PETA's Shocking Stock Move: How Madison Square Garden Could Change Christmas Forever!

For Immediate Release:
April 15, 2026

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

New York – In a bold move aimed at influencing animal welfare practices, PETA has acquired stock in Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (MSGE), the parent company of Radio City Music Hall. The organization plans to leverage its shareholder status to advocate for the elimination of live animals from the nativity scene featured in the annual Christmas Spectacular, a production that has been a beloved holiday tradition for decades. This performance, which runs for several months each winter, has come under scrutiny for its treatment of camels, donkeys, and sheep.

The Christmas Spectacular has been criticized for subjecting these animals to disorienting lights and loud music, causing stress and confusion. When not performing, reports indicate that these animals are confined backstage, often in cramped conditions, including reportedly being kept in a basement for months. After the show, they are returned to facilities that rent animals for circus performances, which have a notorious reputation for mistreating animals to enforce compliance through fear.

“A stage production in an unnatural environment, complete with lights and noise, is extremely stressful and confusing to camels and other animals who should never be treated like living props,” says PETA President Tracy Reiman. “Now that PETA is a stockholder, we will bring the issue straight to the boardroom and call on MSG Entertainment to leave animals out of the Christmas Spectacular.”

PETA is not stopping at simply purchasing stock; the organization is also urging the show’s sponsors, including major corporations like Chase, Lexus, and Verizon, to withdraw their support unless MSG Entertainment agrees to stop using live animals. This call to action underscores a growing movement in the entertainment industry that seeks to replace live animal acts with innovative alternatives. PETA points out that some of New York’s most successful productions, such as Broadway’s The Lion King, have demonstrated that captivating performances can be achieved through brilliant puppetry and advanced technology without involving live animals.

PETA’s advocacy is rooted in its core belief that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment.” As part of their mission, the organization promotes empathy towards animals and offers free Empathy Kits aimed at educating the public on compassionate treatment of all living beings. This initiative aligns with broader societal trends that increasingly support animal rights and welfare.

The conversation surrounding animal use in entertainment is not new. Over recent years, there has been significant backlash against traditional practices that involve live animals, particularly in circuses and theatrical performances. As public sentiment shifts towards more humane treatment of animals, companies are feeling the pressure to adapt their practices or risk losing both audience support and financial backing from sponsors.

PETA's recent actions serve as a reminder of the power of shareholder activism in advocating for ethical changes within large corporations. By taking a financial stake in MSG Entertainment, PETA aims to bring a critical issue to the forefront of corporate governance discussions, challenging the status quo of animal use in entertainment. The outcome of this initiative may pave the way for other organizations to adopt similar strategies in their pursuits of animal welfare.

As this situation unfolds, the focus will remain on the impact of PETA's efforts not only on MSG Entertainment but also on the broader entertainment industry. Will this lead to a significant shift away from using live animals in productions? As consumers become increasingly conscious of ethical considerations, the pressure on companies to adopt more humane practices will likely intensify, signaling a potential turning point in how animal performances are perceived and implemented in the future.

For further information, visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.