The holiday season officially arrives this weekend with music, tree lightings, tours, and other events to set the mood.
And while the following list provides a lot of brightness, it is just the start and a prelude to our more extensive list of holiday happenings set for next week. To make sure your holiday happening or other upcoming events are included, email events@princetoninfo.com, and include a high-resolution photograph if available.
Roxey Ballet
“The Nutcracker” gets an updated vibe with a combination of professional and young regional dancers appearing in more than 200 hand-made costumes designed for the company.
Villa Victoria Theater, 376 Upper Ferry Road, Ewing. $37.50 to $59.50. Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4, 2 p.m. 609-397-7616 or www.roxeyballet.org.
Boheme Opera
“Hansel and Gretel” comes to life as company artistic director Joseph Pucciatti leads a young cast, the Boheme Opera NJ Chamber Orchestra, and members of the Princeton Boychoir performing in English before virtual sets.
Kendall Hall, The College of New Jersey, 2000 Pennington Road. Ewing, $15 to $50 Sunday, December 4, 3 p.m. www.bohemeopera.org.
Bravura Philharmonic Orchestra
Music director Chiu-Tze Lin conducts the holiday concert program featuring music by Handel and Prokofiev, Christmas and Hannukah music, a sing-a-long, and George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.
Princeton Alliance Church, 20 Schalks Crossing Road, Plainsboro. $20 to $40, Sunday, December 4, 7 p.m. www.bravuraphil.org.
Capital Singers
“Winter Songs XVI: From Age to Age,” a holiday concert featuring music by Bach along with music from the films “Home Alone” and “The Polar Express.” Guest artists are oboist Melissa Bohl and harpist Elaine Christy.
Sacred Heart Church, 345 South Broad Street Trenton. $25. Sunday, December 4, 4 p.m. www.capitalsingers.org.
Hopewell Valley Chorus
The holiday concert features music by Irving Berlin, film and stage favorites, Christmas classics, and traditional carols.
St. James Church, 115 East Delaware Avenue, Pennington. $12-$15. Saturday, December 3, 7:30 p.m. 609-477-9382 or www.hopewellvalleychorus.org.
Kuser Farm Mansion
Hamilton Township’s Winter Wonderland comes alive with the annual tree lighting ceremony set for Friday, December 2, at 6 p.m. Free festivities include tours of the opulently decorated historic Victorian era mansion and the New Jersey Valley Model Railroad display.
390 Newkirk Avenue, Hamilton. Free. Friday and Saturday, December 2 and 3, 5 to 8 p.m. 609-890-3630 or www.hamiltonnj.
Pennsbury Mansion
Holly Nights, set in the reconstructed Colonial-style home of William Penn, is the annual walk into the 17th century and features open fires, carolers, colonial crafts, Yule Logs, hot cider, and history.
400 Pennsbury Memorial Road, Morrisville, Pennsylvania. $6 to $14. Thursday and Friday, December 1 and 2, 6 to 9 p.m. 215-946-0400 or www.pennsburymanor.org.
Howell Living History Farm
“Christmas on the Farm” is a trip to the early 20th century where families can sing carols in the barn, cut and decorate an old fashioned tree, take wagon rides or barn tours, hear live music, and even greet Santa Claus when he arrives in his sleigh.
101 Hunter Road, Titusville. Free. Saturday, December 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 609-737-3299 or www.howellfarm.org.
Trenton Mill Holiday Houses
A Trenton tradition for more than 50 years, the tour features the opportunity to tour approximately 20 decorated 19th-century homes of various architectural styles
Starts at Artworks Trenton, 19 Everett Alley and South Stockton Street, Trenton. $20. Saturday, December 4, noon to 5 p.m. 609-815-1359 or www.trentonmillhill.org.
Kelsey Theater
The excitement and wonder of the long-awaited midnight visit by Santa Claus, made famous in Clement Moore’s beloved poem, “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” is brought to the Kelsey Theatre stage live in a fun and enchanting musical.
Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. $15. Friday, December 2, 9:45 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4, 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.; and Monday, December 5, 9:45 and 11:15 a.m. kelsey.mccc.edu.
