Vegas PBS is proud to present From Nevada: The Journey of Our Nation’s Christmas Tree, an original production about Silver Belle, the first Capitol Christmas Tree to come from the State of Nevada. From Nevada, premiering Friday, December 19 at 8 p.m. on Vegas PBS, will feature the Forest Service rangers, civil servants and everyday Americans who make this beloved tradition possible.
The tradition of the Capitol Christmas Tree took root in 1964 after a suggestion made by House Speaker John W. McCormack (Architect of the Capitol, 2025). In 1970, the USDA Forest Service began providing trees from forests across the country, evolving the tradition into a moment of representation and national unity during the holiday season.
In 2025, for the first time since the tradition began, the Capitol Christmas Tree hails from Nevada. Silver Belle, a 53-foot Red Fir Tree, was selected from nine candidates statewide. The tree was lit in a ceremony on Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
In From Nevada, Vegas PBS is excited to take viewers on a behind-the-scenes journey from the tree’s origin in the Carson Range of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, through a whistle-stop tour across the country and finally to Washington. There, it is adorned with ornaments and a tree skirt assembled by school children and crafts people all from Nevada.
From Nevada producer Chris DeFranco shares why Nevadans should take great pride in Silver Belle: “Nevada is incredibly diverse. Diverse in geography, diverse in culture and diverse in people. Through the Capitol Christmas Tree, the Silver State gets a chance to celebrate its unique identity and promote goodwill and harmony during the holidays.”
From Nevada premieres on Vegas PBS Friday, December 19 at 8 p.m. It will also be available to stream on-demand with the PBS App as well as on vegaspbs.org/tree
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