The annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the California Capitol in Sacramento will not be held in person this year due to concerns of potential protests. California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, will instead host a pre-recorded virtual ceremony that will be released on Wednesday. The decision was made in light of ongoing protests across the country that have impacted the safety of various events, including those involving children and families. The ceremony, which reportedly dates back to the 1930s, was originally scheduled for Tuesday, according to a permit posted online. However, barriers were erected around the tree earlier this week, as the Sacramento Regional Coalition for Palestinian Rights had planned a "tree lighting protest" for the same day.

The cancellation of the in-person event has sparked criticism towards Governor Newsom, with some accusing him of remaining silent on the conflict in Gaza. The Sacramento Regional Coalition for Palestinian Rights released a statement claiming that Newsom chose to cancel the ceremony in order to avoid facing an enraged public upset by his alleged silence on what they refer to as the "genocide in Gaza." The group also pointed out that this decision contradicts Newsom's past support for Native Americans. It is worth noting that Newsom had traveled to Israel in October and met with victims of the Hamas attack.

Protests targeting California Democrats have been on the rise since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began in October. Last month, the California Democratic Party had to cancel some events during its endorsement convention in Sacramento after protesters forced their way into the convention hall.

The Christmas tree itself, a 60-foot red fir, was cut down from the LaTour Demonstration Forest in Shasta County and installed last month. It is adorned with 10,000 LED lights and nearly 200 ornaments crafted by children and adults with developmental disabilities. The virtual ceremony will feature performances by the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, the Wilton Rancheria, and representatives of the Department of Developmental Services' regional centers. Five-year-old Harley Goodpasture, a member of the Pala Band of Mission Indians, will have the honor of lighting the tree, symbolizing the over 400,000 Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities who receive services from the state's nonprofit regional centers.

This year's Capitol holiday tree lighting ceremony marks the 92nd edition of the event. It was also held virtually in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which discouraged in-person gatherings worldwide. The cancellation of the holiday market that was planned to accompany the tree lighting was announced by the Midtown Association last month, citing concerns over protests taking place across the country. Unlike the recent Rockefeller Center Tree lighting in New York City, where a large group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered near the event without causing major disruptions, the California Capitol opted for a virtual ceremony to ensure the safety and security of all participants.