Sacramento Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Tree arrives at Capitol on November 1, 2024 | Tree Lighting December 11, 2024, 5-6 p.m.

West Steps of the State Capitol, Capitol Rotunda
1315 10th Street
Sacramento, CA
capitolpermits.chp.ca.gov |  ca.gov

Posted on oigc.org/cal/ ca-state-capitol-tree-lighting

Tree Lighting  in 2024 it is taking place the 2nd Wednesday in December. It used to be held 1st Wednesday in December, though  the event was virtual, streamed on Internet (not sure why) last year and

According to a press release from the Oakland Interfaith Gospel  Choir performing at the 2024 event, they'll be joining Gov. Gavin Newsom for the 93rd annual tree lighting event. Experience the choir's inspiring music that touches the soul.

Governor Gavin Newsom and First Lady host the Annual Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the West Steps of the State Capitol. The Capitol Christmas tree, a 60-foot white fir from Latour Demonstration Forest near Redding, was harvested from the Latour State Demonstration Forest in Shasta County. Approx. 200 people are expected to attend the event which has officially been  permitted and place on the calendar of the California Highway Patrol. 

Again this year, 10,000 ultra-low-wattage LED lights will be used, saving 95 percent of the energy that would be consumed by incandescent bulbs. The California State Christmas Tree is now on display on the West side of the State Capitol (10th Street, between N and L Streets) in Sacramento.

DGS crews trimmed the tree with hand-crafted ornaments donated from the California Department of Developmental Services. The ornaments are created by children and adults with developmental disabilities who receive services and support from California's development centers and 21 nonprofit regional centers. Several children are selected to help light the tree each year.

The Tree was transported from the Latour Demonstration State Forest to the west lawn of the State Capitol in Sacramento. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) transported the tree with a California Highway Patrol escort. Route:  Interstate 5 south to the Q street exit, and will then proceed left onto Tenth Street.

The tree was placed in the west lawn of Capitol Park (Tenth Street between N and L streets).

A tree crew from the California Department of General Services (DGS) cut down the official Christmas tree from the Latour Demonstration State Forest near Redding and prepared the tree for transport.

 

 Latour State Demonstration Forest at (530) 225-2418

2020

A virtual Tree Lighting Ceremony was held

2019

California State Christmas Tree, a 60-plus-foot tall White Fir was from a state forest in Shasta County is facing backlash according to press stories as some describe it as ugly and others say it is sparse. "Wow, where's the rest of it?" The branches are really far apart.  The California Capitol Christmas Tree was replaced after damage to the first tree arrival from Shasta County was discovered and determined to be unsafe. The Department of General Service along with the Department of Forestry and CAL FIRE  found a new tree. 

2018

This year's tree is a 65-foot-tall white fir from the Latour Demonstration State Forest located near Redding in Shasta County, the seventh Capitol Christmas tree to come from a state forest managed by CAL FIRE. The tree is illuminated by approximately 10,000 ultra-low wattage LED lights and is decorated with more than 900 hand-crafted ornaments made by children and adults with developmental disabilities who receive services and support from the state's developmental centers and 21 nonprofit regional centers.

The Governor and First Lady Anne Gust Brown light the Capitol Christmas tree with 7-year-old Kiran Dong of Valencia, who was born with Prader-Willi Syndrome and receives services from the North Los Angeles County Regional Center. Dong is a student in the second grade at Tesoro del Valle Elementary School and enjoys to swim, rock climb, ride horses and play soccer.

Kitty O'Neal of KFBK Radio is emcee for the ceremony, which also features performances by the California Army National Guard's DET 1, 40th Infantry Division Band, Brass Quintet, the Governor's Own; students from the Oakland Military Institute and Oakland School for the Arts; Harley White Jr. Trio; and St. Paul's Baptist Church Choir.

This event is open to the public and credentialed media. Members of the public are asked to RSVP and are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to donate to the Sacramento Food Bank. Parking for satellite trucks available on the east side of 10th Street between L and N Streets. For more information about Kiran Dong, please contact Nancy Lungren, California Department of Developmental Services, at Nancy.Lungren@dds.ca.gov.

2017

 SACRAMENTO - Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. and First Lady Anne Gust Brown host the 86th Annual Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the West Steps of the State Capitol.

This year's tree is a 65-foot-tall white fir from Latour Demonstration State Forest located near Redding in Shasta County, the fifth Capitol Christmas tree to come from a state forest managed by CAL FIRE on behalf of the public. The 2016 60-foot white fir and 2015 Capitol Tree, a 51-foot White fir, also came from the Latour Demonstration State Forest.

Decorated with approximately 10,000 energy-efficient LED bulbs, along with several hundred ornaments, which have been decorated by children and adults with developmental disabilities in past years.

The tree is decorated with 900 hand-crafted ornaments made by children and adults with developmental disabilities who receive services and support from the state's development centers and 21 nonprofit regional centers.

2016

The Governor and First Lady Anne Gust Brown will light the Capitol Christmas tree with 7-year-old twin boys, Alex and Alan Rosales of Los Angeles. It will be illuminated by approximately 10,000 ultra-low wattage LED lights.

• Kitty O'Neal of KFBK Radio ceremony emcee the
• California Army National Guard's DET 1, 40th Infantry Division Band, Brass Quintet, the Governor's Own
• students from the Oakland Military Institute and Oakland School for the Arts
• Mariachi Puente
• St. Paul's Baptist Church Choir

Parking for satellite trucks will be available on the east side of 10th Street between L and N Streets.
 
85th Annual California State Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony (Standing-Room Only)
Please bring your ticket to enter the Eventbrite section to the Capitol Tree Lighting. Spots will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. Note: standing room only.
Dec 5, 2016

eventbrite.com/e/ 87th-annual-california-state-capitol-tree- lighting-ceremony-registration-52691833693

Other events include a free summer concert series, jazz concerts and Halloween events.

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.