December Happenings:

Holiday Magic & History-Making Fun

The Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market is back at the CURE Insurance arena this weekend for their annual “Wreck the Halls” holiday event. The month closes with the return of another popular happening: The Battle of Trenton Reenactments!

From The Nutcracker at the Patriots Theater to the Holiday Bazaar at the Capital Area YMCA, there are plenty of holiday festivities for the whole family.

Be sure to follow TDA on Facebook and Instagram for up-to-date information.

DECEMBER 27, 4:30 to 6:30 PM

8th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration
PRESENTED BY: Smith Family Foundation
LOCATION: Trenton City Hall

The event will feature performances from the Watson-Johnson Dance Studio, Calvary Kids Choir, and Unuzi Drum. Following the ceremony, the Kinara lighting will take place at City Hall, 319 E. State St.

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DECEMBER 26-31, 2023
Patriots Week 2023
PRESENTED BY: City of Trenton, Old Barracks Museum and TDA
LOCATION: Various

Patriots Week is back in full regalia with a battle reenactment, a Colonial Ball and other events, including a firewalk, Revolutionary conversation and more FREE events throughout the week.

Click on the link below for a listing of events. Select events also included in this newsletter.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 6 PM

Trenton Music Makers Holiday Concert

PRESENTED BY: Capital Harmony Works / Trenton Music Makers
LOCATION: Union Baptist Church, 301 Pennington Ave., Trenton

Trenton Music Makers brings together young people from grades 3-12 to form one youth orchestra. Enjoy their 2023 holiday concert at the Union Baptist Church.

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 10 AM to 2 PM

Holiday Bazaar: Day at the Y
PRESENTED BY: Capital Area YMCA
LOCATION: 431 Pennington Ave, Trenton

Shop local and buy at the Y. Holiday Bazaar featuring new, gently used, unique and crafted items. Holiday music, local vendors, free parking, all ages.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2 to 8 PM

Toy Giveaway
PRESENTED BY: Unidos Por Una Sonrisa
LOCATION: Unity Park, Trenton

Unidos Por Una Sonrisa will be hosting a toy giveaway at Unity Park. Bring your child to receive a free toy!

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2 PM

“Tea, Sugar, and Chocolate in 18th Century America”
PRESENTED BY: Trenton Patriots Week
LOCATION: St. Michael’s Episcopal Church

Join Michael and Deborah Raab of Tea-For-All to learn how tea, coffee, sugar and chocolate were vital to the diets of colonial Americans.During this presentation, we’ll explore the light and dark sides of each. Selected tastings will be included. Come at 1pm for a tour of the church!

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 10 AM

Civil War Flag Unveiling
PRESENTED BY: NJ State Museum
LOCATION: 205 W State St, Trenton

Join flag historian Dr. David Martin and Curator of Cultural History Nicholas Ciotola for the history of five new flags to be unveiled in the New Jersey State Museum exhibition, The Civil War Flag Collection of New Jersey.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 7 PM

The Colonial Ball
PRESENTED BY: Trenton Patriots Week
LOCATION: 100 Barrack St., Trenton

The Colonial Ball is your chance to mingle with the soldiers of the Battle of Trenton and learn their favorite dance steps! You'll learn dance steps and enjoy refreshments. Advanced tickets required. Period dress is neither required nor discouraged!

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 11 AM to 3 PM

The Battles of Trenton Reenactments
PRESENTED BY: Old Barracks Museum
LOCATION: Battle Monument

There are two Battles of Trenton that ultimately shaped the destiny of the American Revolution and our nation! The first reenactment will take place at 11 am at the Battle Monument, the second will begin at 3pm in Mill Hill Park. Come to the Old Barracks Museum to watch and follow the soldiers as they march out to fight on the original battlefields. These events are rain or shine and are free to attend.

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 12 and 2 PM

“The Trouble with Trenton” Puppet Shows
PRESENTED BY: Tuckers Tales
LOCATION: Warren Street Plaza

“The Trouble with Trenton” interactive puppet shows, presented by Tuckers Tales, will be held on Saturday, December 30, at 12 pm and 2 pm at Warren Street Plaza. The puppet shows are a “mini” historical look at American history and are free to attend.

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31, 8 PM

New Year’s Eve: A Decade of Beautiful Music at the Patriots Theater War Memorial

PRESENTED BY: Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey
LOCATION: Patriots Theater at the War Memorial, Trenton

Join us in commemorating the Capital Philharmonic’s remarkable journey at our 10th Anniversary concert! Experience the brilliance of Richard Strauss’s “Don Juan,” a captivating display of orchestral mastery. We are thrilled to present the world premiere of John Dickson’s composition, commissioned exclusively for this momentous occasion.

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FEB 8 - 25, 2024

Ghetto Gods in Divineland

PRESENTED BY: Passage Theatre Company
LOCATION: Mill Hill Playhouse

“Ghetto Gods in Divineland,” written by Richard Bradford and Anthony Martinez-Briggs, and directed by Ozzie Jones, tells the story of the unheard community of Divineland and how far its residents will go for representation and reclamation of their resources.

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SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2024
Word on Front: A Spoken Word Festival
PRESENTED BY: Passage Theatre Company
LOCATION: Mill Hill Playhouse

Join us for a night of spoken word performances, music, and art centered around the themes of self-actualization and growth. Hear from both local and visiting artists as they find power in the potential of themselves and their community.? Tickets are available now!

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SEPTEMBER 23, 2023 - MARCH 31, 2024
Caroline Burton: Way Finding
PRESENTED BY: New Jersey State Museum
LOCATION: 205 W. State St., Trenton

The New Jersey Artists Series returned on September 23 with the opening of the exhibition “Caroline Burton: Way Finding.” Burton, based in Jersey City, draws on architectural and agricultural forms, nature and elements of chance for inspiration in her process-driven canvases. An exhibition catalog will be available in the Museum Shop in October.

DECEMBER 8, 2023 - FEBRUARY 11, 2024
NEXT: Reimagining The Future Through Art
PRESENTED BY: The Trenton City Museum
LOCATION: 299 Parkside Ave., Trenton

Stop by the Trenton City Museum to see the newest exhibition, Next: Reimagining the Future Through Art. There are 40 works from 30 different artists across multiple genres. The exhibit was juried and curated by Diane Ciccone and Jane Malloy.