The Christmas tree in the Capitol rotunda in Harrisburg on Dec. 8, 2025 (Photo by Ian Karbal/Pennsylvania Capital-Star)
The annual Christmas Tree lighting in the Capitol rotunda Monday showed off a 25-foot Douglas Fir grown at Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Carbon County.
It’s decorated with over 2,400 lights and roughly 1,700 ornaments handmade by children and seniors across the commonwealth.
Gov. Josh Shapiro, first lady Lori Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis were on hand for the event.
Gov. Josh Shapiro examines an ornament on the Capitol Christmas tree. Dec. 8, 2025 (Photo by Ian Karbal/Pennsylvania Capital-Star)
Shapiro called it the tallest tree to adorn the rotunda in more than a decade.
“I want you to know it just fills my heart with joy,” Shapiro said. “It reminds me I’m part of a broader community, and I think it puts a smile on people’s faces.”
Shapiro is the first Jewish governor of Pennsylvania. He and his family have continued the tradition of decorating the Governor’s Residence for Christmas.
“While our family celebrates Hanukkah this time of year, it was really important to us to continue the tradition of transforming the governor’s residence into a home filled with Christmas cheer,” Lori Shapiro said. “Christmas brings joy and we love being a part of it.”
The Central Dauphin High School Choir sang, and Rev. Anjel Scarborough, rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Hershey, provided an invocation.
Scarborough began by noting the “challenges” 2025 has brought — uncertainty, polarization, and violence. That included the firebombing of the governor’s residence on the Jewish Passover holiday in April, which was not mentioned directly.
“In a season with these kinds of challenges, it’s important to lean into two things,” she said. “The power of hope and the necessity of courage.”
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis also spoke, imploring Pennsylvanians to be kind to those, regardless of their faith, who may be alone, struggling or grieving through the holidays.
“That’s the true spirit of Christmas,” he said. “I hope you all will join me in that spirit.”
Scarborough ended the ceremony with a reading of the Franciscan Benediction.
The Pennsylvania Capitol in downtown Harrisburg on Dec. 2, 2025. (Photo by Tim Lambert/Pennsylvania Capital-Star)
“May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart,” she said. “May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.”
The tree will remain in the main rotunda through Jan. 7, and will be lit from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Another tree on the Capitol steps will also remain until the 8th and be illuminated from 5 p.m. to midnight daily.