Princeton Campus Offers Free Music, Talks, and Books

From free concerts to thought-provoking panels, Princeton University has a packed calendar of events open to the public.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Princeton University is offering a wealth of free and public events on its campus this week, including musical performances, panel discussions on America's 250th anniversary, and author talks with free book giveaways. The lineup features a range of educational and entertaining programming across the arts, humanities, and social sciences.

Why it matters

Despite budget cuts, Princeton is maintaining its commitment to the free exchange of ideas and making its resources accessible to the broader community. These events showcase the university's role as a hub of intellectual discourse and cultural enrichment, providing opportunities for the public to engage with renowned scholars and artists.

The details

The event lineup includes two free musical performances on Friday, February 20th - a concert by the Princeton University Sinfonia orchestra and an all-Bach organ recital. On Tuesday, February 17th, a panel of Princeton faculty will explore themes of democratic resilience, constitutional change, and the struggles over rights and inclusion in America's 250-year history. The following day, authors Tressie McMillan Cottom and Kate Manne will discuss feminism, gender, race, and culture in a free public event where the first 150 attendees will receive copies of the authors' books.

  • On Tuesday, February 17th at 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Princeton is hosting panel discussions on America's 250th anniversary.
  • On Wednesday, February 18th at 5 p.m., authors Tressie McMillan Cottom and Kate Manne will appear for a free public event.
  • On Friday, February 20th, Princeton is offering free musical performances at noon and 7:30 p.m.

The players

Mark Milley

Retired United States Army general, 20th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and now visiting professor and visiting lecturer at Princeton.

Nolan McCarty

Professor of Politics and Public Affairs at Princeton.

Khalil G. Muhammad

Professor of African American Studies and Public Affairs at Princeton.

Deborah Pearlstein

Director of the Program in Law and Public Policy and visiting professor in Law and Public Affairs at Princeton.

Julian Zelizer

Professor of History and Public Affairs at Princeton.

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What they’re saying

“As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, join us for an expert panel discussion examining how the nation has repeatedly reinvented itself — and what those moments of transformation can teach us today.”

— Amaney Jamal, Dean and professor of Politics and International Affairs (Princeton University)

“Through dialogue with scholars, activists, and community members, the series examines how narratives of the past shape our understanding of the present and inform ongoing struggles for justice and equity.”

— Khalil Gibran Muhammad, Professor of African American Studies and Public Affairs (Princeton University)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Despite budget constraints, Princeton University remains committed to providing free public access to a wide range of educational and cultural programming, underscoring its role as a hub of intellectual discourse and community engagement.