From musical performances to historical reenactments, there are plenty of holiday events happening in our area to keep you entertained all month long.
Below is a brief overview of the many holiday events happening throughout the greater Mercer County region this month. For the full list, go to mercerspace.com.
Music
Dec. 9: Boheme Opera’s Annual Holiday Presentation, Grounds For Sculpture, 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton. bohemeopera.com. Concert highlighting the photographic exhibition of Elyn Zimmerman. Boheme artists perform selections from Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, and others that enhance the emotions and senses while viewing the artwork. 7 p.m.
Dec. 11: Holiday Classics, Princeton Pro Musica Chorus and Orchestra, Patriots Theater at the War Memorial, Trenton, 609-683-5122. princetonpromusica.org. Performing a suite of carols, holiday songs, and movements from Handel and Bach’s Christmas music with the Trenton Children’s Chorus. $25-60. 4 p.m.
Dec. 11: Krampus Christmas Party, Randy Now’s Man Cave, 134 Farnsworth Ave., Bordentown, 609-424-3766. mancavenj.com. Live Christmas music by Todd Ellis, Mary Mindas, and Frank Pinto. Free. 4 p.m.
Dec. 14: Holiday Sing-Along, Westminster Choir Orchestra, 101 Walnut Lane, Princeton, 609-921-2663. rider.edu/arts. Sing along to a collection of holiday songs, including carols and Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.” Free. 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 17: Christmastide: A Joyous Celebration, VOICES Chorale, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 801 West State Street, Trenton. voiceschorale.org. Performing music by Mozart and Mendelssohn, songs with drums and percussion, and classic Christmas carols. Free. 3 p.m.
Dec. 18: Home for the Holidays, American Boychoir, Richardson Auditorium, Princeton University, 609-258-9220. tickets.princeton.edu. Performing holiday classics, including “This Christmastide” and “Christmas Medley.” $25 to $50. 4 p.m.
Dec. 31: The Capital Philharmonic, Patriots Theater at Trenton War Memorial, 1 Memorial Drive, Trenton, 215-893-1999. capitalphilharmonic.org. New Year’s Eve concert featuring pianist Leon Bates. $30-$75. 8 p.m.
On Stage
Dec. 9: A Christmas Carol, McCarter Theater at Matthews, 91 University Place, Princeton, 609-258-2787. mccarter.org. Reimagined production of Charles Dickens’ classic tale. Through Dec. 31. 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 10: A Very Kelsey Christmas 2016, Kelsey Theater, Mercer Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, 609-570-3333. kelseytheatre.net. Musical Christmas variety show. $18. Also Dec. 11. 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Dec. 16: The Nutcracker, Kelsey Theater, Mercer Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, 609-570-3333. kelseytheatre.net. The New Jersey Youth Ballet. $16. Also Dec. 17 and 18. 7 p.m.
Crafts, tours, boutiques,
lectures and open houses
Dec. 10: Holiday House Tour, Bordentown Historical Society, 302 Farnsworth Ave., Bordentown City, 609-298-5395. downtownbordentown.com. Self-guided walking tour that includes private homes, the 1740 Friends Meeting House, and Cara Barton Schoolhouse. $20. Tour starts at Friends Meeting House. 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Dec. 10: Christmas in Hamilton Craft Show, Ladies Auxiliary Colonial Vol. Fire Co., Colonial Ballroom, 801 Kuser Road, Hamilton, 609-587-0541. Free admission. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Dec. 11: Holiday Candlelight Open House, Rockingham Historic Site, 84 Laurel Ave., Kingston. rockingham.net. House tours of George Washington’s 18th century home. Tours every 30 minutes. Register. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dec. 11: Holiday Open House, Historical Society of Hamilton Township, 2200 Kuser Road, Hamilton. hamiltontownshiphistory.org. Wassail party at the historic John Abbott House Museum. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Dec. 17: Santa’s Sleigh Is on Its Way Storytime, Barnes & Noble, MarketFair, 3535 Route 1, West Windsor, 609-716-1570. bn.com. Activities to follow reading. Free. 11 a.m.
Seasonal events
Dec. 10: Carriage Rides & Holiday Festivities, Downtown Bordentown Association, 224 Farnsworth Ave., Bordentown City, 609-298-9422. downtownbordentown.com. Ride in a horse drawn carriage through the city. Listen to holiday music, have hot chocolate, roast chestnuts, and participate in other holiday activities. $20. Also Dec. 11. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Dec. 10: Visit Santa, Kuser Farm Mansion, 390 Newkirk Ave., Hamilton, 609-890-3630. hamiltonnj.com. Also Dec. 11. 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Dec. 17: Menorah Lighting, Palmer Square, North Hulfish Plaza, Princeton. palmersquare.com. Reception follows at Nassau Inn. Music by Odessa Klezmer Band. Rain or shine. Free. 4:50 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Dec. 24: Santa’s Arrival, Princeton Airport, 41 Airpark Road, Princeton, 609-921-3100. princetonairport.com. Bring a wrapped gift with child’s name in large text and Santa will distribute it when he arrives. Participants are also asked to bring an unwrapped gift of clothing, books, or toys to be distributed through Mercer County Board of Social Services. 11 a.m.
Dec. 24: Second Chanukah Candle Lighting, Adath Israel Congregation, 1958 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrence, 609-896-4977. adathisraelnj.org. Dinner, movie, and lighting. 4 p.m.
Dec. 25: Christmas Day Crossing Re-enactment, Washington Crossing State Park, Route 29, Titusville. 215-493-4076. march with the troops, tour buildings, watch the troops gather, and join fellow countrymen and visitors waiting for the cannon shot that signals the boats to depart from Pennsylvania. 1 p.m.
Dec. 27: Annual Menorah Lighting, Palmer Square, North Plaza, Hulfish Street, Princeton. palmersquare.com. Live music by Odessa Klezmer Band, guest speakers and refreshments. Rain or shine. 5 p.m.
Dec. 30: Colonial Ball, Old Barracks Museum, Trenton Masonic Temple, 100 Barrack Street, Trenton, 609-396-1776. patriotsweek.com. Dance like our founding fathers along with reenactors in Revolutionary War dress, to live music of the time. $20. 7 p.m.
Dec. 31: Battles of Trenton Reenactment, Old Barracks Museum, 100 Barrack Street, Trenton, 609-396-1776. patriotsweek.com. Follow the troops through the streets and watch as they relive the events of Trenton’s Revolutionary War battles.
First battle begins at the Trenton Battle Monument on Warren Street. Second battle begins at 3 p.m. in Mill Hill Park on the Assunpink Creek. Return to the museum to interact with the soldiers and tour the oldest free-standing military barracks in America. Battles are free, $5 museum admission. 11 a.m.
Dec. 31: The Trouble with Trenton, Old Barracks Museum, Hanover Street Plaza, West Hanover and North Warren streets, Trenton, 609-396-1776. patriotsweek.com. Children’s Puppet Show about George Washington’s victory in Trenton. $5. Noon. and 2 p.m.
Dec. 31: Hogmanay, 1719 William Trent House Museum, 15 Market Street, Trenton. williamtrenthouse.org. Celebrate the Scottish new year. Music, mulled cider, and cookies. Free. 1 p.m.
