TRENTON, NJ — Trenton will host its annual Heritage Week from July 3 through July 8, featuring a packed schedule of historical reenactments, museum exhibits, walking tours and family events tied to the city's role in the American Revolution and the nation's 250th anniversary, according to event organizers.
The celebration is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Trenton and the City of Trenton Department of Recreation, Natural Resources & Culture, along with the Trenton UEZ.
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"There's no better place to experience our nation's history and celebrate our 250th anniversary than Mercer County," Mercer County Executive Dan Benson said. "I'm also excited about Trenton Heritage Week, July 3—July 8, which is a special celebration of the role that our Capital City played in shaping the American story."
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July 4 — Cultural Heritage Parade & Festival
The day's events kick off at 11:30 a.m. with a parade starting at City Hall, themed "E Pluribus Unum" — "Out of Many, One." A ceremony follows at 12:30 p.m. at the Trenton Battle Monument. The Democracy Reborn Multicultural Festival runs from noon to 6 p.m. at Mill Hill Park, and the Old Barracks Museum will reopen from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. following what Benson described as a year-long restoration project. The day wraps up with a Trenton Thunder baseball game and fireworks at 6 p.m.
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July 5
Events include a New Jersey State Museum exhibit on revolutionary stories from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., an "America's Potluck" event at the Old Barracks Museum from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., an ecumenical service at St. Michael's Episcopal Church at 2 p.m., a Heritage Churches of Trenton walking tour at 3 p.m., and a 4 p.m. reading of Frederick Douglass' 1852 speech "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" with period songs at the William Trent House.
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July 6
The New Jersey State House will offer free tours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with reservations required, and the New Jersey State Library will host a "Living Documents, Evolving Rights 1776-2026" exhibit from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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July 8 — 250th Annual Proclamation of the Declaration of Independence
The week culminates at noon with a reading of the Declaration of Independence at 23 South Warren Street, held at the same time and location as Trenton's first public reading 250 years ago. The day continues with History Fest250 on Warren Street at 1 p.m., a walking tour of historic downtown Trenton at 3 p.m., and an international proclamation reading at 6 p.m. followed by a colonial concert from The Blawenburg Band.
Benson pointed to the county's broader America 250 initiative as well, noting the county launched a website earlier this year listing events, historic sites and other ways to mark the anniversary across Mercer County.
A full schedule and dining guide are available at trentonnj.org/832/Trenton-Heritage-Week.
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