Seattle Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony Sees Political Demonstration

Portland’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony Sparks Controversy Over Holiday Terminology

Portland, Oregon has come under criticism after hosting its 41st annual tree lighting ceremony without explicitly referencing Christmas, while incorporating political messaging that some attendees found inappropriate for a family-oriented holiday event.

The celebration, held Friday evening at Pioneer Courthouse Square, featured traditional elements including a 75-foot Douglas fir adorned with 9,500 LED lights, a visit from Santa Claus, and Christmas carolers. Despite these holiday trappings, official communications from the city government and event organizers consistently referred to it simply as “Portland’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony,” avoiding the term “Christmas tree.”

During the ceremony, one presenter took the stage waving a Palestinian flag and led the crowd in chants of “Free, free, free Palestine.” The same presenter joined members of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs to perform the “Strong Woman Song,” an intertribal indigenous song. The ceremony also highlighted that the event coincided with Native American Heritage Day.

A tribal representative addressed the crowd about the cultural significance of trees to indigenous peoples: “The tree that we stand beside was once rooted in its own home. Bringing it here holds a complexity that indigenous people, tribal peoples feel deeply in our teachings. The trees, rivers, mountains, all living beings are family—more than the objects and more than the symbols that they might stand for.”

Social media criticism emerged quickly following the event. Independent journalist David Medina wrote on X: “The City of Portland and local media outlets are calling this ‘The Tree’ because they despise Christians like me and many of you so much they can’t bring themselves to say the word ‘Christmas.'” Other conservative commentators echoed similar sentiments, arguing that traditional Christmas celebrations were being deliberately secularized.

Local community journalism outlet PDX Real posted: “Thousands came to the Christmas tree lighting — and many told me parts of the program felt like political messaging that was out of place and inappropriate for a family event. Why are our public traditions being pulled into ideology and virtue signaling instead of serving the community?”

Review of Portland government social media accounts shows that references to the event consistently omitted “Christmas,” with captions like “Portland’s Tree is lit!” and promotional materials referring to it as “the highlight of the Downtown Holiday Season.” This approach appears to have been consistent for several years, with city calendars avoiding the term “Christmas tree lighting” dating back to at least 2019.

Local media coverage was mixed, with some outlets describing it as a “holiday tree” lighting while others did use the term “Christmas tree lighting.” The office of Democratic Mayor Keith Wilson dismissed the criticisms when contacted for comment, stating: “Mayor Wilson was delighted to join Portland’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting alongside Christmas carolers and holiday festivities. That said, framing it otherwise feels like quite the reach.”

The event’s centerpiece—a 75-foot Douglas fir donated by Stimson Lumber—stands as part of a decades-long tradition at Pioneer Courthouse Square, drawing thousands of Portland residents annually to mark the beginning of the holiday season. Despite the controversy surrounding terminology and political messaging, local media reported that many attendees expressed enthusiasm about participating in the community celebration.

The tree will remain on display throughout the holiday season in Portland’s downtown square, continuing a tradition that has become a fixture of the city’s winter celebrations.