The Weekend Ahead: Two Oktoberfests, a Halloween Playfest in West Windsor and Local Author Day in Princeton

Good morning, Mercer County. It is a two-Oktoberfest weekend: Palmer Square fills with beer, music and feats of strength on Saturday afternoon, and Hamilton holds its own at Veterans Park on Sunday. In between, the West Windsor library stages three original Halloween plays, Princeton Public Library hosts its Local Author Day, Kelsey Theatre opens a world-premiere comedy, and the Hightstown and Hopewell branches have family programs worth the trip.

Friday

• Midnight at the New Dawn, Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College, West Windsor, 8 p.m. A world-premiere ensemble comedy from Maurer Productions OnStage and Maurer TheaterWorks about relationships in the internet age. More performances Saturday and Sunday.
• A Beat of Our Own, McCarter Theatre's Matthews Theatre, Princeton, 7:30 p.m. Also Sunday at 2 p.m.
• Halloween Playfest 2026, Mercer County Library, West Windsor Branch, 8 p.m. Three original short plays written by librarian Michael Kerr, including "Dirty Trix" and "Miss DethBox." Repeats Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.
• Matinee Movie: Contact (1997), Mercer County Library, Hickory Corner Branch, East Windsor, 2 p.m.

Saturday

• Fall Bird Walk with Winnie Hughes Spar, Friends of Princeton Open Space, starting at Mountain Lakes House, Princeton, 8 a.m.
• Local Author Day: Author Fair, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, 10 a.m. Local writers of fiction, nonfiction and poetry sell and sign their books on the library's first floor.
• Drop-In Diwali Celebration Station, Mercer County Library, Hightstown Branch, 10 a.m. Crafts and snacks for kids, tweens and teens ages 5 and up.
• Author Visit, Read-Aloud and Craft, Mercer County Library, Hopewell Branch, 11 a.m. Young local author Audrey reads from her adventure novel The Lost Fire Key; best for ages 8 to 12.
• Princeton football vs. Brown, Princeton Stadium, noon.
• Triumph Princeton Oktoberfest, Palmer Square Green, 1 to 5 p.m. Beer and food, live music, children's activities and feats of strength.
• Four on the Floor: Alt Rock Music Fest, Arts Council of Princeton, 6 p.m.
• Trenton Masonic Temple 100 Year Gala, 100 Barrack Street, Trenton, 6 p.m. A ticketed centennial celebration for the historic temple.
• Princeton men's hockey vs. Maryville, Hobey Baker Rink, 7 p.m.

Sunday

• Hamilton Oktoberfest, Veterans Park South, 2206 Kuser Road, Hamilton, starting at 11 a.m.
• Guild for Early Music Annual Showcase, Princeton Public Library, 12:30 p.m. Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque music.
• Recipe Scrapbook for Habitat for Humanity, Mercer County Library, Lawrence Headquarters Branch, 2 p.m. A service project for volunteers.
• Matinee Movie: Bye Bye Birdie (1963), Mercer County Library, Hickory Corner Branch, East Windsor, 2 p.m.

All weekend

• Midnight at the New Dawn at Kelsey Theatre: Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.
• Halloween Playfest at the West Windsor Branch: Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.
• More library programs, from therapy-dog reading in Robbinsville to Chemistry Saturdays in Princeton, are on the Mercer County events calendar.

Around the county

• West Windsor: The Clarksville Road bridge is still closed. Plan on the detour if you are headed that way. Latest in the news feed.
• Hopewell Township: The township has posted notice of upcoming milling and paving at the municipal building, along with an upcoming Hopewell Valley COVID-19 booster clinic and help applying for property tax relief. See the notices.
• East Windsor: Milling and paving continues on several township roads; expect detours.
• Scam warning: Mercer County Sheriff Jack Kemler has warned residents about another jury-duty scam. Hang up on callers demanding payment over a missed jury summons.
• Hamilton: The township animal shelter is hiring part-time workers at $20 an hour, and Hamilton police are looking for volunteers to lead neighborhood watch groups.

Have an event for next weekend? Submit it here.