Before there was a country, there was a a river crossing in the dark, a capital city waiting in fear, a battlefield outside Princeton and a network of farms, taverns, churches and meetinghouses where ordinary people were pulled into extraordinary events.

Sone 250 years later, those places are not just names in a history book. They are parks, libraries, museums, downtown streets, ballfields, old houses and river towns that still shape daily life in central New Jersey.

America’s semiquincentennial — the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence — will be marked nationally on July 4, 2026. But in this region, the anniversary is especially local.

Trenton, Princeton, Washington Crossing, Bordentown, Allentown and surrounding communities were not bystanders to the Revolution. They were part of the ground on which the future of the country was marched over, fought for and, eventually, claimed.

The events listed below run from July 1 through Dec. 31 and range from fireworks, concerts and public readings of the Declaration of Independence to museum exhibitions, walking tours, library programs, historic-house visits, living history events and family activities.

Some are celebrations. Some are invitations to look more closely at complicated history. Many are both. Together, they offer a chance to revisit the Revolution not as something distant, but as something that happened here.

The following events have been compiled from area municipalities, libraries, museums, historical organizations and regional America 250 programs. They are organized below by region and town, with listings arranged in chronological order within each section.

Trenton

Freedoms Reframed, ongoing through Sunday, July 26: The 1719 William Trent House Museum, 15 Market St., is presenting “Freedoms Reframed,” an art and poetry exhibition commemorating 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

A collaboration between the Trent House and Art Against Racism, the exhibition is curated by Judith K. Brodsky and Rhinold L. Ponder and features artists and poets of different racial backgrounds, nationalities, genders and gender expressions. Their work reflects on the Declaration’s promise of the right to pursue happiness while examining freedom, love, education, safety, economic dignity, health care, self-definition and identity.

Presented at the site of an early 18th-century slaveholding plantation, the exhibition asks visitors to consider how America has expanded, withheld and redefined rights and freedoms over the past 250 years, and to imagine a more equitable future. The exhibition is open during regular museum hours, Wednesday through Sunday from 1 to 4:30 p.m., and by appointment. For more information, visit williamtrenthouse.org.

The Crossing: A Seat at the Table, Thursday, July 2, 7 p.m. (also Friday, July 3, 3 p.m.): A 60-minute concert preview of “The Crossing,” a new American musical inspired by Washington’s crossing of the Delaware and the Ten Crucial Days campaign, will be presented at Mill Hill Playhouse, 205 E. Front St.

The musical reimagines the crossing through the diverse and often overlooked voices of the Continental Army. The show centers in part on Thomas Paine, whose “American Crisis” helped inspire the victories at Trenton and Princeton, and features William “Billy” Lee, George Washington’s valet and constant companion, and Jacob Francis, a New Jersey-born soldier who later served in the Hunterdon County militia.

The preview is part of a summer series leading to the musical’s world premiere at Patriots Theater at the War Memorial on Dec. 26, the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Trenton. Tickets are $35. For more information, visit thecrossingmusical.com.

NJ250: Living Documents, Evolving Rights, Thursday, July 2, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. (also Monday, July 6, through Wednesday, July 8, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.): The New Jersey State Library, 185 W. State St., will offer guided tours of “NJ250: Living Documents, Evolving Rights,” an exhibition presented in partnership with the New Jersey State Archives.

The exhibition examines New Jersey’s constitutional history from 1776 to 2026, focusing on the state’s three constitutions, adopted in 1776, 1844 and 1947. It explores how ideas about freedom, rights, representation, voting and government changed as New Jersey moved through the Revolutionary era, the reform era and the modern era.

Through documents, artifacts and interpretive materials, visitors can consider how state constitutions shape citizens’ rights and duties, and how New Jersey’s courts and lawmakers have defined and redefined those rights over time. Visitors should bring state-issued identification to access the library. For more information, visit njstatelib.org.

Trenton Heritage Week, Friday, July 3, through Wednesday, July 8: Trenton’s signature America 250 celebration will highlight both the city’s Revolutionary War legacy and its modern multicultural character.

Sponsored by the City of Trenton and the Trenton Kiwanis Club, Heritage Week includes a Fourth of July parade and festival, historic tours, church programs, Declaration of Independence readings, concerts, museum exhibits and family activities. A visitors center at 1 W. State St., the site of George Washington’s 1789 reception in Trenton, will help direct guests to historic sites and special events throughout the city.

The week is built around Trenton’s central role in the American Revolution, including the Battle of Trenton and the city’s later importance as a place where the Declaration of Independence was publicly proclaimed. The celebration culminates July 8 with the 250th annual proclamation of the Declaration at the same location where it was first publicly read in Trenton in 1776. For more information, visit trentonnj.org.

Old Barracks Grand Reopening Celebration, Saturday, July 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: The Old Barracks Museum, 101 Barrack St., will celebrate Independence Day and America’s 250th anniversary with a grand reopening following a yearlong restoration project.

The official opening is scheduled for 10 a.m., when local officials will help reopen the gates. Visitors will be invited to preview three new exhibits highlighting the role of the Old Barracks and New Jersey in American history. The museum will also display George Washington’s Inaugural Flower Arch for the first time in decades, along with a recreated arch made of hand-dyed wood flowers representing donors.

The vocal duo Liberty Tree, featuring Stacy Roth and Bob Dupre, will perform “Welcome Mighty Chief” at 10:30 a.m. The day will include living-history demonstrations, community activities and opportunities to explore the restored site as the museum welcomes guests back for the semiquincentennial. For more information, visit barracks.org.

Cultural Heritage Parade and Democracy Reborn Festival, Saturday, July 4, 11:30 a.m.: Trenton’s Fourth of July celebration begins with an 11:30 a.m. kickoff ceremony behind City Hall, followed by the parade at noon.

The parade will include more than 40 marching units, including bands, floats, reenactors, circus performers, antique cars and representatives of cultural and civic organizations. Luddie H. Austin, state commander of the New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars, former Trenton police sergeant and decorated New Jersey Army National Guard veteran, will serve as grand marshal.

The parade route begins on Stockton Street, turns left onto East State Street, right onto North Broad Street, proceeds to the Battle Monument for a wreath-laying ceremony and brief pause, then continues left onto North Warren Street and left onto East Front Street before ending at Mill Hill Park.

The Democracy Reborn Festival begins at 1:30 p.m. in Mill Hill Park with food, music, an escape room, soccer and hockey clinics, crafters and civic organization displays. The festival is intended to connect Trenton’s Revolutionary history with the many cultures and communities that shape the city today. Free parking will be available in the city’s five municipal parking garages. For more information, visit trentonnj.org.

Trenton Thunder Baseball and Fireworks, Saturday, July 4, 6 p.m.: Trenton Heritage Week continues into the evening with baseball and fireworks at Trenton Thunder Ballpark, 1 Thunder Road.

The game offers a family-friendly way to continue the holiday after the downtown parade and Democracy Reborn Festival. The evening gives visitors another Fourth of July option as Trenton marks the nation’s 250th anniversary with events across the city. For more information, visit mlbdraftleague.com/trenton.

