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Hi there. Welcome to Princeton Insider - the smart and official scoop on things to do, where to shop, and places to eat in Princeton. While celebrating the charm, authenticity, and opportunity that makes Princeton the darling of central New Jersey, we will keep your fingers on the pulse of what's happening. Stay tuned.

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What To Do This December in Princeton

The Palmer Square Christmas Tree is more gorgeous than ever this year. Watch the virtual tree lighting from home any time you wish.

November 30, 2020 By Rachel Fullan

While this month may be a little different than year's past, we've rounded up a list to keep you busy from start to finish. Happy holidays, from your friends at Princeton Online.

GO ICE SKATING

Where to go: Skating on Palmer Square (40 Nassau Street, Princeton) is back for the season and goes to February 29th. It runs Thursday-Sunday and is $10/person cash or $12/person with credit card. You can bring your own skates or borrow theirs. Mercer County Park’s rink (West Windsor) is open, with strict rules. Cost is $/8 adults and $6/junior/senior. Skate rentals are not happening this season.

CUT DOWN A TREE

There’s something about a special tradition of bundling up to cut down your own tree.

Where to go locally: Carlson Christmas Tree Farm (58 New Road, Lamberville) offers 200 trees of Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, Douglas-Fir, Concolor Fir and Fraser Fir. Mclaughlin Tree Farm (1312 Old York Road, Robbinsville Township) offers painted trees in blue, purple and pink, as well as Colorado Blue Spruce, Serbian Spruce, Douglas Fir, White Spruce, among many others. Barclay’s Tree Farm (35 Orchardside Drive, Cranbury) has many trees to pick from, along with saws available to use, squaring off or shaping your trunk and carrying the tree to your vehicle.

CHRISTMAS ON THE FARM

Where to go: Howell Living History Farm is hosting their “Christmas on the Farm” Saturday, December 5 from 10AM-4PM. The horses will be wearing their finest bells as they're hitched up for a morning trip to the woodlot, where visitors can help find the perfect tree for Howell Farm's Christmas celebration. Children are invited to join the fun of cutting and decorating the tree before St. Nick arrives to share his Christmas wishes and give out cookies and coal.

VISIT THE TREE

Where to go: Watch the virtual 2020 tree lighting of the famous Palmer Square Princeton Tree online whenever you wish or visit it in person in Palmer Square. You can also visit trees at Morven Museum & Garden (55 Stockton Street, Princeton) where their Festival of Trees, the annual highlight of the holiday season with their juried collection of trees and mantels is back through January 10.

Festival of Trees is open to the public during regular museum hours, Wednesdays through Sundays, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. -- closing from 1:00p.m. to 1:30p.m. for cleaning. Timed admission tickets are available on their website. Walk up admission tickets will be by availability in our museum shop. Please be prepared for possible museum entrance delays in observance of CDC guidelines ensuring reduced crowd sizes.

DRINK SOME HOT COCOA

We just posted about some spots to get a great cup of hot chocolate in Princeton. Go with your loved one and visit the route and vote for your favorite.

TAKE A COOKING CLASS

Where to go: The Farm Cooking School is offer a range of classes including Holiday Hors D’Oeuvres (12/11) and Holiday Dinner (12/19) this month that costs $105 and is held at their location in Titusville. Williams-Sonoma is offering virtual cooking and baking classes, which includes Brian Hart Hoffman, editor in chief of Bake from Scratch and avid home baker, will be joined by a popular guest baker to share baking tips, tricks and recipes that you will want to recreate at home for family and friends. $20 per class or $125 for the full series of classes.

WINTER ARTIST CHALLETS

Through December 24, discover artisan handicrafts and specialty items at Princeton’s new Winter Village Chalets! Grab hot drinks and snacks from local restaurants and enjoy sidewalk sales at local retailers. When you purchase a piece from a chalet, not only do you support the artist, but a portion of the sale supports the Arts Council. Open Tuesday-Sunday;

Locations: Palmer Square, Princeton Garden Theatre, Hinds Plaza. Artist chalets have been curated by the Arts Council of Princeton and decorated by McCarter Theatre.

What's on your list to stay busy & festive this month?