Police in Washington are warning of street closures in advance of the lighting of the National Christmas Tree.
The tree lighting takes place Thursday on the Ellipse near the White House. The Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement that the street closures will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday and end at around 9 p.m.
The police department says portions of 17th Street NW, 15th Street NW, Constitution Avenue, Pennsylvania Avenue, Madison Drive and Jefferson Drive will be closed.
The tree lighting tradition got its start in 1923 with President Calvin Coolidge.