The Power to Change: Revolutionary Stories from the New Jersey State Archives, Sunday, July 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (also Tuesday, July 7, and Wednesday, July 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.): The New Jersey State Museum, 205 W. State St., will present an exhibition developed in partnership with the New Jersey State Archives to mark New Jersey’s role in the American Revolution and the nation’s 250th anniversary.

The exhibition features rarely seen federal and state charters, documents and artifacts connected to the Revolutionary era. It explores how Revolutionary ideals shaped government and how those ideas have continued to be interpreted, challenged and reimagined across generations.

The program gives visitors a chance to see historical materials connected to New Jersey’s founding-era story and to consider the continuing impact of Revolutionary ideals on the state’s civic life. For more information, visit state.nj.us/state/museum.

United in Prayer Ecumenical Service, Sunday, July 5, 2 p.m.: Trenton Heritage Week continues with an ecumenical service at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 140 N. Warren St.

The church has deep ties to the city’s Revolutionary War history. Wounded Hessian soldiers were brought there after the Battle of Trenton in 1776. The service is part of the city’s broader effort to connect the anniversary with reflection, history, remembrance and community.

The program also places Heritage Week in the context of Trenton’s religious and civic institutions, many of which have been part of the city’s story for generations. For more information, visit trentonnj.org.

Heritage Churches of Trenton Walking Tour, Sunday, July 5, 3 p.m.: A Heritage Week walking tour beginning at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 140 N. Warren St., will explore historic churches and religious sites in downtown Trenton.

The tour follows the ecumenical service and gives visitors a closer look at the city’s religious and architectural history, including sites connected to Trenton’s colonial, Revolutionary and early American past.

The program is part of the city’s effort to encourage visitors to experience Trenton as a connected historic landscape rather than a single battlefield or monument. For more information, visit trentonnj.org.

America’s Potluck, Sunday, July 5, 3 p.m.: The Old Barracks Museum, 101 Barrack St., will host America’s Potluck as part of Trenton Heritage Week.

The program invites visitors to experience Trenton’s colonial history while taking part in a community-focused gathering at one of the city’s most important Revolutionary War landmarks. The event reflects the broader Heritage Week theme of bringing people together through history, food and shared civic life.

The Old Barracks, originally built during the French and Indian War and later tied to the Battle of Trenton, provides one of the region’s most direct links to the Revolutionary era. For more information, visit barracks.org.

The program connects the nation’s 250th anniversary with a broader reflection on freedom, citizenship and the contradictions of American history. The Trent House, once the center of an early 18th-century plantation, provides a significant setting for a program that asks audiences to think critically about the meaning of independence.

The reading also complements the museum’s “Freedoms Reframed” exhibition, which examines how the promise of liberty has been contested and expanded over time. Free tickets are available through the museum. For more information, visit williamtrenthouse.org.

Friends Meeting House Open House and Programs, Monday, July 6, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (also Tuesday, July 7, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.): The Friends Meeting House, 142 E. Hanover St., will be open during Trenton Heritage Week.

The historic house of worship was built in 1739 and used as British dragoons headquarters in December 1776. Programs include a walking tour of the surrounding historic neighborhood led by Marc McKithen from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and a presentation by Fred Millner on the role of Quakers in New Jersey history and during the Revolution, with a focus on Trenton.

The open house offers a chance to explore one of the city’s oldest religious sites and learn how Quaker history intersects with the Revolutionary period, civic life and Trenton’s development. For more information, visit trentonnj.org.

Official Reading of the Declaration of Independence, Wednesday, July 8, noon: Trenton will reenact the proclamation of the Declaration of Independence at 23 S. Warren St., the same place and time as the city’s first public reading of the Declaration in 1776.

The ceremony is one of the signature events of Heritage Week and connects modern Trenton directly to one of its earliest public commemorations of American independence. Participants will gather at the historic site where residents first heard the Declaration proclaimed 250 years ago.

The noon reading anchors a full day of July 8 programming tied to the Declaration, local history and the city’s role in the Revolutionary era. For more information, visit trentonnj.org.

History Fest250, Wednesday, July 8, 1 p.m.: Following the noon Declaration reading, History Fest250 will bring exhibits, demonstrations and family-friendly activities to downtown Trenton.

Participating organizations include the William Trent House Museum, Morven Museum & Garden, New Jersey State Archives, New Jersey State Library, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Washington Crossing Park Association, Trenton Free Public Library, Pennsbury Manor, Kiwanis Club of Trenton, Trenton Zonta Club and other historical and civic groups.

Visitors can meet historians, explore exhibits and learn about the region’s Revolutionary War history and broader American story. The program is designed as a public history gathering, giving families and visitors a chance to encounter multiple organizations in one downtown setting. For more information, visit trentonnj.org.

Historic Downtown Trenton Walking Tour, Wednesday, July 8, 3 p.m.: Explore Trenton’s Revolutionary-era landmarks, historic streets and civic buildings during a guided walking tour of downtown.

The tour will highlight locations connected to the American Revolution, early state government and Trenton’s development as New Jersey’s capital city. It provides an opportunity to experience many of the sites that played a role in the nation’s founding and growth.

Offered between the afternoon History Fest250 activities and the evening proclamation program, the tour gives visitors a way to connect the city’s surviving historic landscape with the events being commemorated during Heritage Week. For more information, visit trentonnj.org.

International Proclamation of the Declaration of Independence and Blawenburg Band Concert, Wednesday, July 8, 6 p.m.: Trenton will join communities across the nation in an International Proclamation of the Declaration of Independence, with a second public reading scheduled for 6 p.m.

The reading will be followed by a free concert by the 55-member Blawenburg Band. The program will include “The Battle of Trenton,” composed in 1792 by James Hewitt and dedicated to George Washington, along with other patriotic selections.

The performance serves as the musical finale to Heritage Week and Trenton’s July 8 semiquincentennial observances, linking the city’s Revolutionary history with a national commemoration taking place across the states and U.S. territories. For more information, visit trentonnj.org.

Summer Saturdays 2026: Free Family Workshops Celebrate America 250, Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m. to noon (also July 18, July 25 and Aug. 1, 10 a.m. to noon): Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie Mansion, 299 Parkside Ave., will host a series of free hands-on workshops inspired by America’s 250th anniversary.

Designed primarily for children ages 5 to 12, the workshops will explore art, history and the nation’s founding through interactive activities and creative projects. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

The series gives families a way to continue the semiquincentennial celebration beyond the July 4 holiday and Heritage Week, using art and museum programming to introduce younger visitors to history. Advance registration is requested. For more information, visit ellarslie.org.

Old Barracks Museum Colonial Summer Day Camp, Monday, July 13, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (also July 14-17, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.): Children ages 9 to 12 can experience life in Revolutionary America during a weeklong summer camp at the Old Barracks Museum, 101 Barrack St.

Campers will learn about colonial history through hands-on activities, including cooking in the camp kitchen, playing 18th-century games, marching to local historic sites and exploring daily life in Revolutionary-era New Jersey. The program uses the Old Barracks and nearby historic sites as a classroom for learning about the 18th century.

The week concludes with a special closing ceremony. Lunch is included. The cost is $275 for qualifying Old Barracks Association members and $300 for nonmembers. For more information, visit barracks.org.

