Morven Museum & Garden’s annual transformation into a winter wonderland of festive holiday displays celebrates its 20th anniversary this winter! Each year, community partners create lavish, thoughtfully decorated trees and mantels for Festival of Trees, filling the museum galleries with light and cheer. At the end of your visit, vote for your favorites among the 17 displays.
While enjoying the ornaments and adornments, you can also take in the museum’s new exhibition “Northern Family, Southern Ties,” a look at the overlooked connections between wealthy families straddling the Mason-Dixon line. And don’t miss the special exhibition “Morven Revealed: Untold Stories from New Jersey’s Most Historic Home.” It closes in March to make way for an exciting semiquincentennial exhibit featuring New Jersey’s five signers of the Declaration of Independence.
For the first time, Festival of Trees has been extended by one week to January 11, 2026. Not only does it offer more opportunities to enjoy the displays — January launches Morven’s key role as the home of Founding Father Richard Stockton in commemorating America’s 250th anniversary.
Festival of Trees isn’t your only chance to get into the holiday spirit at Morven! Throughout December, join special performances, workshops, and talks. On Wednesday, December 10, the museum hosts Gingerbread House Decorating and Family Night, a kid-friendly chance to see the displays before getting messy with frosting and lots of candy while creating a unique gingerbread house and gingerbread people (the best part — no clean up!). Dreaming of sugar plums (or wondering how a sugar plum is made)? On Sunday, December 14, you’re invited to spend a cozy morning enjoying tea and cookies with author Becky Diamond (“The Gilded Age Christmas Cookbook”) while she shares holiday recipes and traditions dating back to the 19th century. Morven’s popular holiday wreath making workshops are sold out, but you can still catch a charming Victorian Christmas Concert on Sunday, November 30. Enjoy music from the 19th century performed by Anne and Ridley Enslow in period clothing (while they play instruments from that time).
And what better way to spread cheer than “singing loud for all to hear” (wisdom from Buddy the Elf!). On Friday, December 12, come along for Westrick Music Academy’s festive annual musical stroll Caroling with the Choirs, which begins at Morven with a concert, and continues across the street to the Present Day Club.
Looking for a special gift? Morven’s gift shop is your destination for unique ornaments and holiday decor, essentials for home and garden, and thoughtful hostess gifts. Museum Store Sunday is Sunday, November 30 — but you don’t need an excuse (or a ticket) to stop by and shop!
Whether coming together with family and friends, or taking a cozy moment for yourself, there are opportunities for everyone to celebrate the season at Morven Museum & Garden. Festival of Trees is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 55 Stockton Street, Princeton. Learn more and plan your visit at morven.org.
