitution Avenue, from 14thÌýStreet to 18thÌýStreet Northwest;
  • Madison Drive, from 14thÌýStreet to 15thÌýStreet;
  • Jefferson Drive, from 14thÌýStreet to 15thÌýStreet;
  • C Street Northwest, from 18thÌýStreet to 17thÌýStreet;
  • D Street Northwest, from 18thÌýStreet to 17thÌýStreet;
  • E Street Northwest, from 18thÌýStreet to 17thÌýStreet;
  • F Street Northwest, from 18th Street to 17th Street.

These roads will be closed 4:30 p.m. until 7 p.m.:

  • Pennsylvania Avenue, from 14th Street to 15thÌýStreet Northwest;
  • 15thÌýStreet Northwest, from Independence Avenue to New York Avenue Northwest.

The three agencies said that ticketholders should enter the gate at 17thÌýStreet Northwest, across from E Street Northwest; they say attendees should line up from E Street heading north.ÌýAttendees are encouraged to take Metro or other public transportation. The Farragut North and West Metro stations are closest.

ÌýThe three services also released a list of items that attendees can’t bring:

  • Tablets, iPads, tripods, monopods and camera sticks;
  • Bags, backpacks, and suitcases;
  • Umbrellas;
  • Drones and other unmanned aircraft;
  • Animals, other than service and guide dogs;
  • Bicycles, folding chairs, balloons, coolers, glass, thermal or metal containers;
  • Signs or flags of any kind;
  • Any pointed objects, including pocket knives;
  • Aerosols, tobacco products, or lighters;
  • Firearms, ammunition, fireworks, laser pointers, stun guns/ or tasers, Mace or pepper spray, toy weapons or knives of any kind.

Strollers and wheelchairsÌýare allowed, but attendees should know that authorities can search anything you bring onto the site.

Rick Massimo

Rick Massimo came to ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½, and to Washington, in 2013 after having lived in Providence, R.I., since he was a child.ÌýHe's the author of "A Walking Tour of the Georgetown Set" and "I Got a Song: A History of the Newport Folk Festival."

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