The Crossing: A Revolutionary New Musical, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2 p.m.: The William Trent House Museum, 15 Market St., will host a free tavern-style preview of “The Crossing,” a new American musical inspired by Washington’s crossing of the Delaware and the Ten Crucial Days campaign.

Presented in the historic setting of the Trent House, the preview offers audiences an opportunity to experience selections from the musical before its world premiere later in the year. The production tells the story of the Revolution through the voices of soldiers, civilians and others whose experiences are often overlooked in traditional accounts.

The preview also connects the musical’s story of the Ten Crucial Days to one of Trenton’s major historic sites, reinforcing the city’s role as a central stage for the semiquincentennial. For more information, visit thecrossingmusical.com.

The Crossing, Saturday, Dec. 26: The world premiere of “The Crossing” will take place at Patriots Theater at the War Memorial on the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Trenton.

The new musical explores Washington’s crossing of the Delaware, the Battles of Trenton and Princeton, and the Ten Crucial Days campaign through a diverse cast of historical figures, including Thomas Paine, William “Billy” Lee and Jacob Francis. The production seeks to present a broader view of the Revolution by highlighting the experiences of people whose stories are often absent from traditional retellings.

The premiere is one of the signature cultural events planned for the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Trenton and the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration. For more information, visit thecrossingmusical.com.

Patriots Week: Battles of Trenton Reenactments, Sunday, Dec. 27, 11 a.m. (also 3 p.m.): Trenton will mark the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Trenton with reenactments on and near the original battlefields.

The first reenactment begins at the Battle Monument at 11 a.m. and follows soldiers as they march out to fight. A second reenactment takes place at 3 p.m. in Mill Hill Park. Together, the programs recreate the dramatic events that helped revive the American cause during the Revolution and changed the course of the war.

Presented as part of Patriots Week, the reenactments are expected to be among the most historically significant local commemorations of the semiquincentennial year. The events are free and held rain or shine. For more information, visit barracks.org.

Princeton

“Nursery of Rebellion”: Princeton and the American Revolution, ongoing through Monday, July 13: Princeton University Library’s exhibition “Nursery of Rebellion” examines Princeton’s role in the American Revolution through rare books, manuscripts, prints and other historical materials.

The exhibition explores the community’s place in the founding era, including the people, ideas and conflicts that shaped Princeton before, during and after the Revolution. Presented in connection with Princeton University’s semiquincentennial programming, it gives visitors a scholarly look at the town’s Revolutionary history and the broader world of 1776. For more information, visit library.princeton.edu.

Princeton’s Taverns: On the Road to Revolution, ongoing: The Historical Society of Princeton’s free outdoor exhibition in Dohm Alley, off Nassau Street, explores the role taverns played in 18th-century Princeton and the ways they shaped everyday life in the community.

Installed steps from where several historic taverns once stood, the exhibition uses maps, newspapers, tavern licenses, personal accounts and other historical sources to show how taverns served as centers of commerce, communication, politics and community life. The project invites visitors to consider how ordinary public spaces helped shape Revolutionary-era Princeton. For more information, visit princetonhistory.org.

Real and Remembered: Princetonians Caught Between Study and Revolution, ongoing through Friday, April 30, 2027: The Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library at Princeton University is presenting an exhibition on Princeton students and the Revolutionary era.

The exhibition examines how young scholars were caught between education, politics and war during the nation’s founding. Through archival materials, visitors can explore the ways Princeton students experienced and remembered the Revolution, and how the university community was shaped by the conflict. For more information, visit library.princeton.edu.

Five Independent Souls: The Signers from New Jersey, ongoing through Sunday, Jan. 17, 2027: Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton St., is presenting an exhibition on New Jersey’s five signers of the Declaration of Independence: Abraham Clark, John Hart, Francis Hopkinson, Richard Stockton and John Witherspoon.

The exhibition examines the lives, ideals and contradictions of the men who represented New Jersey in the struggle for independence. More than 100 historic objects and Revolutionary-era works are on view, offering visitors a deeper look at the people behind the signatures and the world they inhabited. For more information, visit morven.org.

Community on Tap, Friday, July 3, noon (also 1 p.m.): The Historical Society of Princeton will offer informal guided tours of “Princeton’s Taverns: On the Road to Revolution” in Dohm Alley, off Nassau Street.

The tours invite visitors to explore the exhibition in greater depth and learn more about the stories, sources and research behind the project. The program focuses on the taverns where Patriots and Loyalists gathered, debated, exchanged news and conducted business in Revolutionary-era Princeton. For more information, visit princetonhistory.org.

Fourth of July Festival, Saturday, July 4, noon to 3 p.m.: Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton St., will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with its annual free Fourth of July Festival.

The festival takes place at the former home of Richard Stockton, one of New Jersey’s signers of the Declaration. Highlights include live music from The Vintage Vibe Tribe and John Burkhalter of the Practitioners of Musick, lawn games, face painting, food trucks, arts and crafts, community partners and open archives with the Historical Society of Princeton.

Award-winning poet David Mills will read Frederick Douglass’ 1852 speech “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” The museum will be open free of charge during the festival, including access to special exhibitions connected to the nation’s 250th anniversary. Pre-registration is requested. For more information, visit morven.org.

250th Anniversary Independence Day Celebration at Princeton Battlefield, Saturday, July 4, noon to 3 p.m.: Princeton Battlefield State Park, 500 Mercer Road, will host a companion celebration tied to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Activities include readings of the Declaration of Independence at 1 and 3:30 p.m., opportunities to learn Continental Army drill, musket-firing demonstrations, 18th-century crafts, cooking demonstrations and tours of the Clarke House.

The program connects Independence Day with the site of the Battle of Princeton, one of the pivotal engagements of the Ten Crucial Days campaign. Activities are free and open to the public. For more information, visit pbs1777.org.

America250 Walking Tour, Sunday, July 5, 2 p.m.: The Historical Society of Princeton will lead a walking tour exploring what happened in Princeton during the American Revolution.

The tour visits locations occupied or ransacked by the British in 1776, homes of signers of the Declaration of Independence and members of the Continental Congress, taverns where Patriots and Loyalists gathered and debated, and a site connected to the Battle of Princeton. Tickets are required. For more information, visit princetonhistory.org.

Summer Reading Soirée: A Founding Mother, Wednesday, July 8, 6:30 p.m.: Princeton Public Library, Morven Museum & Garden and Labyrinth Books will present the annual Summer Reading Soirée at Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton St.

This year’s program features bestselling authors Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie discussing and signing copies of “A Founding Mother: A Novel of Abigail Adams.” The novel offers an intimate portrait of Abigail Adams and her role in the early republic.

The evening includes sparkling beverages, sorbet, sweet treats, door prizes, giveaways and access to Morven’s grounds. Tickets include a copy of the book, and seating is limited. For more information, visit morven.org.

Revolution Sundays: The Battle of Princeton, Sunday, July 12, 1 p.m. (also July 26, Aug. 2, Aug. 16, Sept. 6, Sept. 13, Sept. 27, Oct. 11 and Oct. 18, 1 p.m.): Princeton Battlefield Society will present its Revolution Sundays series at Princeton Battlefield State Park, 500 Mercer Road.

