Free events in Princeton, NJ

A farmers market takes place inside the Newark Strong Lobby at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children's Hospital of New Jersey. The indoor location provides a convenient setting to browse the market’s offerings.

Some veterans pass without family by their side, with no familiar faces to speak their name. American Legion Post 210 meets at Washington Crossing Cemetery to ensure their service is honored and not forgotten. The observance is quiet and respectful, offering final honors and a heartfelt thank you on behalf of the community and the nation. There are no speeches or large crowds, just a solemn commitment kept. Every veteran matters, their sacrifice is remembered, and no one who wore the uniform is left alone at the end.

Weekly Thursday yoga sessions at Whitman Library are free and feature alternating instruction from Janet Faulls and Anne-Marie Mulgrew. The class suits every experience level, including beginners. Participants may bring a mat or use one available on site. It is offered on a drop-in basis with no advance registration required. These ongoing classes are sponsored by The Friends of Whitman Library.

Cruise nights at the Spinning Wheel Diner feature cars, trucks, and bikes alongside food. Showing a vehicle and attending are both free.

Spend an evening entirely devoted to bachata at a free social where you can practice the moves you learned during the week. The night begins with Level 1 and Level 2 bachata classes, then shifts into open dancing. The social is free to attend, and walk-in pricing for each class is $15. Registration is available for one or both classes, which are designed to complement each other. Welcoming to beginners through advanced dancers. Music is provided by JDABACHATA and DJ Carliita, and free parking is available.

Pack a blanket and a snack for a relaxed storytime at Clark Park in Philadelphia, set up near the playground with stories, songs, and bubbles. If rain arrives, activities move to Walnut Street West Library, and day-of updates will be posted on social media. Open to all ages.

Celebrate Halloween at Roosevelt Mall with a family-friendly trick-or-treat event. Guests of all ages can stroll through the mall and collect candy from participating businesses, including Bath & Body Works, Insomnia Cookies, Panda Express, and Wendy’s. Costumes are encouraged, and Oak Street Health will participate for a limited portion of the event.

An annual Día de Muertos parade and celebration features a giant skeleton puppet procession that concludes at the Riverview Park gazebo. A community Ofrenda will be set up in the gazebo to honor lost loved ones. More details will be announced.

This Free First Sunday Family Day spotlights Cambodian heritage and how traditions are shared across generations. KPAC Khmer Performing Arts and Culture, led by founder and artistic director Lisa Koung, presents classical and folk dance that reflects a dedication to sustaining Cambodian culture through traditional dance, music, and the Khmer language. Music, movement, and traditional attire come together in a vivid expression of Khmer identity, resilience, and cultural connection. Families can also enjoy hands-on art making, a family scavenger hunt, and storytime hosted by Leslie D. Hamilton. Art activities and storytelling are suitable for ages 2 and up. Complimentary access is offered to the Barnes collection as well as the exhibition Noguchi to Asawa: Designing Postwar America. Admission is free with registration required. PECO supports Free First Sunday Family Day.

PECO First Sunday Family Day at the Barnes Foundation features Cambodian classical and folk dance performed by Khmer Performing Arts and Culture (KPAC) and Cambodian American Heritage Inc (CAHI). The program showcases Khmer music, dance, and traditional instruments. Admission is free, but space is limited. Registration will be available for a brief window.

El Día de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is honored with a free, family-friendly festival at Princeton Shopping Center, continuing an Arts Council tradition that spans more than 20 years. Observed in Mexico and in communities around the world in early November, the holiday offers a time to remember loved ones who have passed, with customs that include parades and private altars adorned with sugar skulls, marigolds, and favorite foods. This celebration features crafts inspired by traditional Mexican folk art, sugar skull decorating, live music from a mariachi band, and the creation of a community altar. Sponsored by Princeton Shopping Center.

At Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church in Plainfield, NJ, NJIO presents a fall program inspired by happy memories, inviting listeners to reconnect with cherished moments through music. The performance features Concerto Competition winner and violinist Claire Chaewon Lee as soloist in Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto. The concert is free to attend, with a relaxed atmosphere that welcomes all ages. Tickets are not required and seating is open. A complimentary livestream will be available for those who prefer to watch from home. Support for this event comes from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, The Plainfield Foundation, Elefante Music as sponsor of the 2026 Young Artist Concerto Competition, and season sponsors including the Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation, The Henry S. and Agnes M. Truzack Foundation, the Standish Foundation, and many other generous supporters. NJIO is a participating organization in the Families First Discovery Pass Program, a program of the New Jersey Departments of Health and Human Services.

Children ages 2 and older can take part in a free creative movement class led by Miss Sabrina at the Santore Library.

The Food Pantry at Grace hosts a weekly food distribution. To receive food, you must be at least 18 years old or accompanied by an adult, live in the 19134 area code, and provide proof of residency. Each household may receive one bag. Bringing your own bags to carry the food is recommended.

Learn about proton therapy and how it is used in radiation treatment during a free Welcome Wednesday information session from ProCure Proton Therapy Center. The session is led by ProCure's Manager of Clinical Partnerships and Education and helps attendees explore whether proton therapy may be an option for them or someone they care about.

Cosmic Jerry Band keeps the Cosmic Wednesdays vibe going at Cooper's Riverview on the Delaware River in Mercer County, NJ. Enjoy lively jams, scenic river views, and food and drinks. Admission and parking are free, and all ages are welcome. Groups of two or more are encouraged to reserve a table by calling 609-393-7300.

Presented by Phil Gammge, The Dust Bowl Choir brings a single set to Ethyl's alcohol & food in uptown Manhattan. The performance focuses on blues, old school country, and murder ballads. There is no cover charge, and the setting offers food, drinks, and a lively atmosphere.

Enjoy a night of salsa and bachata music with DJ Carliita and JdaBachata. The program includes a Salsa On 1 class, a Sensual Bachata class led by certified instructors Daniel and Desiree, and social dancing. Entry is free, with mixed drink specials available.