Holiday Happenings that Entertain and Others that Give Back

You simply have to walk down the street or into stores to be reminded it is time for the holiday season. Now that the tricks and treats have passed, Thanksgiving is approaching and many around us are gearing up for the winter holidays. Princeton streetlamps are wrapped in holiday lights, stores have begun looping holiday music, and when night falls, houses are glowing in lights, too. One aspect of Princeton that attracts many to this area, is it is home to a wide array of people and religions. Yet, whether you have a holiday to celebrate or not, it can be hard not to feel the joy and excitement all around. Should you choose, there are many happenings in the area that can help you get into and take part in the holiday spirit as well.

MUSIC OF THE SEASON

If for you, that means music, then open your calendar and get ready to attend some live performances. Between Westminster Choir College, Princeton University Concerts, Princeton Symphony Orchestra, Princeton Pro Musica and Capital Philharmonic of NJ, there are multiple evenings of entertainment being offered.

Princeton University Chapel will be the site to the first two musical events of the season. On December 7^th, you can gather family and friends for Princeton University Concert’s performance of A Chanticleer Christmas. Enjoy a variety of a capella choral music from Chanticleer, the Grammy-winning ensemble known to have “an orchestra of voices.” Westminster Choir College of Rider University will then hold their holiday concert, An Evening of Readings and Carols, on December 13^th and 14^th. The music will feature the Chapel Choir, Symphonic Choir, Concert Bell Choir, Jubilee Singers and Westminster Choir.

For years, Princetonians have also looked forward to Princeton Symphony Orchestra’s annual Holiday POPS. This year, the December 14^th event will feature Broadway vocalist Andrea Ross and include longtime holiday favorites, traditional carols and the beloved sing-along which has included the Princeton High School (PHS) Choir since 2003.

“The Holiday POPS has become a tradition for us and is now part of our festive season,” shares Princeton resident Rene Obregon. “It’s also a time for 3 generations of our family to get together, dress up and listen to holiday classics in an amazing venue. This year and next it’s extra special because our youngest performs with the PHS choir on stage. And I can’t forget the ‘sing-along’ at the end that everyone gets involved in (regardless of your singing ability!). We are lucky to live in a town that offers these types of events, and we are proud to support them.”

For another night of music, Princeton University’s Richardson Auditorium will host A Feast of Carols performed by award-winning Princeton Pro Musica on December 15^th. Described as bringing “together all the sounds of the season,” this concert will include holiday classics and favorites in a choral-orchestral arrangement.

If you love the live festive performance, but want something more secular, Conductor Sebastian Grand will lead Capital Philharmonic of NJ at The New Year’s Eve: The Tradition Continues on December 31^st with a repertoire including the music of greats such as Johanne Strauss, Leonard Bernstein, Nino Rota and George Gershwin. A champagne reception and desserts will be held backstage after the concert, with members from the Philharmonic continuing as a jazz trio helping you ring in the new year in style.

SPECIAL EVENTS AND PRODUCTIONS

Beyond music, there are many other special events and performances you can experience this holiday season.

Morven Museum & Garden has chosen a theme for its annual Festival of Trees this year with inspiration from its current exhibition Morven Revealed: Untold Stories from New Jersey’s Most Historic Home. One of the stories that is detailed there is about Governor Richard Hughes, from just before he became governor and just weeks after he lost his first wife, Miriam. It explains: “Hughes did his best to pull Christmas together for his four small children, but nothing seemed right. When his Jewish friends got word of his situation, they arrived on Christmas Eve ready to decorate the tree. The interdenominational Christmas Eve visit became a tradition that continued after Hughes married Betty. She christened the event “Deck the Halls with Matzo Balls!”  And so, from November 20^th through January 5^th, Festival of Trees 2024 “Deck the Halls with Matza Balls” will include displays created by local groups, clubs, schools and nonprofits.

Local resident, Nessa Tallo regularly attends this event and is looking forward to it again this year. “The festival of trees is such a sweet event where people get to peruse the beautiful museum galleries, mantels and porches all decorated with clever themes for the season. It’s a very relaxed environment to take in the spirit of the holidays. I’ve been there when it’s not busy and I walk around wondering what it was like to live in such a grand place. I love that the museum is decorated by local organizations in town. You get to vote for your favorite décor, which adds to the fun.”

Two other favorite traditions in Princeton take place at McCarter Theatre, The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol. Just before Thanksgiving, you can attend the opening performances of American Repertory Ballet’s The Nutcracker, November 29^th through December 1^st (it will then move on throughout December to Two River Theater in Red Bank, Patriots Theater at Trenton’s War Memorial and State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick). Then from December 10^th through 29^th, A Christmas Carol returns. The magical journey of Ebenezer Scrooge is a seasonal joy for many.

If you enjoy theater, there will be four more holiday performances at Kelsey Theatre at Mercer this December. You can bring your family to share in the excitement of Santa at ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas on December 6^th-8^th. Another portrayal of The Nutcracker will dance across the stage December 13^th through 15^th. Also, on December 14^th, the White Christmas Movie Sing-Along will be held, as the audience are guided to sing and play along with the movie. This event is complete with holiday treats and an ugly Christmas sweater contest! And lastly, The Kelsey Holiday Extravaganza is a concert-style show on December 20^th through 22^nd, to highlight the holiday magic just before Christmas.

SHOPPING FOR A CAUSE

Beyond the stage, the spirit of the holidays can also be felt when you do for others. This year, you can benefit several local charities, while buying something special for yourself or those you love.

Start your morning on November 23^rd at the HomeFront Holiday Market, which will be raising money for families in need at its ‘Homemade for the Holidays’ themed event. More than 40 local artisans will offer up holiday décor, clothing, art, one-of-a-kind items and other specialty gifts at HomeFront’s Lawrenceville Campus. The event will also be held on November 24^th.

Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie Holiday Boutique, in the afternoons of November 23^rd and 24^th, will benefit its collections and programs. The museum will open up its galleries to local artisans selling unique and homemade crafts, jewelry, artwork and more.

If you like to shop and lunch, you can do so December 3^rd at the Greenwood House Holiday Gift Boutique at Cobblestone Creek in Lawrenceville. You can feed your soul by shopping through a room full of vendors selling high quality brands and homemade items, then feed your body at the lunch buffet in the neighboring room (registration and a fee for lunch are required). Proceeds benefit Greenwood House’s senior care services and facilities.

“The Greenwood House Holiday Gift Boutique is a fabulous event with top-notch vendors for all your holiday shopping!” shares local Linda Grenis. “It’s a great day to shop and to lunch with friends at Cobblestone Creek Country Club. Greenwood House is the last nonprofit senior organization in Mercer County, NJ, so it’s a true benefit for you to come shop till you drop!”

If you prefer a drink over a nosh, on December 4^th adults are invited to support Pennington’s The Watershed Institute at the 2^nd Annual Sip & Shop Holiday Market. Check out the craft offerings while you sip on beverages and enjoy light refreshments as well.

With your calendar full of ways that you can have a taste of the holiday season, we hope that you are excited and looking forward to all the area has to offer. By the time the new year rolls around, you should be full of spirit and ready for 2025.