The programs explore the Battle of Princeton and the Ten Crucial Days campaign, beginning with Washington’s crossing of the Delaware on Dec. 25, 1776, and continuing through the battles of Trenton and Princeton. The Battle of Princeton on Jan. 3, 1777, helped transform American morale and the military course of the Revolution.

The recurring programs give visitors multiple opportunities through the summer and fall to experience the battlefield, learn about troop movements and understand why Princeton became a turning point in the Revolutionary War. For more information, visit pbs1777.org.

When the Declaration of Independence Was News, Sunday, July 19, 2 p.m.: Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton St., will host historian Emily Sneff for a Generation Declaration program focused on the Declaration of Independence at the moment of its creation.

Sneff, a leading expert on the Declaration, will discuss how the document was communicated to people in the new nation and around the Atlantic world before anyone knew what its legacy would be or whether the United States would win the war. The program explores the roles of printers, soldiers, diplomats, translators and others involved in declaring independence.

Copies of Sneff’s book “When the Declaration of Independence Was News” will be available for purchase and signing. Registration includes museum admission on July 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, visit morven.org.

Stories in the Garden: “Try It” with People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos, Thursday, July 23, 6:30 p.m.: Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton St., will host an evening literature program in the gardens with People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos.

Participants will hear a contemporary short story read aloud by an experienced coordinator, followed by a guided conversation designed to bring people together through shared reading and discussion. The program is free, but capacity is limited and pre-registration is required.

While not a traditional Revolutionary War program, the event is part of Morven’s broader July slate of community programs during the semiquincentennial year, connecting literature, conversation and civic life at the former home of Declaration signer Richard Stockton. For more information, visit morven.org.

Listening to the Revolution: 250 Years of American Music, Thursday, July 30, 6 p.m.: Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton St., will host a free community concert by the Blawenburg Band on Morven’s historic front lawn.

The program, “Listening to the Revolution: 250 Years of American Music,” invites visitors to bring blankets, lawn chairs, family and friends to the former home of a signer of the Declaration of Independence and New Jersey’s first governor’s mansion. The Blawenburg Band, established in 1890, is one of the oldest community bands in New Jersey and is conducted by Dr. Jerry E. Rife.

Pre-registration is requested. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be held Friday, July 31. For more information, visit morven.org.

Book Talk with Brooke Barbier: A Revolutionary Take on Cocktails & History, Friday, July 31, 5 p.m.: Public historian Brooke Barbier will discuss “Cocked and Boozy: An Intoxicated History of the American Revolution” at Nassau Inn in Princeton.

The book explores the role alcohol played in colonial politics, relationships and the economy before and during the Revolution. The program offers a lighter but historically grounded look at the founding era, connecting taverns, drinking culture and political life in Revolutionary America. For more information, visit princetonhistory.org.

Community on Tap, Friday, Aug. 7, 5 p.m. (also 6 p.m.): The Historical Society of Princeton will continue its informal guided tour series tied to “Princeton’s Taverns: On the Road to Revolution” in Dohm Alley, off Nassau Street.

The tours explore the stories, sources and research behind the outdoor exhibition, which examines how taverns functioned as centers of conversation, exchange, politics and community life during the Revolutionary era. For more information, visit princetonhistory.org.

Princeton Battlefield 5K, Sunday, Sept. 6: Princeton Battlefield State Park will host a history-themed 5K and 1K walk as part of the RevolutionNJ Race Series.

The event connects fitness with New Jersey’s Revolutionary War history at one of the most important battlefield sites of the Ten Crucial Days campaign. Participants will run or walk at the site where Washington’s army fought one of the campaign’s pivotal engagements. For more information, visit revnj.org.

Princeton and the American Revolution: A Four-Part Series, Thursday, Sept. 10, 6:30 p.m. (also Sept. 17, Sept. 24 and Oct. 1, 6:30 p.m.): The Historical Society of Princeton will mark the 250th anniversary with a four-part program at Updike Farmstead, 354 Quaker Road.

The series examines Revolutionary War events connected to Princeton and the surrounding region, including the Battle of Brooklyn, the Ten Crucial Days and Princeton’s role as the nation’s capital in 1783. The program gives participants a more sustained look at the local, regional and national events that shaped Princeton’s Revolutionary-era history. For more information, visit princetonhistory.org.

Community on Tap, Friday, Sept. 11, noon (also 1 p.m.): The Historical Society of Princeton will offer additional guided tours of “Princeton’s Taverns: On the Road to Revolution” in Dohm Alley.

The tours examine the role taverns played in 18th-century Princeton as places where residents and travelers heard news, debated politics, conducted business and gathered in community. The program gives visitors a deeper understanding of the exhibition and the research behind it. For more information, visit princetonhistory.org.

Princeton 1776 Fest, Saturday, Oct. 3: Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton St., will host Princeton 1776 Fest, a free community celebration co-sponsored by the Historical Society of Princeton, Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton Battlefield Society and the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The event will include live music, living-history interpreters, craftspeople, special exhibitions, food and drink. The celebration brings several of Princeton’s major historical organizations together for a broad public commemoration of the semiquincentennial. Rain date is Sunday, Oct. 4. For more information, visit morven.org.

Experience the Battle of Princeton, Sunday, Dec. 27, noon to 2 p.m.: Princeton Battlefield Society will mark the 250th anniversary of the Ten Crucial Days campaign with a Battle of Princeton program at Princeton Battlefield State Park, Mercer Road.

The program will be coordinated with Washington Crossing Historic Park in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and the Old Barracks Museum in Trenton. It will commemorate the campaign that began with Washington’s crossing of the Delaware and continued through the battles of Trenton and Princeton. Registration is required. For more information, visit pbs1777.org.

Hamilton

Founding Flavors of Hamilton, Wednesday, July 1, through Friday, July 31: Hamilton Township’s monthlong culinary celebration for America’s 250th anniversary invites local restaurants and food establishments to bring American history into the dining scene.

Participating businesses may offer historically themed menus, trivia nights, interactive experiences, special events and family or children’s specials. The township-supported initiative is designed to encourage residents to explore Hamilton restaurants, sweet shops and neighborhood food businesses throughout July while marking the nation’s semiquincentennial.

The program also gives local businesses a way to participate in Hamilton’s broader 250th anniversary celebration. For more information, visit hamiltonnj.com.

Hamilton Independence Day Fireworks and Concert, Wednesday, July 1, 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.: Hamilton Township will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with an evening of music, food vendors and fireworks at Veterans Park South Entrance, 2206 Kuser Road.

The event features NJ Fife and Drum at 6 p.m. and The Best of the Eagles at 7:15 p.m. Fireworks are scheduled to begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.

Accessible parking will be available near the South Entrance Tennis/Pickleball Complex and Dog Park, though space is limited. General parking will be available at the north, east and west entrances of Veterans Park and at Steinert High School. Rain date is Thursday, July 2. For more information, visit hamiltonnj.com.

