Rekindle memories and make new ones with the magic and merriment of the iconic 1954 film “White Christmas” at the Behringer-Crawford Museum this holiday season.
Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” Exhibit opens Nov. 12, with costumes worn by Kentucky legend Rosemary Clooney, Bing Crosby, Vera-Ellen, and Danny Kaye, among other stars. Studio props, sheet music, cast members’ personal memorabilia, and more will be on display.
“White Christmas” tells the story of two WWII veterans who team up with a singing sister duo to save a faltering Vermont lodge. The musical features dancing and singing in extravagant costumes, such as the blue “Sisters” dresses and red Santa attire, which will be on display at the museum.
The exhibit is part of the Behringer-Crawford Museum’s “Holly Jolly Days,” a celebration of family-centered attractions from Nov. 12 through Jan. 8, which includes the Holiday Toy Trains, an interactive LEGO play space, and a “Winter Wonderland” area located in Nature Play.
Regular museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The museum will be closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve and day.
It will be open for special holiday hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 26, and Jan. 2.
Admission is free for Behringer-Crawford Museum members and children under age 3; $9 for adults; $8 for seniors ages 60-plus; $5 for children ages 3-17.
Wednesdays are Grandparents Days. One grandchild is admitted free with each paying grandparent.
The holiday spirit continues throughout the Behringer-Crawford Museum with more seasonal exhibits, including:
- Saturday, Nov. 12: Opening of “Holly Jolly Days”
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Family Fun Days Enjoy seasonal crafts for children. Included with museum admission.
2 p.m.: White Christmas Gallery Tour: Join Rosemary Clooney House museum owner and former Miss America, Heather French Henry on a guided tour through Irving Berlin’s White Christmas exhibit.
- Sunday, Nov. 13: History of the Bengals Book Signing
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Local author Rick Pender will be signing copies of his book “The Cincinnati Bengals, An Illustrated Timeline.”
- Tuesday, Nov. 15: Chippie’s Kids Club: Thanksgiving Friends
11 a.m. to noon: Preschoolers and their parents get an early start on turkey day with stories, crafts, and experiments. $3 materials fee per child plus museum admission. Registration is required at least three days in advance at 859-491-4003.
- Wednesday, Nov. 16: NKY History Hour with Heather French Henry
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.: Join Henry as she explores the “White Christmas” exhibit. To register and participate in the free virtual presentation by Behringer-Crawford Museum, click here.
- Friday, Nov. 18: S’mores and More
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.: Join the museum for s’more-making and other family activities in “Winter Wonderland.”
- Saturday, Nov. 19: Behringer’s Bazaar Holiday Market
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Northern Kentucky vendors will be selling a variety of handmade gifts made by local artisans including artwork, vintage items, ornaments, greeting cards, jewelry, crocheted accessories, fine soaps, and more.
- Wednesday, Nov. 23: Family Fun Days
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Enjoy seasonal crafts for children.
- Saturday, Nov. 26
11 a.m. to noon: White Christmas the Movie Collection, “Cincinnati Scavenger” the book and the Hunt for Local Clues with Kathy Witt: Take a scavenger hunt based on Cincinnati’s connections to “White Christmas.” Then, tour Behringer-Crawford Museum’s Holly Jolly Days exhibits. Autographed copies of “Cincinnati Scavenger” and a branded bookmark will be available for purchase.
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.: Hills of Kentucky Dulcimers Performance: The group will perform seasonal music on the Appalachian dulcimer and other traditional mountain instruments.
- Wednesday, Nov. 30: NKY History Hour with Rick Pender
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.: Join local author Rick Pender as he highlights some of Northern Kentucky’s oldest things, achievements, and pride from his book “Oldest Cincinnati.” To register and participate in the free virtual presentation by Behringer-Crawford Museum, click here.
- Saturday, Dec. 3:
11 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Family Fun Days. Make a “Frosty” hat centerpiece the whole family will enjoy. Included with museum admission. Reservations are required at (859) 491-4003.
1 p.m.: “White Christmas” gallery tour. Enjoy a guided tour through the “White Christmas” exhibit led by a museum staff member.
- Saturday, Dec. 10:
1 p.m.: “White Christmas” Gallery Tour: Join Heather French Henry on a guided tour through the “White Christmas” exhibit.
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.: “Before Your Very Eyes” magic show. Join certified hypnotherapist and master magician Ron Diamond for an evening of illusion at the Reidlin-Schott Community Room at the Kenton County Administration Building. Tickets and registration are required at (859) 491-4003.
Friday, Dec. 16: S’mores and More
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.: Join the museum for s’more-making, children’s books readings, a dance performance by PONES and other family activities in “Winter Wonderland.”
- Saturday, Dec. 17: Family Fun Days
11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Enjoy seasonal crafts for children.
- Wednesday, Dec. 21
11 a.m.-12 p.m.: Chippie’s Kids Club Winter Wonderland. Preschoolers and their parents will participate in frosty and festive stories, crafts and experiments. $3 materials fee per child plus museum admission. Register at least three days in advance at 859-491-4003.
2 p.m. to 3 p.m.: “Polar Express” reading and craft: Enjoy a reading of the holiday classic by local librarians.
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.: S’mores and More. Join the museum for s’more-making and other family activities in “Winter Wonderland.”
- Thursday, Dec. 22
11 a.m. to noon: “Polar Express” reading and craft. Enjoy a reading of the holiday classic by local librarians.
2 p.m. to 3 p.m.: “Gingerbread Jamboree” puppet show. Join puppeteer Dylan Shelton for a holiday puppet show the whole family will enjoy.
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.: S’mores and More. Join the museum for s’more-making and other family activities in “Winter Wonderland.”
- Friday, Dec. 23, “Polar Express” reading and crafts
11 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Enjoy a reading of the holiday classic by local librarians.
- Tuesday, Dec. 27, PONES Dance Performance
1:30-2:30 p.m.: Using its signature ‘pedestrian-inspired’ movement, PONES will spark collaboration, connection, and community through dance.
- Wednesday, Dec. 28, Young Professionals Holiday Mingle and Jingle in “Winter Wonderland”
5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Young professionals of all ages can mingle and jingle with holiday-themed entertainment in Nature Play featuring Behringer-Crawford Museums’ “Winter Wonderland” lights, music, and s’more-making by campfire.
- Thursday, Dec. 29, Chippie’s New Year’s Eve Party (Pre-K and Kindergarten)
11 a.m. to noon: Ring in the new year with art, crafts and more in this educational program for preschoolers and their caregivers. $3 materials fee per child plus museum admission. Register at least three days in advance at 859-491-4003.
- Friday, Dec. 30, Chippie’s New Year’s Eve Party (First-Fifth)
11 a.m. to noon: Ring in the new year with art, crafts and more in this educational program for children in grades first through fifth. $3 materials fee per child plus museum admission. Register at least three days in advance at 859-491-4003.
- Monday, Jan. 2, “Holly Jolly Days” Open for Special Holiday Hours
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.