Princeton trades in its traditional orange and black for the red, green, and blue of Christmas and Hanukkah with a full schedule of holiday concerts, shows, and other festive fun to celebrate the season.
Princeton University Concerts
The Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer makes its return for a classic holiday program of a cappella choral music, ranging from Renaissance masterworks to spirituals. $30 to $50. Saturday, December 7, 7:30 p.m. Princeton University Chapel. concerts.princeton.edu.
Princeton University Chapel
The Messiah Sing, the traditional community singing of Handel’s Messiah, returns, accompanied by organ, strings, and trumpet. Those wishing to join the chorus can bring a score or borrow one at the door. Others can just sit back and listen. Admission is free. Monday, December 9, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
A Yuletide Feast for Organ and Brass features University Organist Eric Plutz and Timberdale Brass in a concert highlighting music for brass quintet, organ solo, and combined forces. The program includes several opportunities for the audience to join in singing Christmas carols. Free. Sunday, December 8, 2:30 p.m.
The Candlelight Service of Lessons & Carols is a service of readings and music of the season featuring the Princeton Chapel Choir and Princeton University a cappella groups. Free. Wednesday, December 4, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. chapel.princeton.edu.
Also at the Chapel:
Westminster Choir College of Rider University will celebrate An Evening of Readings and Carols, the annual event created by WCC faulty members James Jordan and Kathleen Ebling Shaw. Based on the King’s College service in England, the event features Bible texts, hymns, prayers, and other musical and spoken expression from around world. Groups presenting include Westminster’s Chapel Choir, Symphonic Choir, Concert Bell Choir, Jubilee Singers, and Westminster Choir. $25 to $70. Princeton University Chapel, Friday and Saturday, December 13 and 14, 8 p.m. rider.edu/about/events/evening-readings-carols.
Princeton Symphony Orchestra
“Holiday Pops,” another annual tradition, features Broadway vocalist Andrea Ross, the Princeton Symphony Orchestra conducted by John Devlin, and the Princeton High School Choir. This year’s program includes popular favorites such as “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “The Christmas Song,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” and more in addition to traditional carols and the annual sing-along $30 to $110. Richardson Auditorium, Princeton University. Saturday, December 14, 3 and 6 p.m. princetonsymphony.org.
Princeton Pro Musica
“A Feast of Carols” features favorites from Handel’s Messiah and the Christmas music of Bach, classic carols in choral-orchestral arrangement, and more. Vocal soloists are Claire Leyden, soprano, and Charles Wesley Evans, baritone. $12 to $81. Richardson Auditorium, Princeton University. Sunday, December 15, 4 p.m. princetonpromusica.org.
New Jersey Symphony
This year’s traditional holiday presentation of Handel’s “Messiah” will be conducted by guest conductor Jeannette Sorrell, founder and artistic director of Apollo’s Fire. Joining the Symphony and Sorrell are guest vocalists: Sonya Headlam, soprano; John Holiday, countertenor; Ed Lyon, tenor; and Kevin Deas, bass-baritone. Singing the choral sections are the Montclair State University Singers, under the direction of Heather J. Buchanan. $29 to $99. Richardson Auditorium, Princeton University. Friday and Saturday, December 20 and 21, 8 p.m. njsymphony.org.
Voices Chorale
“Sing Out, My Soul!” is the Hopewell-based chorus’s 2024 holiday event. The program includes Vivaldi’s masterful Gloria performed with chamber orchestra, plus contemporary compositions and arrangements that celebrate this season of community and connection. Singers from Capital Harmony Works’ Trenton Children’s Chorus join in the performance. $25. Trinity Church, 33 Mercer Street. Livestream available. Saturday, December 14, 4 p.m. voiceschoralenj.org.
Princeton Society of Musical Amateurs
The community group celebrating its 90th year hosts its traditional Choral Reading of Handel’s Messiah, conducted by Ruth Ochs. All are welcome to join in the sing-along. Vocal scores will be provided. $10. Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton, 50 Cherry Hill Road. Sunday, December 22, 4 p.m. musicalamateurs.org.
Princeton Theological Seminary
“Carols of Many Nations” is the Chapel Choir and Seminary Singers’ annual welcoming of the Christmas season with a service featuring scripture readings, anthems, and carols in various languages representing the diversity of the seminary’s community. Free; ticket required. As of press time, all three services were full. Wednesday, December 11, 3:30, 6:30, and 8:30 p.m. Princeton Theological Seminary Chapel, Mercer Street. ptsem.edu.
Princeton Singers
“A Rose in Winter,” the traditional Christmas performance featuring a range of seasonal works, is conducted by artistic director Steven Sametz. Free. Trinity Church, 33 Mercer Street. Friday, December 13, 6 p.m. princetonsingers.org.
McCarter Theater
“A Christmas Carol” returns with many of the same features as its 2023 production: an adaptation written and directed by New York-based theater artist and former Guthrie Theater associate producer Lauren Keating and starring “Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s” Joel McKinnon Miller as Ebenezer Scrooge. $33 to $113. December 10 through 29. 91 University Place. mccarter.org.
