Holiday Traditions @ BCM

Three decades of Christmas customs and family fun resume at Behringer-Crawford Museum on Saturday, November 13 with the opening of 2021 Holiday Traditions@BCM, sponsored by Central Bank, featuring the museum’s beloved Holiday Toy Trains.

Eight O-gauge Lionel model trains will circle 250 feet of track, passing miniature cities, farms and snow-covered fields. Thirty moving displays will allow guests to activate landmarks along the way, including a bus station, fast food restaurant, drive-through car wash and a firehouse with a firefighter sliding down a pole, plus an animated carnival with whirling rides and sideshow barkers. Over the course of the holidays, the trains will travel a distance equal to a trip from the museum to Disney World and back.

Also on display will be intricate LEGO creations designed by members of OKILUG (the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana LEGO User’s Group), a non-profit organization dedicated to collecting and constructing sculptures, buildings, creatures and other imaginative items with the tiny, multicolored plastic bricks. Highlights include the LEGO Holiday Village with a Lego locomotive layout, and a “Maker’s Space,” where children can assemble their own LEGO creations.

Holiday Traditions@BCM runs from November 13 to January 9, 2022. Regular museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. The museum will be closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.  It will be open for special holiday hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays December 20 and 27. Admission is free for BCM members and children under age 3; $9 adults; $8 seniors 60+; $5 children ages 3-17. Wednesdays are Grandparents Days: one grandchild admitted free with each paying grandparent.

The holiday spirit continues throughout Behringer-Crawford Museum with more seasonal exhibits and special events, including:

Tuesday, November 16, 10:30-11:30 a.m.: Tot Tuesdays! Thanksgiving

Preschoolers and their parents get an early start on Turkey Day with stories, craft and treats. Offered live at BCM and virtually on Zoom. Free for BCM members. For non-members, the live session is included with admission or $5 per household for Zoom.  $1 craft fee per child. Register at least seven days in advance at 859-491-4003.

Thursday, November 18: Chippie’s Sensational Science Labs: Let’s “Tech” Turkey

Chippie, BCM’s chipmunk mascot, introduces Thanksgiving-themed science to children ages 3-5 in this fun and educational monthly series, which incorporates S.T.E.A.M. elements and age-appropriate experiments. Offered live at BCM and virtually on Zoom. Free for BCM members. For non-members, the live session is included with admission or $5 per household for Zoom.  $3 lab fee per child. Register at least seven days in advance at 859-491-4003.

 Saturday, November 27, 2 p.m.: Concert – Hills of Kentucky Dulcimers

The popular group will perform seasonal music on the Appalachian, or mountain, dulcimer (Kentucky’s state instrument since 2002) and other traditional mountain instruments.  Included with museum admission.

 Sunday, December 5, 2 p.m.: NKU SOTA Dance Prep Troupe

Dancers from the NKU School of the Arts in a holiday-inspired performance. Included with museum admission.

Thursday, December 16: Chippie’s Sensational Science Labs: Catching the Gingerbread Man

“Run! Run! As fast as you can! But you can’t catch me. I’m the Gingerbread Man!” Chippie, BCM’s chipmunk mascot, gives chase to the tasty treat as he introduces holiday-themed science to children ages 3-5. Offered live at BCM and virtually on Zoom. Free for BCM members. For non-members, the live session is included with admission or $5 per household for Zoom. $3 lab fee per child. Register at least seven days in advance at 859-491-4003.

Tuesday, December 21, 10:30-11:30 a.m.: Tot Tuesdays! – Bah Humbug!

A humorous Christmas celebration for toddlers, with crafts, songs and snacks. Offered live at BCM and virtually on Zoom. Free for BCM members. For non-members, the live session is included with admission or $5 per household for Zoom. $1 craft fee per child. Reserve a spot for your tot and yourself at least seven days in advance at 859-491-4003.

Additional events are in the works. Check the website at www.bcmuseum.org in November for information about crafting workshops and more!

Behringer-Crawford Museum is supported in part by our members; the City of Covington, Kenton County Fiscal Court, ArtsWave, Kentucky Arts Council, Kentucky Humanities, Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame and The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation.