National Christmas Tree Lighting: Date, Watch On TV, If You Go

WASHINGTON, DC — The 2019 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place Thursday evening in front of the White House. Here's what you need to know about the event.

WHAT: The 2019 National Christmas Tree Lighting

WHERE: The Ellipse in front of the White House

WHEN: Thursday evening

WHO: Performers at the event include Jessie James Decker, Spensha Baker, Colton Dixon, Max Impact, Chevel Shepherd, the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus, the United States Marine Band, and the West Tennessee Youth Chorus.

TICKETS/VIEWING: Tickets are required to attend the event. They were awarded through an online lottery in October. However, you can watch the event on TV on Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. on REELZ and at 9 p.m. on Ovation. You can visit the tree for free after the ceremony until Jan. 1. There will be music and dance performances on the Ellipse stage Dec. 11-15 and Dec. 17-22.

HISTORY: The tradition of lighting the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse started with President Calvin Coolidge on Christmas Eve in 1923.

TRAFFIC: D.C. police will be shutting down multiple roads in the area Thursday. Here are the closures they have posted on their website:

"The following streets will be posted as Emergency No-Parking for the event from approximately 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.:

• 17th Street between Pennsylvania Avenue to Constitution Avenue, NW
• Constitution Avenue between 18th Street and 14th Street, NW
• 15th Street between H Street and Constitution Avenue, NW

"The following streets will be closed to vehicular traffic for the event from approximately 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 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

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

"The public should expect parking restrictions along the street and should be guided by the posted emergency no-parking signage. All vehicles that are parked in violation of the emergency no-parking signs will be ticketed and towed."