Holly Jolly Days returns to Behringer-Crawford Museum Nov. 14 through Jan. 10 pairing the 35th annual Holiday Toy Trains with two new reasons to bring the family.
First, follow two furry friends on animated adventures around town in “The Holiday Adventures of Wiley Wahoo & Me!”, based on local author Diana Grady’s children’s book. Then, take a closer look at “Think Small: Anything Can Be a Miniature,” where Robert Haven transforms everyday objects into remarkably detailed miniature spaces. His creations include holiday-decorated rooms, conservatories, a French flower shop and a theatrical set.
35 Years of Holiday Toy Trains
For generations of Northern Kentucky families, a visit to BCM’s Holiday Toy Trains has been a holiday tradition.
Celebrating its 35th annual run, the display features eight O-gauge Lionel model trains traveling along 250 feet of track, with more than 30 moving, guest-operated accessories.
The familiar miniature carnival is back, too, bustling with bumper cars, spinning teacups, hot air balloons, a lively band and more. Visitors can push buttons to set scenes in motion, follow their favorite train around the layout and discover something new with every pass.
A Holiday Adventure with Wiley Wahoo
A lights festival, a performance of The Nutcracker, a Reindog Parade and a holiday train exhibit are all stops along the way for two canine companions in “The Holiday Adventures of Wiley Wahoo & Me!”
Inspired by Diana Grady’s children’s book, the animated display brings the characters’ holiday outings to life among miniature Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky landmarks. Families can follow their adventures and look for familiar places along the way.
The dog-themed fun continues during scheduled Dog Days of Winter programs, featuring visits from K-9 guests, including Boone the Bluetick Coonhound, mayor of Rabbit Hash.
Tiny Rooms, Extraordinary Details
How does a lantern, jewelry box or drawer become a room you wish you could step inside? Robert Haven’s “Think Small: Anything Can Be a Miniature” invites visitors to see everyday objects in a whole new way.
Haven’s miniature rooms are filled with carefully made furnishings, flowers, artwork and details that reward a closer look. Holiday-decorated rooms include conservatories, a French flower shop, a theatrical set and other imaginative spaces. Stop by the tiny art gallery and see how many paintings you can name.
Meet Haven during “Small Talk: Meet the Miniature Maker” or try creating something small of your own during scheduled Make & Take Miniatures programs.
Regular museum hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday. Special extended hours are 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21, and Monday, Dec. 28. The museum will be closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors ages 60 and older, and $5 for children ages 3–17. BCM members and children younger than 3 are admitted free. Wednesdays are Grandparents Days, with one grandchild admitted free with each paying grandparent.
Holly Jolly Days are sponsored in part by Devou Good Foundation, Kentucky Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet and Pine Meer Foundation.
Behringer-Crawford Museum is located at 1600 Montague Road in Devou Park, Covington, KY 41011. For more information or to register for programs, call 859-491-4003 or visit bcmuseum.org.
Behringer-Crawford Museum is supported in part by its members, the City of Covington, Kenton County Fiscal Court, ArtsWave, the Kentucky Arts Council and the Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame.
Make plans for a return visit with a season of puppet shows, music, crafts, day camps and special guests:
Saturday, Nov. 14: Opening of Holly Jolly Days
Explore all three seasonal exhibits. BCM will also host Salute Our Heroes from 1–3 p.m., honoring local veterans and sharing their stories. All veterans receive free museum admission.
Dog Days of Winter
Nov. 21; Dec. 5, 12, 19 and 28; and Jan. 9: Meet special K-9 guests, including Boone the Bluetick Coonhound, mayor of Rabbit Hash. Visit bcmuseum.org for times and guest schedules. Included with museum admission, but reservations are requested.
Elf Expeditions Day Camps
Nov. 27; Dec. 22, 23, 29 and 30, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.: Holiday fun for children in kindergarten through third grade, with time for grown-ups to tackle their holiday to-do lists. Preregistration is required. Cost: $60/child for members and $85/child for nonmembers.
Hills of Kentucky Dulcimers Performances
Nov. 28 and Dec. 19, 2–3 p.m.: Enjoy seasonal music performed on traditional mountain instruments. Included with museum admission.
NKY History Hour: “Milk Goes to Market” with Charles Bogart
Dec. 1, 6:30 p.m. | Virtual on Zoom & Facebook Live: Explore the history of getting milk to market and the railroads that made it possible in an hour of free history at home. Register online at us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register
Make & Take Miniatures
Holiday Wreaths Dec. 5, 1 p.m.
Holiday Bushes, Dec. 26, 1 p.m.
Create a miniature of your own with miniature maker Robert Haven. For ages 8 and older. Reservations are required. Included with museum admission.
Chippie’s Sensational Kids Club: Snowy Friends
Dec. 10, 11 a.m.: Preschoolers are invited to dash, craft, and play their way through festive holiday fun while learning about seasonal friends. $3 materials fee /child plus museum admission. Registration is required at least five days in advance at 859-491-4003.
NKYYC Holly Jolly Carolers
Dec. 12, 2 p.m.: The NKY Youth Choir Carolers go caroling through all areas of the museum, with “Trolley Song,” “Count Your Blessings” from White Christmas, “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” by Haven Gillespie, who grew up in Covington and other holiday songs. Included with museum admission.
Polar Express Reading & Crafts
Dec. 13 and 20, 2 p.m.; Dec. 22 and 23, 11 a.m.: Gather for a reading of the holiday favorite and a craft to take home. Mr. and Mrs. Claus will also stop by during select sessions. Included with museum admission, but reservations are requested.
NKY History Hour: “Anything Can Be a Miniature” with Robert Haven
Dec. 15, 6:30 p.m. | Virtual on Zoom & Facebook Live
Hear from the artist behind “Think Small” in an hour of free history at home. Register online at: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register
Small Talk: Meet the Miniature Maker with Robert Haven
Dec. 17, 1 p.m.: Meet Haven and learn about the imagination and work behind his miniature creations. Included with museum admission.
Holiday Storytime & Crafts
Dec. 21, 26 and 28, 11 a.m.: Listen to a holiday story and make a craft to take home. Included with museum admission, but reservations are requested.
“The Hungry, Holiday Bookworm” Puppet Show
Dec. 21, 2–3 p.m.: A bookworm is eating the stories right out of the books! Join Dylan Shelton of River City Puppets for a holiday puppet show. Included with museum admission.
“Lou, the Baby Dinosaur” Puppet Show
Dec. 28, 2–3 p.m.: Dylan Shelton of River City Puppets returns with a family-friendly adventure following Buddy and Lou, a baby dinosaur, through animal tales celebrating courage and friendship. Included with museum admission.
Chippie’s New Year’s Eve Party
Dec. 30, 11 a.m.: Ring in the new year with art, crafts and more in this educational program for preschoolers and their caregivers. $3 materials fee /child plus museum admission. Registration required at least five days in advance at 859-491-4003.
Cincinnati Recorder Consort Performance
Jan. 9, 11 a.m.: Delight in the pop and party music of days gone by — when princesses, dukes and jesters ruled the dance floor. Included with museum admission.
• Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be stopping by on December 20, 22 & 23—and maybe a few other surprise visits, too.
For more information about Holly Jolly Days events, program fees or registration, visit bcmuseum.org or call 859-491-4003.
Behringer-Crawford Museum