250th Birthday Bash with Stage a Story, Thursday, July 2, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.: Hamilton Township Public Library, 1 Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. Way, will host a children’s America 250 program with Stage a Story.

Children will hear “Ten Rules of the Birthday Wish,” act out what it might be like to be 250 years old, dance to music that is 250 years old and make birthday crowns. The program is recommended for ages 3 to 8.

Space is limited, and registration is requested. For more information, visit hamiltonnjpl.org.

Red, White and Blue Run, Saturday, July 4, 9 a.m.: Parkrun will host a red, white and blue run at Veterans Park as part of Hamilton’s America 250 celebration.

Participants are encouraged to wear red, white and blue for the community run or walk. The event offers residents a morning opportunity to mark the anniversary outdoors before other Independence Day events begin elsewhere in the region. For more information, visit hamiltonnj.com.

Kuser Mansion Tours, Saturday, July 4, noon to 4 p.m. (also Saturdays and Sundays in July): Kuser Farm Mansion, 390 Newkirk Ave., offers guided tours of the Queen Anne-style country home built in 1892 as part of the Kuser family estate.

Hamilton Township purchased the home and surrounding farm in 1976 with assistance from New Jersey’s Green Acres preservation program, and the mansion has served as a house museum since 1979. The tours give visitors a look at one of Hamilton’s preserved historic properties during the same month the township is marking America’s 250th anniversary.

The last walk-through tour begins at 2:15 p.m. For more information, visit hamiltonnj.com.

John Abbott House Tours, Saturday, July 4, 1 to 4:30 p.m. (also Saturdays and Sundays in July): The Historical Society of Hamilton Township offers free tours of the John Abbott II House, 2200 Kuser Road.

The circa-1730 house was home to John Abbott, a patriot associated with efforts to hide the New Jersey treasury from British troops advancing on Trenton in 1776. The house, located near Veterans Park, is listed on the New Jersey and National registers of historic places.

The last tour begins at 4 p.m. For more information, visit hamiltonnj.com.

“Hamilton” Screening, Wednesday, July 8, 6 p.m.: Hamilton Township Public Library, 1 Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. Way, will screen the Broadway production of “Hamilton” as part of the township’s America 250 celebration.

The musical tells the story of Alexander Hamilton and the founding era through a contemporary blend of music and theater. Attendees are encouraged to dress in colonial attire, “Hamilton” merchandise or Schuyler Sister-inspired costumes.

The screening is part of Hamilton’s July programming marking the nation’s 250th anniversary. For more information, visit hamiltonnj.com.

“Hamilton” Sing-Along Screening, Saturday, July 11, 1 p.m.: Hamilton Township Public Library, 1 Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. Way, will host a sing-along screening of “Hamilton” as part of the township’s 250th anniversary programming.

The event invites fans of the musical to join in with the songs while celebrating the founding era through one of Broadway’s most popular modern portrayals of American history. Costumes are encouraged. For more information, visit hamiltonnj.com.

East Windsor

New Jersey and the American Revolution: 1775-1781, Thursday, July 16, 6 p.m.: Mercer County Library’s Twin Rivers Branch, 276 Abbington Drive, will host Brian Armstrong for a program on New Jersey’s role in the American Revolution.

Armstrong, an independent historian, researcher and author, will discuss New Jersey’s strategic importance during the war because of its location between New York and Philadelphia. The program will touch on Washington’s crossing of the Delaware, the battles of Trenton, Princeton and Monmouth, and other events that gave New Jersey its reputation as the “Crossroads of the American Revolution.”

Armstrong is president of the League of Historical Societies of New Jersey and past president of the South River Historical & Preservation Society. Registration is required. For more information, visit mcl.org.

George Washington’s Ten Crucial Days, Tuesday, July 21, 6:30 to 8 p.m.: Mercer County Library’s Hickory Corner Branch, 138 Hickory Corner Road, will host historian David Price, author of “Winning the Ten Crucial Days,” for a program on Washington’s winter campaign of 1776-77.

Price will discuss how leadership, geography, weather and artillery helped shape the victories at Trenton and Princeton and changed the course of the Revolutionary War. The program places Mercer County and central New Jersey at the center of one of the most consequential military campaigns in American history. Registration is requested. For more information, visit mcl.org.

NJ Needlework: Stitching New Jersey’s Story, Tuesday, July 28, 6:30 to 8 p.m.: Mercer County Library’s Hickory Corner Branch, 138 Hickory Corner Road, will host the founders of the New Jersey Needlework project for a discussion of embroidered scenes highlighting the state’s role in the American Revolution.

The project includes scenes connected to the first reading of the Declaration of Independence in Trenton, Washington’s crossing of the Delaware and the Battle of Trenton. The program combines art, craft and history to show how needlework can be used to tell New Jersey’s Revolutionary story in a visual and tactile way. Registration is requested. For more information, visit mcl.org.

Ewing

America250: Family Recipe Swap & Tasting, Thursday, July 2, 1 p.m.: Mercer County Library’s Ewing Branch, 61 Scotch Road, will invite adults to celebrate America 250 by sharing family recipes and the stories behind them.

Participants are asked to bring a dish and recipe to share, then sample food from other attendees while learning about family traditions, immigration stories and the ways food helps preserve memory and culture. The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Ewing Library and is scheduled before a screening of “Hamilton.” Registration is required. For more information, visit mcl.org.

Special Screening: “Hamilton,” Thursday, July 2, 2 p.m.: Mercer County Library’s Ewing Branch, 61 Scotch Road, will screen “Hamilton,” the Broadway musical filmed live on stage.

The screening follows the branch’s America250 Family Recipe Swap & Tasting and gives attendees a chance to continue the day’s semiquincentennial programming through one of the best-known modern portrayals of the founding era. The film is rated PG-13 and has a runtime of 180 minutes. For more information, visit mcl.org.

America 250 Patriotic Suncatcher, Thursday, July 2, 3:30 p.m.: Mercer County Library’s Ewing Branch, 61 Scotch Road, will host a patriotic craft program for America’s 250th anniversary.

Participants will make America 250-themed suncatchers during a program sponsored by the Friends of the Ewing Library. The activity is part of the library’s broader effort to offer family and community programming connected to the semiquincentennial. For more information, visit mcl.org.

Ewing 250 Independence Day Fireworks and Concert, Thursday, July 2, 6:30 p.m.: Ewing Township will mark America’s 250th anniversary with its Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza at The College of New Jersey Soccer Field, Green Lane.

Gates open at 6:30 p.m., with fireworks scheduled after 9 p.m. The event will include a Heritage Showcase before the fireworks, featuring live music, reenactors, storytelling tents and youth activities centered on Washington’s crossing of the Delaware and its importance to Ewing’s Revolutionary-era geography.

The program ties Ewing’s annual Independence Day celebration to the township’s location along the route of Washington’s campaign toward Trenton. For more information, visit ewingnj.org.

Remember George Washington’s March to Trenton, Friday, July 3, noon to 3 p.m.: The West Trenton Garden Club will host a 250th anniversary celebration at Birmingham Park, at the corner of Bear Tavern Road and West Upper Ferry Road.

