Skip to agency navigation
Skip to main content

Official Website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    The .gov means its official.

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    New Lighting System Illuminates Pennsylvania Capitol Ahead of Schedule

    The new system provides a vibrant and versatile display, continuing the tradition of lighting the front of the Capitol in various colors to recognize special causes and events.

    December 16, 2024

    Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Department of General Services (DGS) announced that the installation of its new state-of-the-art lighting system illuminating the front of the Pennsylvania Capitol Building is complete and fully operational – weeks ahead of schedule. Originally slated to be finished in early 2025, the new system provides a vibrant and versatile display, continuing the tradition of lighting the front of the Capitol in various colors in recognition of special causes and events.

    "The installation of this new lighting system reflects our commitment to maintaining the beauty and functionality of the Capitol building while honoring the many causes and events that bring Pennsylvanians together," said Jason Snyder, DGS Deputy Secretary for Property and Asset Management. "We are excited to see the Capitol illuminated once again and thank all those involved in expediting the replacement process."

    The new system replaces the previous fixtures, which became non-operational earlier this year due to damaged wiring. Installed on the balcony of the Lt. Governor’s office in 2013, the old system had suffered a power surge and age-related wear, rendering it unusable.

    The newly installed fixtures maintain the capability to produce red, green, blue, and white lights, which can be blended to create a full spectrum of colors, ensuring that the Capitol can once again serve as a visual symbol of support and recognition for community initiatives and statewide celebrations.

    The former lighting system replaced an earlier method of using colored gels over balcony lights. The front of the Capitol was illuminated to commemorate a special cause for the first time in 2007 when it was lit blue to celebrate and raise awareness for World Diabetes Day. The Capitol has been illuminated a variety of colors to commemorate initiatives and special causes an average of 95 times annually ever since. The new system’s enhanced technology ensures continued energy efficiency, reliability, and a stunning visual display.

    Individuals or organizations interested in submitting Capitol illumination requests can contact DGS’ Special Events Office for more information.