Holiday Festivities Beyond the Stage at McCarter Theatre
Reported Thursday, December 12, 2024.
Pictured Above: A Christmas Carol. Photo Credit:T. Charles Erickson.
Newsroom Post: PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY
McCarter Theatre fills its lobby with caroling, holiday décor, fresh-baked frosted cookies, hot chocolate, last-minute gifts, wintry craft cocktails, family photo opportunites and more!
Princeton, NJ – Starting December 10, McCarter Theatre Center welcomes audiences back to embrace the magic of the holiday season with its beloved annual production of A Christmas Carol. Featuring Joel McKinnon Miller in the iconic role of Ebenezer Scrooge, McCarter’s celebratory, live stage rendition of Dickens’ timeless tale of redemption, adapted and directed by Lauren Keating, runs from December 10–29.
The festivities extend beyond the stage as McCarter’s lobbies transforms with caroling, holiday décor, fresh-baked frosted cookies, hot chocolate, last-minute gifts, and wintry craft cocktails. Guests can discover the Trees of Giving, enjoy caroling by local choirs on select dates, enjoy seasonal beverages like the Mistletoe Margarita or Fezziwig Fizz, take family photos, and more. The experience offers the perfect setting for creating cherished memories with loved ones.
Caroling Schedule:
Arrive early to enjoy the sounds of talented local choirs, setting a joyful tone for select performances. Caroling performances begin 45 minutes before curtain.
-Friday, December 13, 2024: Stuart Country Day School
-Saturday, December 14, 2024 (5:30 PM): Allentown High School
-Wednesday, December 18, 2024: Princeton Girlchoir
-Friday, December 20, 2024: Princeton Boychoir
Holiday Giving: Partnering with Local Nonprofits
McCarter is proud to collaborate with long-standing nonprofit partners to inspire generosity this holiday season. These partnerships provide opportunities for spontaneous acts of kindness and generous giving, inspired by the transformed Ebenezer Scrooge. Donations support vital community services, including:
-HomeFront: Helping end homelessness in Central New Jersey by providing housing and resources to families in need.
-Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK): Offering meals, educational programs, and workforce training to enhance self-sufficiency.
-The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey (CHSofNJ): Supporting child welfare, maternal health, and education across the community.
-Mercer Street Friends: Operating Mercer County’s Food Bank and offering family services to transform lives.
-Stage Door Access. Gifts to this program support McCarter’s Stage Door Access initiative, providing free and discounted tickets to community members facing socioeconomic barriers. Together, we can ensure that everyone has access to the magic of the performing arts.
“We hope everyone can join us to celebrate the season with music, community, and giving at McCarter Theatre,” says McCarter Executive Director Martin Miller.
To purchase tickets, visit www.mccarter.org or call the box office at 609-258-2787 Tuesday to Saturday from 12pm to 6 pm. Tickets for A Christmas Carol are in high demand, and performances sell out quickly, so don’t delay! Each audience member, regardless of age, requires a ticket.
Accessibility Options
McCarter Theatre Center is committed to making performances accessible for all patrons. For accommodations, contact Patron Services at 609-258-2787 or visit the McCarter website for more details.
-American Sign Language-Interpreted Performance: December 21 at 1:00 PM
–Audio Described and Open Captioned Performance: December 22 at 1:00 PM
–Relaxed Performance: December 29 at 1:00 PM. Modifications include softer lighting and sound to create a welcoming environment for those with sensory sensitivities.
About McCarter Theatre Center
McCarter is one of the country’s flagship theaters and a vibrant center for community and the performing arts. Located on the campus of Princeton University, the company is an independent nonprofit, serving as a nationally renowned, multi-disciplinary creative hub for arts and ideas, offering theatre, music, dance, spoken word, and educational programs for all ages. A two-time Tony Award winner, McCarter’s legacy of artistic excellence dates back to the theatre’s first performances in 1930. Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, Kaufmann & Hart’s You Can’t Take It with You, and William Inge’s Bus Stop all had their premieres on the McCarter stage, paving the way for a long history of collaborations with playwrights to launch remarkable works that have gone on to tens of thousands of performances, reaching millions of audience members around the world. The company is equally revered for presenting global artists on its stages, including Alvin Ailey, Yo-Yo Ma, Samara Joy, Hasan Minhaj, Jon Stewart, Caetano Veloso, Rhiannon Giddens, Patti Smith, Esperanza Spalding, Lake Street Dive, and Herbie Hancock, among many others. Of the 100,000 community members who directly participate in the company’s work every year, more than 5,000 are students taking part in McCarter’s robust educational offerings in Princeton, Trenton, and schools throughout the region. McCarter leads with values of “justice and joy, and beauty in belonging,” creating stories and experiences that enliven minds, expand imaginations, and engage communities.