Planet Princeton Weekend Picks, Dec. 26-29

Patriots Week kicks off in Trenton Thursday. For a full schedule of events visit patriotsweektrenton.com.
Patriots Week kicks off in Trenton Thursday. For a full schedule of events visit patriotsweektrenton.com.

In case you like Christmas light displays and haven’t had your fix yet, you can check out the Cranbury Christmas Lights multimedia light show until Dec. 31. More than 100,000 lights, including a shooting fountain of light with 10,000 lights and a 20 foot by 20 foot wall of snowflakes. 128 North Main Street in the heart of Cranbury. Park on North Main Street or on side streets. No parking directly in front of the house or across the street from the house. Free will donations go to the Princeton Alliance Church food bank in Plainsboro and other area charities. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. every night, music with lights Dec. 27-31 (no music with the show Dec. 26).

Thursday, December 26

Patriots’ Week Kicks Off in Trenton– Bus tours of Washington Crossing Historic Park at 9 am., 1 p.m., $20; Hidden Treasurers of the State House at 11:30 a.m.; colonial music at the Friends Meeting House at 3 p.m. Masonic Temple events include New Jersey’s Role in the Revolution at 1 p.m., King George and the Dragon puppet show at 2 p.m., and 10 Years of the American Revolutionary War Round Table at 2:30 p.m. For a complete schedule with locations visit www.patriotsweek.com.

Holiday Laser Lights at the New Jersey State Museum Planetarium – Family fun at the planetarium. Shows at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.  Thurs. and Friday, 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday .Tickets $7.  Museum located at 205 West State Street in Trenton.

Snowflake Cutting at the Princeton Public Library – A winter break tradition continues as children, their families and friends are invited to drop in between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to design and cut a snowflake to take home. Third floor. Free.
 
Home for the Holidays Party at Tre Piani – Music by the Wendy Zoffer Trio features upbeat jazz, sambas, and holiday swing. Holiday buffet, hors d’oeuvres, cash bar. Menu includes pignolia nut crusted sole, baked eggplant rollatine, beef brassatto and more. 120 Rockingham Row, Forrestal Village in Plainsboro. $29.

A Christmas Carol, McCarter Theatre – The holiday favorite is performed at McCarter Theatre Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and at  2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.,  Sunday at 1 p.m. (final performance of the season). Tickets $20 and up. www.mccarter.org

Friday, December 27

Patriots Week Card Workshop at Artworks – Create cards and letters for soldiers overseas. The letters will be bundled and sent through A Million Thanks go be distributed to troops for Valentine’s Day. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 19 Everett Alley, Trenton, free.

Young Patriots Battlefield Projects – Students from the Princeton Battlefield Society Young Patriots program will discuss their battlefield history projects including a Scavenger Hunt, and App and a video documentary.  Presenters include: Alex Monseau and his dad, Mark Monseau; Fiona Misiura and her dad, Steve Misiura; and Johnson Park School third grade teachers Donna Eisenacher and Alison Lepard. Hear about how these young people became interested in their regional Revolutionary War history, how they got their projects to take place, and how they got the support they needed to complete their goals. 1 p.m., New Jersey State Museum Auditorium, 205 W. State Street, free.

The Fifes and Drums of the Old Barracks Perform at Masonic the Masonic Temple – A colonial concert of 18th century military marches and a performance of 18th century ceremonial music using two flutes, two clarinets, two oboes, two French horns and bassoon. 1 p.m., Masonic Temple, 100 Barrack Street, Trenton. Reservations Required. Call (609) 396-1776. Admission $10 and up, discounts for children and Old Barracks members.

Screening of the Film “Epic” – From the creators of “Ice Age,” this 2013 computer-animated fantasy adventure comedy-drama, loosely based on William Joyce’s children’s book “The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs,” features the voices of Amanda Seyfried, Josh Hutcherson and Beyonce Knowles. Children 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult. 3 p.m., Princeton Public Library Community Room, free.

Patriots’ Week Colonial Ball – NJ Colonial dances will be taught by a colonial dance master. Light refreshments. Reservations required. Call (609) 396-1776. Masonic Temple, 100 Barrack Street, Trenton. Admission $15. Discounts for children and Old Barracks Assoc. members.

Holiday Tram Rides at the Grounds For Sculpture – Travel through the park on a decorated tram. Free with park admission., 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.126 Sculptors Way, Hamilton.

Saturday, December 28

Princeton Canal Walkers – Walk off that holiday meal with the Princeton Canal Walkers. Three-mile walk along the towpath. Bad weather cancels. Meet at Turning Basin Park on Alexander Road, 10 a.m., free.

Battles of Trenton Re-Enactments – In the early hours of Christmas Day, the rebel forces, dressed in rags and weary from their night march after the crossing, converged on Trenton and dealt an unexpected and crippling blow to the British and Hessian forces. Follow the action from the symbolic first cannon site of the Battle Monument, down Warren Street, to the final skirmish in Mill Hill Park. The Re-enactors begin to muster at the Barracks (100 Barracks St.), before making their way up to the battle at 11 a.m. At 3 p.m., the action commences again at East State Street and heads to Mill Hill Park for the second Battle, which pits the American forces against General Cornwallis and his numerous attempts to take the Assunpink Creek Bridge. After slipping away, Washington’s troops were able to head north to Princeton, sealing the fate of the 10 Crucial Days.

Festival of Trees at Morven Museum – Holiday trees decorated by area business, garden clubs, and organizations. Noon to 4 p.m., 55 Stockton St, Princeton. Admission $6.

Battle of Trenton Puppet Show – Tucker Tales take a “mini” historical look at an amazing piece of our history presented with marionettes & rod puppets (and lots of help from the audience). Watch the battle unfold before your eyes, and see the action as it has never been seen before. Performed on the Battle of Trenton Map , this show includes live music, large puppets & props, and plenty of “revolting” action. Warren St. Plaza, Warren and Hanover Streets in Trenton; 12:30, 1:30, free.

Screening of “The Croods”  – After their cave is destroyed, a caveman family must trek through an unfamiliar fantastical world with the help of an inventive boy. Princeton Public Library community room, 3 p.m., free.

Sunday, December 29

Patriots’ Week Bus Tour – Guide Ralph Siegel leads the way from the site of Trenton’s Second Battle in Mill Hill Park up North to the Princeton Battlefield.  After setting the stage for the final leg of the 10 Crucial Days, he paints the picture of the soldiers march, coming after an exhaustive week of fighting, to their victory at Princeton.  Visitors will disembark at the Princeton Battlefield, where they will learn the story of the battle that reenforced the tide shift that occurred in early 1776. Dress appropriately for walking and weather. Meet at Lafayette Yard Hotel,  1 W. Lafayette St., 9 a.m.-Noon (and) 1-4 p.m.; admission $20.

Holiday Celebration with the Princeton Einstein Alley Musicians Collaborative – Music, snacks, activities for children, and more. Cash bar. Benefit for the Princeton Elks’ Special Children’s Fund featuring vacations for children with special needs at Camp Moore. Princeton Elks Club, 354 Route 518, Skillman, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., admission $10.