Festive Holiday Happenings

From singing carols and decorating Christmas trees, to visiting Santa and spending time with family and friends, this is the most wonderful time of the year. What better way to kick off the holiday season and continue the joyful celebration than with these festive events?

Now – December 24

The North Pole Express

Flemington Station, 80 Stangl Road, Flemington; Various times
‍www.blackriverrailroad.com

Take a train ride on The North Pole Express to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus! Enjoy cookies and hot chocolate while singing along with Santa’s elves. Tell Santa your Christmas wish, take your photo in Santa’s sleigh, and more. The train operates rain or shine; allow approximately two and a half hours for your trip.

‍

Now – January 8

Annual Festival of Trees

Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton; Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
‍www.morven.org

Morven Museum’s annual Festival of Trees is a Princeton holiday tradition. Visitors will enjoy the museum’s elegant galleries, hallways, and verandas gorgeously decorated for the holidays by local businesses, garden clubs, and nonprofits (on view through January 8, closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day).

‍

December 3

Kick Off the Holiday Season Weekend

Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton; 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
‍www.terhuneorchards.com

Enjoy fun for the whole family with wagon rides and visits to the animals in the barnyard. You can pick the perfect Christmas tree and wreath and start shopping with Terhune’s unique gift baskets with farm-grown fruit, baked goods, and wine. Warm up around a fire pit with hot mulled wine and try their award-winning wines in the Tasting Room from noon to 5:00 pm. Sample homemade baked goods, cheeses, apple butter, and more, and enjoy live music from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.

‍

December 3

Christmas on the Farm

Howell Living History Farm, 70 Woodens Lane, Lambertville, NJ; 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
‍www.howellfarm.org

Get ready for holiday cheer and visit Howell Living History Farm. This 130-acre county park offers memorable tours and activities to celebrate the holiday season. Christmas crafts, farm animal visits, and opportunities to peek inside a decorated circa-1900 farmhouse are a small part of the fun. In the gift shop, visitors can purchase the farm’s honey, handmade straps of sleigh bells, forged items made by the farm’s blacksmith, and other homemade items by the farm’s sewing guild. Warm drinks, homemade cookies, lunch, and light refreshments are also available for sale at the farmhouse, and there are plenty of holiday crafts for children.

‍

December 7-24

A Christmas Carol

McCarter Theatre Center, 91 University Place, Princeton; Various times
‍www.mccarter.org

Dickens’ classic returns to McCarter Theatre in this reimagined production. Follow Ebenezer Scrooge on his magical journey through Christmas past, present, and future. Watch as a community ensemble composed of local performers brings the story to life both on stage and in the theater (through December 24).

‍

December 17-18

Holiday Fest at Lambertville Station Restaurant & Inn

Lambertville Station Restaurant & Inn, 11 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ; 11:30 am – 4:00 pm
‍www.visitbuckscounty.com

Participate in two days of holiday family fun along the banks of the Delaware River at Lambertville Station Restaurant and Inn’s Holiday Fest. Relish delicious seasonal food and drinks, browse through tables of over 40 local specialty vendors, be entertained by local school choirs, and take photos with Santa!

‍

December 20

Annual Menorah Lighting

Nassau Inn Patio, 10 Palmer Square, Princeton; 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
‍www.palmersquare.org

Join family, friends and The Jewish Center at the Annual Menorah Lighting in Palmer Square. Celebrate Hanukkah with live music and lots of fun for everyone!

‍

December 25

George Washington’s Annual Christmas Day Crossing

Washington Crossing Historic Park, Routes 532 and 32 (River Road), Washington Crossing, Pa.; Noon – 3:00 pm (Actual crossing at 1:00 pm)
‍www.washingtoncrossingpark.org

George Washington’s daring 1776 Christmas Day crossing of the Delaware River and defeat of the Hessians in Trenton is considered a turning point in the Revolutionary War. Witness this historic event for yourself during this reenactment. This Bucks County tradition features several hundred reenactors clad in Continental military dress and George Washington himself. Listen as General Washington delivers an inspiring speech and then leads his troops across the river in replica Durham boats.