Alec Baldwin bashes Radio City’s live-animal Nativity scenes in new activist ads targeting Christmas Spectacular

Alec Baldwin is once again drawing attention to animal rights, this time criticizing Radio City Music Hall’s iconic Christmas Spectacular for using live animals in its Nativity scenes.

The “30 Rock” star stars in a new PETA-backed TV ad set to air on Canada’s CTV starting Thursday, highlighting what he calls the “highly stressful” conditions for the show’s sheep, camels, and donkeys.

“Animals are not actors or props,” Baldwin, 67, says in the 30-second spot. “They’re subjected to transport, confinement in a basement for months, and the stressful lights and sounds of a stage production.”

Activists staged a demonstration outside an opening matinee on Thursday, featuring performers dressed as sad Rockette “toy soldiers” holding signs reading, “Celebrate Rockettes’ 100 Years by Kicking Out Animal Cruelty.”

MSG Entertainment, which owns Radio City Music Hall, pushed back, saying Baldwin and PETA are relying on outdated information. According to a spokesperson, the animals come from an upstate sanctuary and are regularly checked by city and state officials.

PETA protestors dressed as Rockettes hold signs saying "Take Cruelty Out of Christmas. Drop Animal Acts!" and "Radio City: End Animal Acts Now!" outside Radio City Music Hall. — PETA-hired stilt walkers dressed as Radio City Rockettes hold signs protesting the live Nativity scenes outside Radio City Music Hall Thursday. Michael Nigro

“Mr. Baldwin is incorrect in his assumptions,” the spokesperson said, adding that the sanctuary’s name would not be shared. “The safety of the animals in the Christmas Spectacular’s beloved ‘Living Nativity’ scene is always our priority, and they are provided with exceptional round-the-clock care throughout the show’s limited run.”

Despite this, animal rights activists insist the time has come to remove live animals from the show entirely after its 91-year history.

“Animals at Radio City Music Hall are essentially kept in basements and back rooms,” PETA campaigner Mason Melito said, promising the protests will continue “as long as they’re using animals in their show.”

A person holds a flyer titled "Radio City's Cruelmas Spectacular, Exploiting Camels, Sheep, and Donkeys," protesting animal cruelty. — PETA campaigners distributed pamphlets in Midtown blasting Radio City’s “Cruelmas Spectacular.” Michael Nigro

The campaign is part of a broader push urging sponsors such as Chase, Lexus, and Verizon to withdraw support from the “exploitative” production until live animals are no longer used. More than 30,610 people have signed a petition on PETA’s website demanding the change.

Animal welfare advocates point to previous efforts to limit live animal use in New York City events, from St. John the Divine’s annual Blessing of the Animals to a controversial Guggenheim exhibition.

A camel standing in a room with tiled walls and various supplies on the floor. — A photograph of a camel in Radio City Music Hall’s basement, circulated by PETA. PETA

“In 2017, New Yorkers and the City Council took a stand against cruelty by banning wild animals in circuses, and that same compassion should extend to the camels, sheep, and donkeys used in this production,” said Edita Birnkrant, executive director of NYCLASS. “These animals are confined, trucked around, and forced to perform under blinding lights and loud music — all completely unnecessary in a modern show. The true spirit of Christmas is about peace and compassion, and exploiting animals for entertainment goes against that.”

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