Top Picks for Fourth of July Weekend

Kick off the weekend with some free jazz at Labyrinth Books. The Sustainable Jazz Ensemble, an all-original jazz ensemble based in Princeton that includes Stephen Hiltner, Jerry d’Anna, and Ron Connor, will perform starting a t 6:30 p.m.. Coffee and tea provided, or BYOB. Located at 122 Nassau Street.

The annual Princeton fireworks, sponsored by the Spirit of Princeton, will take place tonight. The best viewing site is from the Princeton University sports fields immediately next to The university stadium. The fields will be open starting at 7p.m. for those who want to get a good spot. Feel free to bring along a blanket and a picnic basket (sorry, no alcoholic beverages allowed on the fields). The fireworks will begin at dusk,  shortly after 9pm.

On Saturday, “Meet Me at the Farmstead” will take place at the Updike Farmstead of the Historical Society of Princeton. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the society will offer tours of the farmhouse and property, live music by local groups, presentations by artisans, naturalists and farmers, historic games, scavenger hunts for children, and a variety of crafts for all ages. The cost is $5 per person, $8 for 2 people; $10 for group of 3; $15 for group of 4. Free for historical society members. Address: 354 Quaker Road.

The New Jersey Opera will perform Saturday at 7 p.m. as part of Palmer Square’s Music Under the Stars series. Enjoy an evening on the square with some of opera’s greatest music!

A historic walking tour of downtown Princeton will be hosted by the Historical Society of Princeton Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. Enjoy a 1.9 mile, two-hour walk around downtown Princeton and the Princeton University campus as you learn about historic sites in the area, including Bainbridge House, Nassau Hall, the University Chapel and Palmer Square. The early history of Princeton, the founding of the university, and the American Revolution are just some of the stories from Princeton’s history that will be discussed on the tour. Meet and purchase tickets at Bainbridge House, which is located at 158 Nassau Street. The cost is $7 per adult and $4 for children ages 6 to 12. Children ages 5 and under are free. No reservations required.

On the 4th, the Morven Museum will host the July 4 Jubilee from noon to 3 p.m. Sign the Declaration of Independence, commemorate the 13 colonies at a bell ringing ceremony, enjoy demonstrations of colonial life by the Past Pasters, meet George Washington, enjoy live music, refreshments, and a dramatic presentation by Stacy Roth highlighting the lives of women who belonged to the army during the American Revolution. The events is free. The museum will also be open for guests to see ‘The Stars and Stripes: Fabric of the American Spirit.’ Admission to the museum is $6. The museum is at 55 Stockton Street.