Experience the magic of the holiday season from our
century-old (and older) homes.
Annual Old Southwest Parlor Tour of Historic Homes
Celebrate the magic of the holidays and the historic beauty of our neighborhood at the annual Old Southwest Parlor Tour of Historic Homes. Showcasing the historic Old Southwest neighborhood, this event has been inviting the community into our parlors since 1979. And this year we are excited that our sister historic neighborhood, Mountain View, is opening their doors and showcasing some of their beautiful homes.
IMPORTANT CHANGE in 2025: Starting this year, folks will not have to pick up their brochures at the entrance to Highland Park. Please note that this year will be Saturday only, but we will have daylight and nighttime hours. What hasn’t changed is the ticket price! Advance tickets are still just $20.00 and tickets purchased day of event are still $25.00.
Brochures will become available electronically prior to the tour, via email. Addresses for the homes on the self-guided tour will be listed in the brochure.
Cash ticket purchases on day of event on December 6 th may be made at the Alexander-Gish House, starting at between the hours of 1:30 and 7:00 PM.
Printed copies of the brochure will be available at each home on tour as at the Alexander-Gish house.
Easy as eating a Christmas cookie!
Purchase online – Get email with digital brochure – start tour at any home beginning at 2:00PM!
The tradition is Old Southwest Inc.’s largest annual fundraiser. The money raised directly supports neighborhood events and projects that benefit our community and city, including the crucial maintenance of the Historic Alexander-Gish House in Highland Park. Please join us, "Always the First Weekend of December" and enjoy a self-guided tour of an array of historic Old Southwest homes, festive decorations, refreshments at the Alexander-Gish house, music and merriment. Reduced-price, advance-sale tickets are always offered. Day-of tickets are available at the entrance to Highland Park. Additional donations to the Old Southwest Parlor Tour fundraiser can be made through the Give Butter ticket purchase page at the time of ticket purchase and are deeply appreciated.
SAVE THE DATE: 44th OSW Parlor Tour of Historic Homes Saturday, December 6, 2025
Snowfall in a beautiful historic neighborhood.
Enjoy a glimpse of Historic Old Southwest on Dec 19, 2009, blanketed by the largest snowfall in over a decade (a December record) with music by the Roanoke Valley Children’s Choir (www.childrenschoir.com).
Relive Parlor Tour 2023 in the News
Old Southwest Christmas Parlor Tour Highlights Fine Roanoke Architecture
The RoanokeStar.com, December 20, 2023
MORE DETAILS
Children under the age of 2 do not require tickets.
Children must be closely supervised at all times.
Strollers are not permitted in the homes.
No smoking or vaping on tour property or inside the homes.
Photography only permitted with permission of the property owner.
Please refrain from wearing high-heeled shoes that may damage wood floors.
Public restrooms are available at the Alexander-Gish House and other designated neighborhood locations, but not in private homes.
Parking is available at the Alexander-Gish House or on-street (please do not block driveways).
Old Southwest’s Parlor Tour of Historic Homes was born out of need.
The founding members of what was called “The Old Southwest Neighborhood Alliance” (later incorporated as our Old Southwest, Inc. non-profit) needed a way to raise funds to restore the Alexander-Gish house located in Highland Park. The house had been shuttered by the City of Roanoke and was slated for demolition. Historic-preservation pioneers of the neighborhood came up with the idea of a home tour, after the Roanoke Valley Council of Garden clubs featured some homes in the neighborhood.
Parlor Tour remains the biggest annual fundraiser for the OSW neighborhood. Proceeds are used to continue the preservation and maintenance of the Alexander-Gish House, provide funding for neighborhood events and improvement projects and to support educational initiatives, environmental preservation, and other charities important to the neighborhood and the Roanoke valley.
Parlor Tour has become an OSW annual holiday tradition enjoyed by hundreds of visitors, the participants who open their homes, and the many volunteers who make this event possible. We welcome you into our neighborhood and enjoy knowing that you are sure to have a fantastic time!