Princeton Youth Ballet
The company’s annual “The Nutcracker” presentation leans into a heartwarming, coming-of-age story, teasing out sparkling and humorous narrative details to enhance the experience of the traditional ballet for children. $30. Princeton High School Performing Arts Center, 16 Walnut Lane. Saturday, December 7, 4 p.m., and Sunday, December 8, noon and 4 p.m. princetonyouthballet.org.
Princeton Garden Theatre
The theater offers a selection of holiday classics for all ages between Black Friday and Christmas Eve.
For the family, there is a series of matinee presentations, all priced at $5: “Elf,” Friday, November 29, 10 a.m.; “A Christmas Story,” Saturday, November 30, 10 a.m.; “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” Saturday, December 7, 10 a.m.; “The Polar Express,” Saturday, December 14, 10 a.m.; “The Grinch,” Saturday, December 21, 10 a.m.; and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” Tuesday, December 24, 11 a.m.
As part of its Deep Focus series, the theater presents the 1947 film “It Happened on Fifth Avenue,” a screwball comedy about two homeless men who move into a rich businessman’s New York City mansion while his is away wintering in the South. When the daughter of the businessman shows up, romantic sparks fly. The screening takes place Sunday, December 8, at 1 p.m. This will be followed by a virtual seminar and discussion with TCM writer Hannah Jack on Tuesday, December 17, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the film are $13.75; the discussion is free with registration.
Also on the schedule are a handful of beloved holiday films. Tickets are $13.75.
“It’s a Wonderful Life,” Wednesday, December 11, 7 p.m., and Sunday, December 22, 1 p.m.; “Home Alone,” Wednesday, December 18, 7 p.m.; and “Diehard,” Friday, December 20, 9:45 p.m. 160 Nassau Street. princetongardentheatre.org.
Palmer Square
The annual Holiday Jam & Toy Drive featuring performances by Princeton University a cappella groups is free for all to enjoy. Attendees are asked to bring a toy for ages 10 and under to benefit the Princeton YWCA St. Nicholas project. Thursday, December 5, 5 to 7 p.m.
The Annual Menorah Lighting is on Wednesday, December 18, at 4:30 p.m.
And Santa and festive music can be found in the square every Saturday and Sunday afternoon until Christmas. Seasonal festivities culminate in a Christmas Eve Sing-A-Long on the green led by the Palmer Square Christmas Eve Brass Band and punctuated by a visit from Santa. Tuesday, December 24, 5 to 6 p.m. palmersquare.com/events-calendar.
Arts Council of Princeton
The arts organization’s Artist Chalet Winter Village outdoor project features artisans and artists selling artwork, cards, jewelry, handcrafts, and more. Each week features a different roster of artists and crafters. Look for the village at Hinds Plaza, next to Princeton Public Library. Active through December 22, Thursday through Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. artscouncilofprinceton.org.
Morven Museum
The historic building’s annual Festival of Trees display is up and welcoming visitors with decorated rooms and mantels. The 2024 theme, Traditions & Celebrations, is inspired by Morven’s history and the stories of its residents from the exhibition currently on view, Morven Revealed: Untold Stories from New Jersey’s Most Historic Home (through March 2, 2025), which includes former New Jersey Governor Richard Hughes and his wife, Betty Hughes:
“Nothing makes a house a home more than holiday traditions. A particularly special one began on Christmas Eve 1950 in Trenton. Richard Hughes, who was not yet governor, had suddenly lost his first wife, Miriam, weeks earlier. 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!”
The list of 2024 decorators includes American Repertory Ballet/Princeton Ballet School, Arts Council of Princeton/Princeton Nursery School, Contemporary Garden Club of Princeton, Adam Fenstersheim, The Garden Club of Princeton, Historical Society of Princeton, Lawrenceville Main Street Landscape Committee, Katelyn Liepins, Mount Laurel Garden Club, Nottingham Garden Club of Hamilton, Princeton Garden Theatre, Princeton Ski and Sail Club, Stony Brook Garden Club of Princeton, Toobydoo Princeton, The West Trenton Garden Club, Westrick Music Academy: Princeton Girlchoir and Princeton Boychoir, and West Windsor Arts. $10. 55 Stockton Street. Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., through January 5. morven.org.
Drumthwacket
New Jersey’s official governor’s mansion is opening the 19th-century Greek revival-style house to visitors with holiday displays. Guests view six first-floor public rooms festively decorated by the Garden Clubs of New Jersey, enjoy holiday piano music in the Music Room, and a sweet treat freshly prepared by Greta’s House, Princeton.
Tours are self-guided, but docents are available to answer questions. Interior photography is only permitted in the library. Guests may tour the grounds, weather permitting, and visit the Olden House gift shop on the property.
The free one-hour open house tours are set for Wednesday through Saturday, December 4 through 7, and Wednesday, December 11, at 11 a.m., noon, and 1 p.m. Reservations are required. 354 Stockton Street. drumthwacket.org.
Princeton Youth Ballet's 'Nutcracker' production is December 7 and 8 at the Princeton High School Performing Arts Center.,
Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ is back again at McCarter Theate.,