The park marks a key location where Washington’s troops divided on their march toward Trenton in December 1776. Roger S. Williams, state historian for the New Jersey Society, Sons of the American Revolution, and co-founder of TenCrucialDays.org, will appear in uniform with a musket and provide historical context.

The program will include children’s activities, colonial-period crafts, a scavenger hunt, book reading, patriotic decorations, American flags for children, light refreshments and essay contest awards for Lore Elementary School fifth-graders. Parking will be available at the West Trenton Fire Company, 40 W. Upper Ferry Road, with accessible parking adjacent to the park. For more information, visit wtgc.org.

Special Screening: “1776,” Thursday, July 9, 2 p.m.: Mercer County Library’s Ewing Branch, 61 Scotch Road, will screen the 1972 film “1776,” a musical retelling of the Continental Congress’ debate over declaring independence.

The film stars William Daniels, Howard Da Silva and Ken Howard and has a runtime of 141 minutes. The screening offers a lighter but historically themed way to continue the branch’s America 250 programming after Independence Day. For more information, visit mcl.org.

“Alive in Ewing — Revolution-Era Soldiers and Citizens!” Cemetery Tours, Sunday, July 12, 2 to 5 p.m.: The Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society will present guided cemetery tours at the 1867 Sanctuary, 101 Scotch Road, focusing on Revolutionary-era soldiers and citizens.

Guides Larry Kidder and Helen Kull will lead visitors through Ewing Church Cemetery and share stories of people connected to the Revolutionary period. Parking will be available across the street from the cemetery around the church-owned buildings, with Ewing police assisting pedestrians crossing Scotch Road.

Accessible parking and drop-off areas will be available in front of the 1867 Sanctuary and education building for vehicles with disability placards or plates. For more information, visit ewinghistory.org.

Hopewell Valley

Titusville Fourth of July Parade, Saturday, July 4, 11 a.m.: Titusville’s Fourth of July tradition continues as part of Hopewell Township’s 250th anniversary programming.

The baby parade begins at 11 a.m., followed by the main parade at 12:30 p.m. The event brings the community together along River Drive, near the Delaware River and Washington Crossing, in an area closely tied to the Revolutionary War and the Ten Crucial Days campaign. For more information, visit hopewelltwp.org.

Unearthing History, One Page at a Time: Revolutionary War Pension Files, Saturday, July 11, 10 to 11:30 a.m.: Mercer County Library’s Hopewell Branch, 245 Pennington-Titusville Road, Pennington, will host a hands-on genealogy and history program focused on Revolutionary War pension files.

Participants will explore records from a National Archives and National Park Service collaboration. The files may include marriage and family documents, military details, letters, diaries and family trees, giving researchers a window into the lives of Revolutionary War soldiers and their families.

Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop; a limited number will be available on site. Registration is requested. For more information, visit mcl.org.

Lawrence

Poetry Circle: America 250 Poetry Reading and Discussion, Thursday, July 9, 6:30 to 8 p.m.: Mercer County Library’s Lawrence Headquarters Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike, will host a special poetry reading and discussion exploring the many voices that have shaped the nation.

Poems include Walt Whitman’s “I Hear America Singing,” Langston Hughes’ “I, Too,” Maya Angelou’s “America,” Philip Freneau’s “The American Soldier,” Stephen Dunn’s “The Sacred” and Gregory Djanikian’s “Immigrant Picnic.” The program will also honor Poetry Circle presenters who have led discussions for more than a decade.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Lawrence Library, the program connects America’s 250th anniversary with literature, identity and civic reflection. Registration is requested. For more information, visit mcl.org.

Summer Jazz Concert: Ambiance Duo with Dennis Ionata, Thursday, July 16, 7 to 8 p.m.: Mercer County Library’s Lawrence Headquarters Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike, will celebrate Independence Day and America’s 250th anniversary with a patriotic evening of jazz.

The concert features Ambiance Duo — Bob Smith on clarinet and Debbie Smith on bass — joined by trumpeter Dennis Ionata. The program includes “God Bless America,” “America the Beautiful” and “The Star-Spangled Banner,” along with jazz favorites such as “When You’re Smiling,” “All of Me” and “Blue Skies.”

Sponsored by the Friends of the Lawrence Library, the performance gives the semiquincentennial a musical local-library setting. Registration is appreciated. For more information, visit mcl.org.

Plainsboro

Summer at the Museum: America Turns 250, Sunday, July 5, 1 to 4 p.m.: The Historic Wicoff House Museum, 641 Plainsboro Road, will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with an afternoon of crafts, games and other family activities at the museum.

The program is part of the museum’s summer programming tied to the semiquincentennial and gives families a way to mark the anniversary through hands-on activities and local history. For more information, visit wicoffhouseplainsboro.com.

Museum Summer Camp, Monday, Aug. 24, 1 to 5 p.m. (also Aug. 25-28, 1 to 5 p.m.): The Historic Wicoff House Museum, 641 Plainsboro Road, will offer a summer camp for children ages 5 to 11 in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.

Campers will step back to 1776 and explore how everyday people lived, worked and created during the nation’s founding era. The camp includes hands-on crafts, art projects, games and experiments inspired by the late 18th century. The fee is $50 for residents and nonresidents. For more information, visit plainsboronj.com.

Summer History Faire, Saturday, Aug. 29, 1 to 4 p.m.: The Historic Wicoff House Museum, 641 Plainsboro Road, will host a Summer History Faire following its America 250 summer camp week.

Details are limited in the museum bulletin, but the event is part of the museum’s summer history programming and should serve as a family-friendly way to continue the semiquincentennial focus at the Wicoff House. For more information, visit wicoffhouseplainsboro.com.

Robbinsville

America 250th Birthday Celebration, Wednesday, July 1, 11 a.m.: The Vincent J. Calcagno Senior Center, 1117 Route 130, will host an America 250th Birthday Celebration with patriotic music, a slide show, ceremonies and a luncheon.

The program includes patriotic music by Ken Mayberg and Terri Morrow, a patriotic slide show by Dominick Critelli and decorations by Steven Czerwinski. Doors open at 11 a.m., followed by ceremonies from 11:30 a.m. to noon, including the Pledge of Allegiance, national anthem, “God Bless America” and recognition of veterans by Robbinsville Township elected officials and first responders.

Lunch, dessert and closing activities follow at noon. Meals are for senior center members; cold drinks and patriotic cake are for all attendees. For more information, visit robbinsville.net.

Reading of the Declaration of Independence, Saturday, July 4, 9 to 9:30 a.m.: The Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton, in partnership with Robbinsville Township, will host a public reading of the Declaration of Independence at the gazebo at West Town Center Lake on Lake Drive.

Community members, youth groups and local officials will read sections aloud as part of Robbinsville’s America 250 observance. Participants who want a speaking role should arrive by 8:30 a.m.

The event will be held rain or shine, with parking available on local streets. For more information, visit robbinsville.net.

West Windsor

West Windsor Time Capsule Burial, Saturday, July 4, 1:30 p.m.: The Historical Society of West Windsor, 50 Southfield Road, will dedicate a 50-year time capsule to be opened in 2076.

