9 Holiday House Tours to Check Out This Winter

PHOTO FROM PITTSBURGH MAGAZINE ARCHIVES

‘Tis the season for gingerbread houses, but Pittsburghers will also have the chance to check out some real homes this holiday season, too.

Here are some community house tours happening around Pittsburgh this winter. 

Holiday Opera House Tour with Pittsburgh Festival Opera
6101 Fifth Ave., Shadyside | Nov. 19-21
Scott Cavanaugh and Ron Graham, who co-own and manage an interior design business Windo Van Go, will open their Fifth Avenue home for a series of tours on Nov. 20-21. Their creatively decorated home features eight curated rooms designed to appeal to opera lovers and fans of the festive season alike. A kick-off party will take place at the home from 6-9 p.m. on Nov. 19. Tours will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Nov. 20 and 6-9 p.m. on Nov. 21. For tickets, visit Pittsburgh Festival Opera’s website.

2026 Symphony Splendor Holiday House Tour
Gibsonia and surrounding areas | Nov. 21
From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 21, numerous homes around Gibsonia will be open to passersby as part of a fundraiser benefitting the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. On a self-guided tour, attendees will visit festively decorated homes around the North Hills. There will also be classical performances at each stop, as well as a nearby vendor boutique, where folks can shop for holiday gifts. Tickets must be purchased in advance, and you must show your program book, picked up at check-in, to enter each home. 

Old Allegheny Victorian Christmas House Tour
Allegheny West | Dec. 4-5
On this docent-led tour, folks can visit at least six restored Victorian homes in the historic Allegheny West neighborhood, as well as the Calvary United Methodist Church, famous for its Louis Tiffany stained-glass windows. All homes will be decorated in the style of a classic 19th-century Christmas. Tickets can be purchased online.

Norwin Home for the Holidays Tour
Multiple locations | Dec. 5
The Norwin Historical Society is presenting its annual holiday-themed house tour on Dec. 5, featuring homes in Irwin, North Irwin and North Huntington. Tickets, both general admission and the VIP package (which includes transportation) must be purchased online ahead of time.

Beaver Cookie Tour & Holiday House Tour
Downtown Beaver | Dec. 5
Stroll through Downtown Beaver and visit participating businesses to sample homemade cookies at each stop. A range of historic homes will be decorated for the holiday season, showcasing the town’s architecture, holiday decor and timeless charm. All proceeds benefit Saints Peter and Paul School, helping to support local education. Tickets can be purchased online.

2026 Oakmont Christmas Home Tour
Various Locations | Dec. 12
The Christmas Home Tour is a once-a-year fundraiser that supports Oakmont’s Chamber of Commerce. Open homes will showcase a variety of decorative holiday styles; you can also visit the decked-out Oakmont Country Club, shop for sweets at Oakmont Bakery and check out a holiday market reception at Amanda Lee Glassware. Tickets can be purchased online.

Crafton Holiday House Tour
Multiple Locations | Dec. 6
Seven decorated homes throughout Crafton are on this self-guided tour, which supports community programming in the neighborhood. Visitors will also be able to stop into local businesses to shop for holiday gifts. Tickets can be purchased online or in person at the Crafton Public Library, Fig Tree Coffee or the Crafton Borough Administrative Offices.

33rd Annual Zelienople House Tour
Main Street | Dec. 12
This tour not only takes you through a series of decorated Butler County homes, but it also comes with lunch. You can grab a ticket at the Passavant House, 243 S. Main St., in Zelienople, or by calling 724-452-9457 or 724-452-6471.

Lawrenceville Cookie Tour
Lawrenceville | Dec. 12
While this tour may not take you inside any historic homes, it does invite you into a series of small businesses. As the name suggests, participating locations — marked with a gingerbread man — will be handing out free cookies to spread a little holiday cheer.