Submitted by Joanne Beatty, Ways and Means Chair
Dates: Friday December 4th 2026, and Saturday December 5th
We kicked off activities for this year’s Christmas tour last week. We have already had requests for tickets. Tickets will go on sale at the end of September, early October. As our tours have traditionally sold out early, please make sure to tell friends and family to sign up for advance notice Tour Mailing List – Allegheny West
Our tours are not possible without our wonderful volunteers. As with previous years there are several ways to get more involved with the tour:
Volunteer Opportunities
- Showcase your home and its wonderful history! There are no tours without homes. Each Christmas tour we seek six homes in addition to Holmes Hall (thank you Mark) and Calvary Church (thank you Beth). If you would like to have your home on this year’s tour please contact Jo Beatty or Carol Gomrick. We are happy to walk you through the process and answer any questions.
- Sponsor the tour by placing an ad in our very popular tour program or help by underwriting the cost of the program by making a donation to Allegheny West Civic Council. Everything helps. Please reach out via tours@alleghenywest.org
- Volunteer to support the running of the tour. This is a great opportunity to be involved, meet neighbors and friends and experience the tour. Volunteer opportunities include helping homeowners or as a docent. This is our largest volunteer event. Please contact Dan Sprumont (docents) or Jo Beatty (all other volunteer opportunities) if you are interested. Please reach out directly or via tours@alleghenywest.org
- Runners. Our runners are a critical part of the tour, making sure the tour route stays cleared, the luminaries and flags at each home are set up and taken down as well as respond to matters that arise during the tour in real time. Don’t worry there is no real running involved, but a degree of mobility is necessary. Please reach out via tours@alleghenywest.org
- Train Museum. The model train collection housed at Holmes Hall is unique and a “must see” on the tour. We need volunteers to help staff the second, third and fourth floors at Holmes Hall during the tour. We provide training and notes. Again reach out directly or use the tours@alleghenywest.org
- At Calvary Church. We need volunteers to announce the tours, support registration and help each tour group get on its way smoothly and on time. Let us know if this is something you are interested in.
If you are new to the Allegheny West neighborhood, a very WARM WELCOME. The holiday season and our Christmas tour is a special time in the neighborhood. The Christmas tour is a wonderful way to come together as a community so please consider volunteering.
Thank you in advance for all your efforts and support for the tours.