From April through June, the society asked the community to contribute items reflecting modern West Windsor as part of Revolution West Windsor, the township’s semiquincentennial effort. The burial ceremony gives residents a chance to mark America’s 250th anniversary by preserving a snapshot of local life for the next generation. For more information, visit westwindsorhistory.com.

Pie Contest: Red, White, Blue, Saturday, July 4: West Windsor’s red, white and blue pie contest at the West Windsor Community Farmers’ Market is part of Revolution West Windsor programming.

The contest marks the nation’s 250th anniversary through a community food tradition, inviting residents to celebrate with a patriotic theme at one of the township’s regular gathering places. For more information, visit westwindsorfarmersmarket.org.

“11 for Semiquin” Exhibition Opening Reception, Friday, July 10, 7 to 8:30 p.m.: West Windsor Arts, 952 Alexander Road, will host the opening reception for “11 for Semiquin,” an exhibition connected to Revolution West Windsor.

The exhibition features 11 artists selected by juror Tricia Fagan to create new work in response to local museums and historic sites. Partner organizations and historical reenactors are expected at the reception.

The project uses contemporary art to respond to local history and the nation’s 250th anniversary, bringing the semiquincentennial into a cultural and community arts setting. For more information, visit westwindsorarts.org.

Bordentown

Joseph Bonaparte Exhibit at the 1740 Friends Meetinghouse, ongoing through Saturday, July 18: The Bordentown Historical Society’s 1740 Friends Meetinghouse will be open for visitors to see its Joseph Bonaparte exhibit.

The exhibit focuses on one of Bordentown’s most distinctive historical figures: Joseph Bonaparte, the former king of Spain and Naples and brother of Napoleon Bonaparte, who lived in Bordentown after leaving Europe. While not directly tied to the American Revolution, the exhibit gives visitors a chance to explore Bordentown’s deep historical identity during the broader America 250 season.

The Bordentown Historical Society is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to preserving and interpreting the city’s history. For more information, visit bordentownhistory.org.

Bordentown Independence Day Fireworks Celebration, Friday, July 3, 4 p.m.: Bordentown Township will mark the Fourth of July weekend with its annual fireworks celebration at Joseph Lawrence Park, 316 Ward Ave.

Festivities begin at 4 p.m. and include food trucks, music, children’s activities and community gathering time before fireworks at dusk. As part of Bordentown Township’s America 250 kickoff, attendees may also pick up free Bordentown Township 250 car magnets and commemorative T-shirts while supplies last.

The rain date is Tuesday, Aug. 4. For more information, visit bordentowntownship.com.

Allentown, Upper Freehold and Millstone

Proclamation of the Declaration of Independence, Saturday, July 4: Allentown will mark America’s 250th anniversary with a public proclamation of the Declaration of Independence as part of its semiquincentennial programming.

The event connects the borough’s America 250 observance with the founding document adopted in 1776 and with Allentown’s broader effort to recognize the role the area and Monmouth County played in the fight for independence.

The program is part of Allentown’s 250th anniversary programming, coordinated through the Allentown 250 Committee with support from The Allentown Village Initiative. For more information, visit allentownboronj.com.

America’s 250 Potluck and Let Freedom Ring, Sunday, July 5: Allentown will continue its semiquincentennial observance with an America’s 250 Potluck and Let Freedom Ring event organized with The Allentown Village Initiative.

The program is part of the broader America’s Potluck effort encouraging communities to gather around a shared meal during the 250th anniversary weekend. The event is meant to bring residents together in a simple, communal way, using food, conversation and local connection to mark the nation’s milestone.

The Let Freedom Ring portion of the program ties the local gathering to a nationwide spirit of commemoration, reflection and celebration during the first Fourth of July weekend of America’s 250th anniversary year. For more information, visit allentownvinj.org.

Other 250 Celebrations

Monmouth County’s 250 for 250 Challenge, ongoing through Saturday, July 4: Monmouth County’s 250 for 250 Challenge invites participants to walk or run 250 miles in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.

The virtual wellness challenge began 250 days before the semiquincentennial and continues through July 4. Participants may complete miles anywhere — on trails, roads, sidewalks, treadmills or boardwalks — and log them as part of the countywide effort.

Participants who complete the challenge will receive commemorative medals honoring America’s 250th anniversary and Monmouth County’s role in the fight for independence. Medal pickup is scheduled for Monday, July 13, through Friday, July 31, at the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office, 33 Mechanic St., Freehold. For more information, visit monmouthnj250.org.

The Crossing: Picturing the American Revolution, ongoing through Sunday, Jan. 10, 2027: The Michener Art Museum, 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown, Pennsylvania, presents an exhibition examining how Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River has been pictured, mythologized and reconsidered over time.

The exhibition commemorates the 250th anniversary of the crossing and includes works by local, national and international artists, including Edward Hicks, William Francis Taylor, Charles W. Hargens, Robert Beck, Mort Künstler, Mark Thomas Gibson, vanessa german, Kent Monkman, Flechas and Ai Weiwei.

The exhibition looks at the making and unmaking of one of the most famous images in American Revolutionary memory and asks visitors to consider how history painting shapes public understanding of the past. For more information, visit michenerartmuseum.org.

The Sound of America: A Semi-Quincentennial Concert, Wednesday, July 1, 7 p.m.: The Garden State Arts Foundation, MonmouthNJ 250, Live Nation, PNC Bank and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority will present a free concert at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.

The concert features the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus, along with the American Bombshells, in a patriotic program marking the start of the Fourth of July weekend. The performance is part of Monmouth County’s broader semiquincentennial observance.

Free tickets are required. For more information, visit gsafoundation.org.

1776: The Classic Movie Musical, Friday, July 3, 7 p.m.: State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, will screen “1776” as part of Middlesex County’s America 250 programming.

The film adaptation of the Broadway musical dramatizes the debates, compromises and political maneuvering that led to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The screening gives audiences a theatrical way to begin the 250th anniversary weekend.

Tickets are $5. For more information, visit stnj.org.

Independence Day Celebration at Washington Crossing Historic Park, Saturday, July 4, 4 to 9:30 p.m.: Washington Crossing Historic Park, 1112 River Road, Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania, will host an evening of living history, community celebration, live music and fireworks over the Delaware River.

The program brings families back to July 4, 1776, with historical interpretation, demonstrations and activities tied to the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding. The evening concludes with fireworks over the river, linking the Independence Day celebration to the site most closely associated with Washington’s crossing later that year.

Tickets are required for some activities. For more information, visit washingtoncrossingpark.org.

Burlington County Historical Society Fourth of July Celebration, Saturday, July 4, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: The Burlington County Historical Society will mark America’s 250th anniversary with a Fourth of July celebration at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Burlington City.

The program is expected to include a live reading of the Declaration of Independence along with music and historical programming at one of New Jersey’s oldest church sites. The event gives Burlington County a direct July 4 connection to the founding document and the region’s Revolutionary-era history.

For more information, visit burlingtoncountyhistoricalsociety.org.

A Revolutionary Celebration: Independence Day on the Raritan, Saturday, July 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Middlesex County will host a semiquincentennial celebration at East Jersey Old Town Village, 1050 River Road, Piscataway.

