Best Things to Do in Princeton – Events & Attractions

The campus of Princeton University in Princeton, NJ
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS

Discover the best things to do in Princeton, NJ!

From the gorgeous architecture of Princeton University to shopping along Nassau Street to relaxing in the green of Palmer Square and other top-rated family-friendly attractions, this list covers Princeton’s best events, festivals, restaurants, and outdoor activities, including sporting events at Princeton University, tours at Morven Museum & Garden, and shopping at MarketFair.

🔹 Top AttractionsPrinceton University, Morven Museum & Garden, Nassau Street, Institute for Advanced Study (where Albert Einstein worked), Palmer Square, the Paul Robeson House of Princeton, MarketFair Shoppes, the Farminary
🔹 Outdoor Adventures – Kayaking along the D&R Canal, walking around Princeton University, Terhune Orchards & Winery
🔹 Upcoming Events – Seasonal festivals, Pi Day (3.14) in honor of Albert Einstein, concerts on The Green, family-friendly activities
🔹 RestaurantsYankee Doodle Tap Room at The Nassau Inn, Agricola Eatery, Witherspoon Grill, Elements, the Bent Spoon, Halo Pub, Peacock Inn (for high tea)

Whether you’re searching for “things to do in Princeton this weekend,” kid-friendly activities or seasonal events, we’ve got you covered. Stay up-to-date with the latest happenings and plan your perfect Princeton adventure!

Best Things to Do in Princeton

11 Schools Receive Blue Ribbon Awards From New Jersey Department of Education (2025)

The final Blue Ribbon School awards were handed out by the New Jersey Department of Education, naming 11 top schools across the state to...

New Jersey’s 10 Best Colleges and Universities for 2026, According to WalletHub

WalletHub’s new 2026 Best College & University Rankings are out and Princeton University is at the top of the national list once again. The...

These Are New Jersey’s Best Colleges For 2026, According to US News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report’s eagerly awaited 2026 rankings of the country's best universities is out and once again, New Jersey's Ivy League school...

The Ultimate Guide to College Football in New Jersey

From the excitement of a Big Ten crowd at Rutgers University to the storied Ivy League game day traditions at Princeton to New Jersey’s...

3 New Jersey Towns Named Among the Country’s Best for Outdoor Dining in 2025

Late summer and the start of fall are the best times for outdoor dining and a new list ranks 3 New Jersey towns as...

14 Free New Jersey Adventures Your Kids Will Never Forget

People love to say that having kids is priceless—but entertaining them certainly isn’t. Thankfully, New Jersey has plenty of cost-free ways to captivate kids...

Princeton Staycation: Plan an Overnight at the Graduate Hotel

Planning a couple’s getaway is not always easy – figuring out childcare, booking flights and researching a destination for restaurants and activities can all...

Walk in the Footsteps of New Jersey Celebrities and Legends at These Iconic Spots

New Jersey has a history of producing greatness—from Fort Lee, the birthplace of the American motion picture industry, to Cape May, the nation’s first...

This NJ University Ranks Among the World’s Best, Says U.S. News

U.S. News & World Report released its top universities around the world for 2025-2026, and 7 New Jersey higher institutions made the full list,...

This Princeton Father’s Film About Autism is a Must-See

Princeton father and filmmaker James Christy Jr. has made a movie about what it's really like to raise a child with autism, and it...

These Are the Best Middle Schools in New Jersey, According to U.S. News & World Report

  We put a lot of emphasis on high school education, but the middle school years are just as formative. U.S. News & World Report...

This Beautiful NJ College Campus Just Made Travel + Leisure’s Top 30 List

A college campus is more than just a place to go to class or grab a bite in the dining hall—it’s where students live...

These 30 Towns Are the Top Places to Live in New Jersey, According to Niche

Finding the right place to raise a family is tough, so rankings that take into account education, safety and more can really help. Niche...

These NJ High Schools Send the Most Grads to Harvard, Princeton & MIT

New Jersey's schools are consistently ranked among the nation's best, but are some high schools more likely to send their graduates to Ivy League...

These Are the Best Towns in New Jersey to Raise a Family in 2025, According to Niche

When searching for the ideal town to raise a family, things like top-notch schools, safe neighborhoods, and plenty of parks and things to do...

Best Places to See Daffodils in NJ – Where to Go Near You

Daffodil days in the spring are the best and there are plenty of spots to capture these beauties in bloom. Stroll through gorgeous gardens,...

Princeton Calendar of Events

NJ Events Calendar

  • Call for Tiny Tims From McCarter Theatre Center

    McCarter Theatre Center 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ, United States

    This year marks a milestone for McCarter Theatre Center’s A Christmas Carol, first introduced to audiences in 1980 by then–Artistic Director Nagle Jackson. To honor this occasion, the theater is […]

  • Photos with Santa at Marketfair

    Photos with Santa at Marketfair

    MarketFair 3535 US Highway 1, Princeton, NJ, United States

    Santa will be available for photos in the Center Court (by Anthropologie) daily from November 22 to December 24 (closed Thanksgiving Day). Special Santa Events: Santa & Friends Arrival Celebration: […]

  • Holiday Season at MarketFair

    MarketFair 3535 US Highway 1, Princeton, NJ, United States

    MarketFair will offer many free, family-friendly community events, including Santa’s arrival, pet photos and sensory-friendly mornings. This season’s highlights include: Santa & Friends Arrival Celebration Saturday, November 22 10:30 am […]

  • Cirque De Paris at MarketFair

    Cirque De Paris at MarketFair

    MarketFair 3535 US Highway 1, Princeton, NJ, United States

    Presented by Anouchka Bouglione, Cirque De Paris is returning to MarketFair August 21-August 31 for an enchanting 90-minute show where starting times vary. Including an international all-star cast of artists, […]

  • MarketFair Wish Tree

    MarketFair Wish Tree

    MarketFair 3535 US Highway 1, Princeton, NJ, United States

    From November 25 to December 14, stop by the Common Area near Free People to choose an ornament handcrafted by the Girl Scouts of East & West Windsor from the […]

  • Holiday Arrangements and Wine Tasting

    Terhune Orchards 330 Cold Soil Rd., Princeton, NJ, United States

    Terhune Orchards welcomes guests to a festive and creative holiday arrangement workshop, led by owner Reuwai Mount Hanewald. Participants will design their own arrangements using fresh greens, flowers, berries, and […]

    $47.40
  • Princeton Symphonic Brass Classics and Carols Concert

    community middle school 95 Grovers Mill Road, Plainsboro, NJ, United States

    The Princeton Symphonic Brass, under the baton of Lawrence Kursar, will hold its annual Classics and Carols Holiday Concert. The concert will feature carols, Christmas classics, Hanukkah music. Back by […]

    Free – $20
  • Holiday Children’s Workshops

    Holiday Children’s Workshops

    Terhune Orchards 330 Cold Soil Rd., Princeton, NJ, United States

    Each session includes reading a festive story, a hands-on decorating activity, and a warm cup of hot chocolate—all held inside the farm’s heated barn. Families are invited to stay after […]

    $11.37
  • August Sangria Weekends

    August Sangria Weekends

    Terhune Orchards 330 Cold Soil Rd., Princeton, NJ, United States

    Cool off with a glass of Terhune's own sangria paired with Terhune's own fresh fruits. There will be live music every Friday from 5-8 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from […]

    Free
  • Latest article