The City of Trenton’s holiday celebration starts on Saturday, December 7, at 6 p.m. with the annual Christmas parade on West Jefferson Avenue (from Cherry to Maple streets). Afterward is the tree lighting outside city hall. The ceremony features musical performances, Santa Claus, cookies, hot cocoa and refreshments.
But the city is not celebrating alone. From dance and music to art and gifts, Trenton’s cultural organizations are providing an entire month of merriment and holiday programming to get everyone in the festive spirit.
Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie
Two temporary exhibits mark the holidays at the Trenton City Museum. “Children’s Christmas Toys,” curated by Karl J. Flesch and Deborah Gorczycki, offers “a whimsical look at some children’s Christmas toys from the past” including Trenton’s Horsman dolls, miniature Mercer automobiles, Trenton-made snow globes, Chein metal toys, and more. “Persian Red Trenton Art China (TAC),” also curated by Flesch, features some of the most famous giftware produced by the Trenton Potteries Company in the early 20th century. Both exhibits are on view through January 26, 2025.
Trenton City Museum, Cadawalader Park, Trenton. ellarslie.org.
Mill Hill Holiday House and Window Tour
The 57th annual House Tour of 19th century homes in Trenton’s historic downtown district is a tradition featuring window displays and special decorations, with some of the homeowners hosting visitors with holiday music, refreshments, and insightful conversation on their stoops and sidewalks. Santa and Mrs. Claus will pay a visit, and food trucks and holiday music will add to the festive atmosphere. $20. Tickets can eb purchased in advance sale or day of.
The tour begins at Artworks located at 19 Everett Alley and South Stockton Street, Trenton. Saturday, December 7, noon to 5 p.m. trentonmillhill.org/events.
Passage Theatre
The Trenton community theater celebrating its 40th anniversary year hosts a holiday sing-along and fundraiser hosted by John Flynn and emceed by Leticia Williams. Cookies, coffee, and wine will be served at 6 p.m. ahead of the 7 p.m. show. $40.
Saturday, December 7, 7 p.m. Mill Hill Playhouse, 205 East Front Street, Trenton. passagetheatre.org.
Decorated Wreath Sale
The Trent House Association and the Garden Club of Trenton are continuing their decades-long partnership selling decorated wreaths for the December holidays.
The talented and creative members of the Garden Club will decorate fragrant balsam wreathes from Maine, accented them with freshly harvested sprigs of silvery and aromatic eucalyptus, shiny magnolia tips, faux red berries, and seasonal ribbons. The wreaths are available in two sizes: 22” diameter with red accents ($67) and 20” diameter with gold accents ($57).
New this year is pre-ordering online on the Garden Club website at gardencluboftrenton.org/products/seasonal-wreath. All wreaths will be available for pickup on Saturday, December 7, at the Trent House or in Pennington or Hopewell. Pick-up arrangements will be confirmed with buyers by December 3.
Proceeds to benefit the William Trent House and the Garden Club of Trenton. William Trent House, 15 Market Street, Trenton. williamtrenthouse.org.
Capital Singers of Trenton
The Trenton-based choral group takes its show on the road and joins forces with the Warminster Symphony Orchestra for “A Holiday to Remember.” The program includes popular and classical holiday favorites as well as the Finale from Ralph Vaughan William’s masterwork, the cantata, “Dona Nobis Pacem.” $25.
William Tennent Auditorium, 333 Centennial Road, Warminster, Pennsylvania. Saturday, December 7, 7:30 p.m. warminstersymphony.org.
American Repertory Ballet
“The Nutcracker,” the company’s annual holiday presentation of Tchaikovsky’s musical journey through an enchanted world, comes to the Trenton War Memorial for two performances. $15 to $35. Saturday, December 14, 1 and 5 p.m. 1 Memorial Drive Trenton. arballet.org.
Wreck the Halls
The holiday edition of the Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market, the country’s largest do-it-yourself convention and marketplace, runs Friday through Sunday, December 13 through 15, from 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekend. General admission is $15.
Hundreds of artists and creators from more than 30 states will be on hand to sell their wares. Also part of the fun are a selection of food trucks, celebrity guests, on-site tattooing, classic pop up arcades and art galleries, live music, and DJs.
CURE Insurance Area, 81 Hamilton Avenue, Trenton. trentonprfm.com.
10×10 Red Dot Fundraising Exhibition
This unique annual tradition offers people the chance to give the gift of affordable art for the holidays while also supporting up-and-coming regional artists and the nonprofit Artworks Trenton.
More than 100 Trenton area artists — experienced and novice alike — create art on a 10”x10” canvas. The diverse works are created specifically for Artworks in oil, acrylic, mixed media, photography, pastel, watercolor, and more. Every piece in the exhibit is for sale for $100, with proceeds split evenly between the artist and Artworks.
The exhibit and sale open with a reception on Saturday, December 14, from 6 to 9 p.m. The show and sale continue through Saturday, January 4.
Artworks Trenton, 19 Everett Alley, Trenton. artworkstrenton.org.
Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea
The orchestra led by Father Alphonse from St. Peter’s Church in Point Pleasant Beach performs “Sounds of Christmas,” a benefit concert for the Mount Carmel Guild of Trenton. Proceeds support the nonprofit’s mission to provide critical services such as food assistance and healthcare to those in need. $45. Thursday, December 19, 7 p.m.
Immaculate Conception Church, 540 Chestnut Avenue, Trenton. mtcarmelguild.org/events/sounds-of-christmas-benefit-concert.
The LOTUS Project
The Trenton music and arts group invites audiences to experience the joy of Christmas through an inspiring collection of carols from diverse traditions at “Christmas Journeys: Carols Across Nations.” The concert brings together the sounds of Christmas from Guatemala, Nigeria, America, and Haiti in a moving celebration of music and culture. Featuring performances by The LOTUS Project, St. Mary of the Assumption Guatemalan Choir, and the BITICC Youth Choir, audiences will enjoy a unique journey through each nation’s distinctive musical traditions, highlighting the shared spirit of joy and togetherness.
Following the concert, guests are invited to a reception featuring traditional Christmas dishes. Admission is by free-will offering, with a suggested donation of $25.
St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, 202 Grand Street, Trenton. Sunday, December 29, 4 p.m. thelotusprojectnj.org.
New Jersey Capital Philharmonic
The Trenton orchestra’s annual New Year’s Eve concert opens with Leonard Bernstein’s Overture to Candide and has music by artists including Johan Strauss, George Gershwin and Richard Rogers led by conductor Sebastian Grand.
A champagne reception with desserts and a jazz trio featuring members of our orchestra will be held after the concert. $32 to $60.
Trenton War Memorial, 1 Memorial Drive, Trenton. Tuesday, December 31, 8 p.m. capitalphilharmonic.org.
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