The event commemorates the feu de joie, or “fire of joy,” that took place along the Raritan River on July 4, 1778. The day begins with a Revolutionary 5K Celebration Run, followed by historical programming, interpreters, activities and opportunities to explore the village.

General George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette are expected to be part of the historical interpretation, connecting the celebration to Middlesex County’s Revolutionary War history and its strategic location between New York and Philadelphia. For more information, visit middlesexcountyculture.com.

Liberty Madness, Saturday, July 4, 10:30 a.m. (also Sunday, July 5, 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Saturday, July 11, 3 and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, July 12, 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.): Thinkery & Verse will present “Liberty Madness” at East Jersey Old Town Village in Piscataway as part of Middlesex County’s America 250 programming.

The performance is scheduled during the county’s Independence Day weekend celebration and continues on additional July dates. The program uses theater to bring Revolutionary-era conflict, debate and identity into a live performance setting.

The show is part of Middlesex County’s broader “At the Crossroads of the Revolution” commemoration. For more information, visit middlesexcountyculture.com.

America’s Potluck, Sunday, July 5: Burlington City will participate in America’s Potluck, a semiquincentennial initiative encouraging communities to gather around food, family history and shared stories.

The Burlington City event is expected to take place along the Riverfront Promenade and invite participants to bring family memories, photographs or artifacts connected to the oldest generations in their families. The program uses the simple act of sharing food and stories to connect the 250th anniversary to local families and community memory.

For more information, visit burlingtoncountynj.gov.

Revolutionary Skies, Friday, July 10, 8 p.m. (also Friday, July 17, and Friday, July 24, 8 p.m.): The Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium, 118 Lamington Road, Branchburg, will present “Revolutionary Skies,” a planetarium program connected to America’s 250th anniversary.

The show explores the stars, celestial events and scientific ideas familiar to people during the Revolutionary War era. It offers a different angle on the semiquincentennial by connecting the founding period with astronomy, navigation and the night sky.

Tickets are required, and reservations are recommended. For more information, visit raritanval.edu/planetarium.

Redcoats to Rebels, Friday, July 10, 9 p.m. (also Friday, July 17, and Friday, July 24, 9 p.m.): The Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium, 118 Lamington Road, Branchburg, will pair the semiquincentennial with a laser concert featuring British Invasion and American rock music.

The program follows “Revolutionary Skies” on July Friday nights and uses music and laser visuals to play off the Revolution-era contrast between redcoats and rebels. The show includes loud music and flashing graphics.

Tickets are required, and reservations are recommended. For more information, visit raritanval.edu/planetarium.

Soldier Saturdays: Hessian Occupation, Saturday, July 11, 11 a.m.: Washington Crossing Historic Park, 1112 River Road, Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania, will host a living history program focused on Hessian soldiers and the occupation of the region during the Revolutionary War.

The program gives visitors a closer look at the troops who fought for Britain during the war and the role Hessian forces played in the 1776 campaign that culminated in the battles of Trenton and Princeton.

The event is part of the park’s ongoing Revolutionary War interpretation during the 250th anniversary year. For more information, visit washingtoncrossingpark.org.

Rebels and Redcoats Car Show, Sunday, July 12, 10 a.m.: Washington Crossing Historic Park, 1112 River Road, Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania, will host its Rebels and Redcoats Car Show.

The event brings classic and antique cars to one of the region’s most recognizable Revolutionary War sites during the 250th anniversary season. The rain date is Sunday, July 19.

The show gives visitors a lighter community event tied to the park’s Independence Day and semiquincentennial programming. For more information, visit washingtoncrossingpark.org.

Unplugged Family Day: Revolutionary Riverboats, Sunday, July 12: The Michener Art Museum, 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown, Pennsylvania, will offer a family program connected to “The Crossing: Picturing the American Revolution.”

The program invites families to explore the history and imagery of Washington’s crossing through hands-on activity. It is designed as an accessible way for children and families to engage with the exhibition’s themes of history, myth and memory.

Registration is recommended. For more information, visit michenerartmuseum.org.

WCHP Book Club, Monday, July 20, 5:30 p.m.: Washington Crossing Historic Park’s book club will meet virtually to discuss a Revolutionary-era reading.

The park’s book club focuses on books that shed light on the American Revolution, with special attention to the Delaware River crossing, the 1776 campaign and the events surrounding Washington Crossing Historic Park. The discussion is led by park staff and is open to history enthusiasts.

Registration is required. For more information, visit washingtoncrossingpark.org.

A Forgotten History of the Artists Who Championed the American Revolution, Tuesday, July 21, 7 p.m.: The Michener Art Museum will host a virtual program with historian Zara Anishanslin in connection with “The Crossing: Picturing the American Revolution.”

The program examines the artists and image-makers who helped shape public understanding of the American Revolution. It complements the museum’s exhibition by looking beyond familiar Revolutionary images to the people and networks that helped create them.

The program is pay-what-you-wish. For more information, visit michenerartmuseum.org.

Monmouth County Fair, Wednesday, July 22, 4 to 11 p.m. (also Thursday, July 23, and Friday, July 24, 4 to 11 p.m.; Saturday, July 25, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, July 26, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.): The Monmouth County Fair returns to the East Freehold Showgrounds, Kozloski Road, Freehold, with a special 250th anniversary celebration tied to Monmouth County’s Revolutionary history.

The fair includes rides, entertainment, food, 4-H exhibits, demonstrations and family activities. Opening night is expected to include semiquincentennial programming connected to MonmouthNJ 250, recognizing the county’s role as a Revolutionary War battleground.

General admission is $10 for adults; children 12 and younger are admitted free. For more information, visit monmouthcountyparks.com.

Exploring the Galleries with Executive Director Anne Corso, Thursday, July 30, 2:30 p.m.: The Michener Art Museum, 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown, Pennsylvania, will offer a guided gallery program connected to “The Crossing: Picturing the American Revolution.”

The program gives visitors an opportunity to explore the exhibition with the museum’s executive director and consider how artists have represented, reimagined and challenged the imagery of Washington’s crossing over time.

Tickets are required. For more information, visit michenerartmuseum.org.

First Crossing Reenactment, Sunday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Washington Crossing Historic Park, 1112 River Road, Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania, will host the first of its annual December crossing reenactments.

The event features a full day of activities and demonstrations highlighting 18th-century civilian and military life. The crossing is scheduled for 1 p.m., weather and river conditions permitting.

The reenactment recalls Washington’s daring Christmas night crossing of the Delaware River, the opening move in the Ten Crucial Days campaign that led to the victories at Trenton and Princeton. Tickets are required. For more information, visit washingtoncrossingpark.org.

Christmas Day Crossing Reenactment, Friday, Dec. 25, noon to 3 p.m.: Washington Crossing Historic Park, 1112 River Road, Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania, will hold its annual Christmas Day reenactment of Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River.

Several hundred reenactors in Continental military dress gather along the river, hear an address from Washington and, weather and river conditions permitting, row across the Delaware in replica Durham boats. The crossing is scheduled for 1 p.m.

The 2026 reenactment carries special significance because it falls during the 250th anniversary of the original crossing and the Ten Crucial Days campaign. For more information, visit washingtoncrossingpark.org.