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Fourth of July Festival

Saturday, July 4 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

It’s the 250th anniversary of the Fourth of July! Come celebrate community, reflect on America’s past, and envision what’s next at Morven, the home of a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and the Princeton Battlefield State Park, the site of a pivotal battle of the American Revolution. Activities at both sites are free and open to the public.

Activities at both sites are free and open to the public. All ages welcome! Pre-register to let us know you’re coming.

Fourth of July at Morven

55 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ 08540

Share in community and history at Morven Museum & Garden’s annual Fourth of July Festival, featuring:

• A dramatic reading of Frederick Douglass’ 1852 speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” with award-winning poet David Mills
• The museum open free of charge during the festival, including two new special exhibitions: Five Independent Souls: The Signers from New Jersey, and Northern Family, Southern Ties
• Contemporary music from the Vintage Vibe Tribe and period music with John Burkhalter of the Practitioners of Musick
• Activities with community partners: Princeton Public Library, Princeton YWCA, Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum, Not In Our Town Princeton, and People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos
• Open archives with the Historical Society of Princeton
• Facepainting with Maya B. The Facepaint Fairy
• Civic Education Station artmaking and crafts
• Tours of Morven’s historic gardens
• A chance to sign the Declaration of Independence
• Food trucks, lawn games, and door prizes!

250th Anniversary Independence Day Celebration at Princeton Battlefield

500 Mercer Rd, Princeton, NJ 08540

Join the Princeton Battlefield State Park for an afternoon of activities celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Featured activities include:

• Readings of the Declaration of Independence at 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
• Learn to drill in the Continental Army
• Witness a musket firing demonstration
• Practice 18th-century crafts
• Cooking demonstrations and tours of the Clarke House

This program is offered for the third year in a row as part of Civic Season. Learn more and share your own civic story by visiting: https://www.thecivicseason.com/. 

The 2026 Fourth of July Festival is made possible through the generous support of our Lead Sponsor Fulton Bank.