Friday, October 25
Cemetery Tour with the Historical Society of Princeton – Tour the historic Princeton Cemetery with the Historical Society of Princeton. Meet at the Main Gate on Greenview Avenue. Tour begins at 4 p.m. Free.
Trinity Fall Rummage/Early Bird Holiday Sale – Preview sale offers shoppers a first chance at buying men’s and ladies fashions, jewelry, linens, artwork, furniture and books before the crowds Saturday. Runs 6:30 to 9 p.m., tickets will be sold beginning at 6 p.m. Cost $10 per person. Proceeds benefit Trinity’s Outreach programs locally and internationally.
Saturday, October 26
Fourth Annual Alexander’s Run 5K and One-Mile Fun Run – The 5k will begin and end in Mill Hill Park. Start time is 9 a.m. The course will take runners and walkers through historic Trenton, tracing Washington and Sullivan’s routes into the Battle of Trenton and passing the Old Barracks.The 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk begins at 9:45am. Runners and walkers of all ages are encouraged to participate in the events. Race day registration begins at 7:30am (cash or check only). $25 for 5K, $10 for fun run. For more information visit www.alexandersrun.org. Proceeds from the Run benefit the Alexander Michael Dodson Memorial Scholarship Fund. Locally the Alexander Michael Dodson Memorial Scholarship Fund has made it possible for 62 Trenton students to attend Stuart Country Day School’s STARS program since 2010.
Trinity Fall Rummage/Early Bird Holiday Sale – Thrifty shoppers know the Trinity Church rummage sale is one of the best places to find great deals and unique items. Get there early to secure a good place in line! 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 33 Mercer Street. Free entry.
Area Farmers’ Markets – Montgomery Friends of Open Space, Village Shopping Center, 1340 Route 206 South, Skillman, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. West Windsor Community Farmers’ Market, Vaughn Drive Parking Lot, Princeton Junction Train Station, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Playmobil Pop Up Store and JaZams Family Fun Day – Opening celebration for the new Playmobil Store on Palmer Square. Scavenger hunt around Palmer Square and prizes. 53 Hulfish, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free.
Rum and Onions Halloween Contra Dance – Music by Rum and Onions, led by Bob Pasquarello, 3 to 11 p.m. at the Lawrenceville Intermediate School. Contra dance basics workshop and warm-up at 2:30 p.m. Great intro for anyone new to contra dancing.Afternoon dance begins at 3. A great mix of traditional and contemporary contras!6 p.m. dinner break community picnic – bring your own brown bag dinner! 7 p.m. evening Contra dance basics workshop and warm-up. Fun intro for anyone new to contra dancing. 7:30 p.m. costume parade. 9 p.m. refreshments break. Contra Dancing until 11. Admission $22 all day, $12 afternoon only, $17 evening only. Reduced rates for students with ID, seniors, and and children. Please wear soft-soled dance shoes. No high heels.
Whole Foods Halloween Pumpkin Patch and Spooky Scavenger Hunt – Children 12 and under can participate in a scavenger hunt and enjoy other Halloween activities and treats from noon to 2 p.m. Free.
Princeton Shopping Center Spook-tacular Howl-oween Celebration – Costume contest and parade, pumpkin decorating, scarecrow making, cupcake walk, DJ, prizes and goody bags, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., free. Cutter’s Mill will be sponsoring a pet parade at 1 p.m.
Mall-O-Ween and Dinosaur Spooktacular at the Quakerbridge Mall – Parents and costumed kids can enjoy a family-friendly celebration of interactive Halloween event activities, including a crafts station from 11 – 2 p.m., followed by safe trick-or-treating at participating retailers from 2 – 3 p.m.T he Dinosaur Spooktacular exhibit from 11 – 5 p.m. in the center court will feature more than one hundred life-size cast and genuine fossils, including authentic dinosaur bones, eggs and footprints, a 3-D T-Rex skull cast, an interactive touch table for kids to learn more about the prehistoric animals. The first 500 guests will go on an exciting fossil dig and win a free genuine fossil. In celebration of Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment’s Blu-ray / DVD releases of children’s movies, The Croods, Monsters vs. Aliens: Cloning Around, Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness: The Scorpion Sting, and Dragons: Riders of Berk Part 1 and Part 2, kids can also partake in activities inspired by the films including making creepy, crafts, choosing temporary tattoos, designing flying dragons, playing the Kung Fu Panda chopstick game, and snapping a photo with a life-sized The Croods.
Cafe Improv – Music, poetry, comedy and more at the Arts Council of Princeton, 7 to 10 p.m. Admission $2, $1 for Arts Council members.
Sunday, October 27
Diwali Celebration at the Princeton Public Library – Immerse yourself in the culture of India at this special presentation on Diwali. Participate in traditional dances, wear Indian clothes, make a craft, listen to stories and enjoy visual displays. Also known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is one of the most important Hindu celebrations of the year. Families mark the occasion by lighting small clay pots filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. Firecrackers are set off to drive away evil spirits. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends. 2 p.m., Community room, free.
Fall Harvest Festival at Terhune Orchards – Games, corn and hay bale maze, live music, food and more at the farm located at 330 Cold Soil Road in Lawrenceville. Children who wear costumes get a sticker. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission $5. This is the final weekend of the festival!
West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South Gift and Craft Show -More than 150 vendors, crafters, and artisans will showcase Jewelry, clothing, sccessories, specialty foods, gifts, holiday decor, and more. All proceeds benefit the Class of 2014 Post Prom event. West Windsor Plainsboro High School South, 346 Clarksville Road, West WIndsor. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free.
Pumpkin Carving Contest at the Alchemist and Barrister – Bring canned goods or pasta to the pub to benefit Mercer Street Friends and enter the pumpkin carving contest from noon to 3 p.m. Free cookies, apple cider, prizes and giveaways.
Princeton Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Mayor’s Bike Ride – Ride 3.5 miles through traffic-controlled streets and bike paths of the Community PArk South and Mountain Lakes areas. Free refreshments at the Mountain Lakes House at the mid-point. All participants are required to wear helmets. The ride begins at Community Park South next to the tennis courts at 1 p.m.
Princeton Hometown Halloween Parade – The annual Princeton tradition kicks off at Hinds Plaza and ends at Palmer Square. Parade starts at 4 p.m. Free.