FEATURED EVENTS 2024

Patriots Week 2024

Trenton’s Patriots 2024 returns with historic battle reenactments, a Colonial Ball, lectures, music, tours and family activities. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s being planned!

Most activities are FREE!

Start marking your calendar and prepare for great experiences of historic proportion!

Wednesday Dec 25

Annual Christmas Day Crossing Reenactment
12 – 3 pm FREE
Washington Crossing Historic Park
1112 River Rd, Washington Crossing, PA
For details, click link in event title.

Thursday Dec 26

Trenton Battlefield Walking Tour with Ralph Siegel
10 am – Noon FREE
Meet at **downtown location TBD** at 9 am for a question-and-answer session. Tour begins at 10 a.m. The 10-block interpretive walk brings to life the two battles of Trenton. Broad and Warren Streets are once again “Queen” and “King” Streets as Washington’s shivering troops approach from two directions to strike and defeat the German regiments. The tour includes stops at the historic Trenton Battle Monument and the Assunpink Creek in Mill Hill Park.

NJ State House Tours
10 am, 11 am, 1 pm & 2 pm FREE
145 W. State St.
Visit the home of the New Jersey State Legislature. Join a guided tour of the General Assembly and Senate chambers and discover the storied history of New Jersey’s State House. Advanced reservations required. Call 609-847-3150. For details, click link in event title.

The Stars of 1776
12 pm, 1 pm*, 2 pm, and 3 pm [buy tickets at the Planetarium/State Museum]
New Jersey State Museum Planetarium
205 W. State St.
Explore the night sky as it would have been seen in 1776 by George Washington and his troops, then stay for special Planetarium shows. 12:00 PM – Worlds Beyond Earth; 1:00 PM (*does not include 1776 program) – One World, One Sky; 2:00 PM – Dinosaurs of Antarctica; 3:00 PM – Big Astronomy. For details on programs, parking, and ticket prices, click link in event title.

Hidden History Tour
1 pm FREE
St. Michael’s Episcopal Church
140 N. Warren St.
Stop in for a tour and learn how this site was pivotal to the Battle of Trenton. Find out what happened to the cannons under the poplars, discover catacombs under the church and visit the grave of David Brearley, founder of the Electoral College and signer of the Constitution.

Make A Quill Pen & Write like John Hancock
2:30 pm FREE
St Michael’s Episcopal Church
140 N. Warren St.
Create your own piece of history! Fashion a quill pen and see if you can sign your name as well as John Hancock! Everyone gets a feather for their cap.

Surviving the Winters: Housing Washington’s Army During the American Revolution
4 pm FREE
Trenton Masonic Temple
100 Barrack Street
Author Steven Elliott presents an illustrated talk based on his recent book which was recently awarded the 2024 Harry M. Ward American Revolution Round Table of Richmond Book Award. Dr. Elliott is a staff historian with the U.S. Army Military History Institute, and a lecturer at Rutgers-Newark.

Patriots’ Pub Crawl
5:30 pm (purchase your food & drink as you go)
Enjoy good drink, food and camaraderie as we walk to downtown Trenton “pubs” (as they were called in American Revolutionary times). Crawlers may visit each establishment with the group, or journey on your own. Participants are expected to consume and behave responsibly, adhering to all state and local laws. (Check back for the 2024 itinerary!) No fee. Just pay for your food and drinks. Don’t forget to tip your bartender!

Friday Dec 27

Colonial Ball
7 pm – 10 pm tickets required
Trenton Masonic Temple
100 Barrack St.
Mingle with the soldiers of the Battle of Trenton and learn their favorite dance steps while enjoying live music from the Colonial era! Period dress is neither discouraged nor required.

Saturday Dec 28

Battle of Trenton Reenactment/First Battle
11 am FREE
Immerse yourself in history while reenactors fight through the first battle of Trenton. The battle takes place along Warren and Broad Streets between the Trenton Battle Monument (350 N. Warren St) and Mill Hill Park (corner of Front and Broad Streets).

Puppet Show: The Trouble With Trenton
12 pm, and 2 pm FREE
Warren Street Plaza (Corner of Warren & Hanover Streets)
An interactive, historical look at amazing American history presented by marionettes and rod puppets – with lots of help from the audience! The show includes live music, important props, and plenty of “revolting” action. Rain location: First Presbyterian Church, 120 E. State St. Presented by Tucker Tales.

Make A Quill Pen & Write like John Hancock
1 pm FREE
St Michael’s Episcopal Church
140 N. Warren St.
Create your own piece of history! Fashion a quill pen and see if you can sign your name as well as John Hancock! Everyone gets a feather for their cap.

Hogmanay! A Scottish Celebration of the New Year!
2 pm FREE
The 1719 William Trent House
15 Market St
Welcome to the Scottish celebration of the New Year — celebrated in honor of William Trent, founder of Trenton, who immigrated from Scotland. Bagpipers start off the program while visitors learn an authentic Colonial recipe for shortbread, listen to Scottish folk tales, and enjoy Scottish treats. End your visit by sending your wishes for 2024 up in smoke!

Battle of Trenton Reenactment/ Second Battle
3 pm FREE
The second battle takes place between State Street and Mill Hill Park beginning with a short commemorative ceremony at the 1st Presbyterian Church (120 E State Street). The majority of the reenactment takes place in Mill Hill Park, corner of Front and Broad Streets.

Assunpink Firewalk & Reading of Thomas Paine’s The American Crisis
4-6:30 pm FREE
Mill Hill Park, corner of Front and Broad Streets
Starting at 4pm, enjoy live traditional music, warm drinks and cookies on the park’s Iron Bridge, followed by the dramatic lighting of 13 torches along the banks of the historic Assunpink Creek and a dramatic reading of Thomas Paine’s The American Crisis: “These are the times that try men’s souls…”

Sunday Dec 29

Monday Dec 30

Tuesday Dec 31

Civil War Flag Gallery unveiling
10 – 11 am FREE
NJ State Museum
205 W. State St.
Join flag historian Dr. David Martin and the Museum’s director of cultural history Nicholas Ciotola for the history of five new Civil War troop flags being unveiled in the NJ State Museum exhibition, The Civil War Flag Collection of New Jersey.

The Stars of 1776
2:30 pm [purchase tickets at the Planetarium/State Museum]
New Jersey State Museum Planetarium
205 W. State St.
Explore the night sky as it would have been seen in 1776 by George Washington and his troops, then stay for a special Planetarium show. 2:30 PM – Big Astronomy. For details on programs, parking, and ticket prices, click link in event title.

Capital Philharmonic Orchestra of New Jersey New Year’s Eve Concert
8 pm TICKETS REQUIRED
Patriots Theater Trenton War Memorial
1 Memorial Drive
For details, click link in event title.