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Planet Princeton Holiday Weekend Picks, Dec. 31-Jan. 3

  Thursday, December 31

Holiday Storytime at Barnes and Noble – Read stories about winter fun and then participate in an activity. 1 p.m., MarketFair Mall. 3535 US Highway 1, Princeton. Free.

Lawrence Hogmanay Celebration –  Say goodbye to 2015 and welcome 2016 with fellow residents at this popular, family-friendly event that has become a favorite local tradition. Follow the Scottish tradition and write down everything you’d like to forget from 2015, throw it in the bonfire, and look forward to the new year. Bagpiper. Bonfire will be lit promptly at 6 p.m. Food for sale. Park at 200 Lenox Drive (just off Princeton Pike) and walk or take the shuttle to the Brearley House. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Free.

Fireworks display over the Delaware River  – Celebrate the coming of the new year by enjoying fireworks over the Delaware River. Presented by the Greater Lambertville and New Hope Chamber of Commerce.

New Year’s Eve Argentine Tango – Viva Tango’s New Year’s Eve Milonga Extravaganza includes live music by the tango duo
Maurizio Najt and Rodolfo Zanetti and DJing by Danelle Knapp. Hors d’oeuvre, an entrée, dessert and champagne. Non-stop dancing, no partner necessary. For singles and couples. Suzanne Patterson Center, 45 Stockton Street, Princeton. Black tie optional. $50 at the door, $45 online.

Tre Piani and Tre Bar New Years Eve Parties – The annual Tre Piani New Year’s Eve party begins at 8 p.m. with an open bar for an hour with hors d’oeuvres. Buffet dinner at 9 p.m.. DJ and dancing until 1 a.m. Hats, noisemakers and a champagne toast. $95 per person. The Tre Bar New Years Eve Tapas Party begins at 9 p.m. Traditional Spanish tapas and desserts. DJ and dancing. $50 per person. 120 Rockingham Row, Forrestal Village, Plainsboro.

New Jersey Capital Philharmonic Orchestra – New Year’s Eve concert features Shostakovich, Offenbach, Strauss, and Gershwin. Patriots Theater, War Memorial, Trenton, 609-558-2292
8 p.m., Tickets $40 and up. www.capitalphilharmonic.org

In the Beginning There Was Sound – Sound journey into the vibrations of the gongs, Native American flutes, Himalayan singing bowls, percussion, and more. Bring a potluck vegetarian appetizer or dessert to share. Princeton Center for Yoga and Health, Orchard Hill Center, 88 Orchard Road, Skillman. Starts at 9 p.m. $45 and up. Register at www.princetonyoga.com.

Catch a Rising Star New Year’s Eve Celebration –  Early show features Uncle Floyd, $35 to $50 with two item minimum. Comedy show in the ballroom features Jerrold Benford at 8 p.m. Ballroom package begins at 6:45 p.m. with dinner, open bar, dancing, champagne toast, hats, favors, balloon, and more for $285 per couple. Dessert package begins at 9:45 p.m. and includes comedy show, dancing, champagne, and more for $85 to $99 per person. Hyatt Regency, 102 Carnegie Center, West Windsor, 609-987-8018.

Salt Creek Grille Celebration – Limited menu with mesquite grilled favorites, 4 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.  Four-course dinner (seatings at 8 and 8:30 p.m.) with an open bar until 1 a.m., for $125. For those who already have dinner plans, there’s an open bar with Hors d’Douvres Menu from 9:30 p.m. until 1 a.m., for $75. music provided by Rainbow Fresh. 1 Rockingham Row, Forrestal Village, Plainsboro.

The Princeton Public Library is closed.

Friday, January 1

Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands First Day Hike – Hike through the Mapleton Preserve. Meet at 145 Mapleton Road in Kingston by 11 a.m. sharp. Free.

Princeton University Women’s Ice Hockey – The Tigers face Brown University at Baker Rink. 7 p.m.

The Princeton Public Library is closed.

Saturday, January 2

Screening of “Despicable Me” –  Princeton Garden Theatre. 10:30 a.m.

Story Times at the Princeton Public Library – Chinese stories at 11:30 a.m., Japanese stories at 2 p.m., Russian Stories at 3:30 p.m. Free.

Screening of “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” – In this coming-of-age drama, a high school student and his best friend Earl, become friends with a teenage girl who has leukemia and decide to make a film to lift her spirits. In the process, they learn quite a bit about friendship and the fragility of life. 1 hour, 45 minutes. 3 p.m., Princeton Public Library Community Room. Free.

Sunset Ceremony at the Princeton Battlefield – More than 500 luminaries will be displayed to memorialize those who sacrificed at the Battle of Princeton. Sunset ceremony with refreshments and musical entertainment throughout the evening. Starts at 4:30 p.m. 500 Mercer Street, Princeton. Free.

Wine and Music at Hopewell Valley Vineyards – Classic folk music, country, and rock with Sergio, Jim Matlack, and Jerry Monk. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 46 Yard Road, Pennington. Free.

Princeton University Women’s Ice Hockey – The Tigers face Yale University at Baker Rink. 7 p.m.

Bobby Collins at Catch a Rising Star – Two showtimes – 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.  Tickets $25 and up. Hyatt Regency, 102 Carnegie Center, West Windsor.

Sunday, January 3

Real-Time Tour of the Battle of Princeton – Experience the Battle of Princeton as it really happened early in the morning on January 3, 1777. Trace the steps of American and British units and witness a musket demonstration. Events begin at the Clarke House. Attendees should wear sturdy shoes and bring a flashlight. 6:45 a.m. Ends at 9:30 a.m. 500 Mercer Street, Princeton. Free.

Downton AbbeyThe Sounds and Times of Downton Abbey – Broadway performer and New York University professor Terri Evans and multiple Grammy Award-winning arranger Marion Evans pay tribute to period TV drama “Downton Abbey” by performing early 20th century music. The program is accompanied by a multimedia presentation, using clips from the TV show. For this special program, happening on the day that Episode 1 of the final season of “Downton Abbey” will be broadcast, the library will serve tea, scones with clotted cream, and shortbread biscuits. Join other “Downton Abbey” fans for high tea and music and feel free to wear a hat and gloves and other finery. Registration requested and limited to 40. 2 p.m., Princeton Public Library Community Room.

Mercer County ID Program – All Princeton residents are eligible for the community ID card, a photo identification card providing personal identifying information, medical risk factors, and emergency contact information for the cardholder. This is a privately distributed photo identification card with the sponsorship of various community organizations. The Photo ID may be used at social service agencies, schools, clinics, parks, post offices, and libraries for purposes of access to basic municipal or health services and as a form of identification by check cashing companies, banks, retail stores or other establishments. The card is issued by the Latin American Legal Defense & Education Fund, a nonprofit advocacy group. There is a $10 cost ($5 for youth under 21and seniors over 65) per card to cover expenses. Sign up at 2 p.m. Second Floor, Room 232, the Princeton Public Library.

The Culinary Traditions of Rome – Join food historian Katie Parla for a discussion of culinary traditions in Rome. Bring refreshments to share. Dorothea’s House, 120 John Street, Princeton. Free.

Princeton University Women’s Basketball – The Lady Tigers face Hampton university at Jadwin Gymnasium at 2 p.m. Tickets $3-$6.