COVINGTON, Ky. - He’s called by many different names: Santa Claus. St. Nick. Kris Kringle. The Big Man. Father Christmas. The Man in Red. Big Jolly. Or even, according to the website www.factmonster.com, Pere Noel (Belgium), Viejo Pascuero (Chile), Dun Che Lao Ren (China), Babbo Natale (Italy), Weihnachtsmann (Germany), Joulupukki (Finland), and our personal favorite, Ded Moroz (Russia).

 

 

Anyway, we know that the true meaning of Dec. 25 in most people’s minds lies elsewhere, but 1) by law we’re a secular institution, and 2) Santa Claus and all things “Christmasy” are the featured attraction in so many events in #LoveTheCov this weekend.

 

Check it out:  

If you live in Covington and can prove it, you get in free to Behringer-Crawford Museum in Devou Park on Saturday.

 

In addition to BCM’s usual exhibits, Covington Day will let you see the Holiday Toy Trains and its 250 feet of track, Dickens’ Village and hundreds of miniature ceramic buildings, and the three-room Wiley Wahoo’s Winter Wonderland animated exhibit. Info, HERE.

 

Meanwhile, just for the holiday season, Behringer-Crawford is expanding its hours. This Friday and next, it’ll stay open until 7:30 p.m. (2½ hours later than usual), and it’ll be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the next two Mondays (Dec. 24 and Dec. 31). It’s usually closed on Mondays.

 

The holiday exhibits will be on display until Jan. 13.

 

A visit from Santa is just one of the attractions at the kid-oriented Polar Express Day! on Friday at Totter’s Otterville.

 

There’s story time, crafts, festive treats, photos, movies, cookie decorating, a scavenger hunt etc. Info, HERE.

 

Don’t forget your pets. Santa will sit for pictures with Rover, Spike and Lil Bit at Braxton Brewing Co. on Friday evening during Santa Paws.

 

And for each Storm Cream Ale sold, Braxton will donate a dollar to Queen City Bulldog Rescue. Info, HERE.

 

Santa and ... cannoli? Why not?

 

It’s Del Gardo’s “Cannoli with Santa” night on Saturday at one of Covington’s new attractions. You can get a picture with Santa and any Italian pastry flavored with candy cane, chocolate chips, bourbon egg nog or other Christmas confections and concoctions.

 

Info, HERE.

 

Continuing that theme, there’s the “Forget the Cookie, Santa wants donuts” Breakfast with Santa on Sunday morning.

 

It’s at The Village Nutz and will include free donuts (for kids), free pictures and Zazou’s beverages (cash bar). Info, HERE.

 

And then there’s Pedal Wagon Covington’s “Deck the Wagon!”/Polar Bear Express, nightly, HERE ... TaeKwonDo w/ Crystal on Friday at Baoku’s Village, HERE ... Cocoa & Crafts for kids on Saturday at the Kenton County Public Library, HERE ... Santa Sightings at Hotel Covington on Saturday, HERE ... a Winter Onesie Party on Saturday at Bar 32, HERE ... another weekend of holiday storytime for kids at Behringer-Crawford Museum, on Sunday, HERE ... Whack’d Out Winterfest on Friday at Madison Live, HERE ... and Let’s Dance - A Gatsby Night at Octave on Friday, HERE.

 

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