The Arts Council of Princeton fulfills its mission of building community through the arts, in part, by producing free events for our community. Enjoy hands-on artmaking, celebrate and appreciate other cultures, and gather as friends and neighbors.
Fiesta del Día de Los Reyes Magos: A Three Kings Day Celebration
Join the Arts Council of Princeton for a special, family-friendly cultural event! Fiesta del Día de Los Reyes Magos, or Three Kings Day, is the last day of the Christmas season and is celebrated throughout the world by several different cultures. In many Spanish speaking countries, children leave their shoes out the night before Fiesta del Día de Los Reyes Magos, ready to be filled with presents. This celebration at the Paul Robeson Center for the Arts features a live Flamenco dance performance led by Lisa Botalico and Rosca de Reyes (Three Kings Cake). Learn about Spanish culture and end the holiday season in celebration!
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Join the Arts Council of Princeton as we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a day of live music, interactive workshops, and discussions as they relate to Dr. King’s life, teachings and civic engagement. The celebratory day will begin with a Community Breakfast at 9am, followed by ands-on activities for all ages.
Communiversity ArtsFest
Produced by the Arts Council of Princeton with participation from the students of Princeton University and support from the town of Princeton, Communiversity ArtsFest features over 200 booths showcasing original art and contemporary crafts, unique merchandise and culinary masterpieces from local chefs, plus six stages of continuous live entertainment. Communiversity ArtsFest draws over 40,000 art lovers and fun seekers to downtown Princeton, making it Central New Jersey’s largest and longest running cultural event.
Summer Courtyard Concert Series
The Arts Council of Princeton and Princeton Shopping Center present the annual Summer Concert Series, featuring the best in local and regional jazz, folk, world, rock and blues. Join us every Thursday at the Princeton Shopping Center, 301 N. Harrison Street, Princeton, NJ. Don’t forget to bring a lawn chair!
Annual Fall Open House
This free, family-friendly event is an ideal opportunity for visitors of all ages to participate in hands-on art activities, contribute to a community mural, learn about the Arts Council’s fall community programs and events, membership, and volunteer opportunities. Meet ‘n greet instructors and enjoy music and games with WPST! Ice cream treats from the bent spoon will be available for sale.
During the Open House, the Arts Council’s award-winning Taplin Gallery will be open to view the Annual Member Exhibition. Each year, talented member-artists of all ages contribute their work to this exhibition. All are invited to attend the Opening Reception from 3-5pm, immediately following the Open House.
An Evening with Bollywood
Join the Arts Council of Princeton and the Princeton Shopping Center to celebrate an evening of Indian culture! From 5:30-7, enjoy an Open Bazaar with unique vendors ranging from Indian food and drinks, to henna tattoos, kurtas and jewelry, to arts and crafts. At 7:15, attendees will enjoy a Bollywood Dance Drama presented by Uma Kapoor’s NachNation dance group. Bring a lawn chair or blanket!
Finding the Great Pumpkin
Join the Arts Council of Princeton at the Princeton Shopping Center for an afternoon of family-friendly fall fun! Attendees of all ages will enjoy hands-on fall crafts and activities, pumpkin carving, and live music by Alex and the Kaleidoscope!
Annual Hometown Halloween Parade
Dress up in your best costume and join the Arts Council of Princeton for the Annual Hometown Halloween Parade! Join us on Palmer Square for music by the Princeton University Marching Band. The parade leaves Palmer Square Green and makes its way through Downtown Princeton to end at the Princeton YMCA. The festivities continue at the YMCA with live music, a bounce house, trunk or treat, crafts and family-friendly activities, and more!
El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
The Arts Council of Princeton and the Princeton Shopping Center present the annual Day of the Dead celebration! Celebrate Mexico’s El Día de los Muertos with strolling mariachis, sugar skull decorating, face painting, and folk arts and crafts, and food. Learn about the traditions of this rich cultural holiday at this free, family-friendly afternoon event.
Day of the Dead is observed throughout the world at this time of year (in connection with Halloween and All Souls’ Day), where family and friends gather to remember and honor those who have died. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars using sugar skulls, marigolds and favorite foods of the deceased, and then visiting graves with these as gifts.
Dress in your best costume inspired by José Guadalupe Posada’s iconic La Calavera Catrina and participate in a Catrin/Catrina pageant!