Today: Six houses built as long ago as the 1860s and as recently as the 1990s will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the Butler County Symphony House Tour. A cookie reception will be held from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the North Main Street Church of God, 1201 N. Main, Butler. Tickets, $18, are available at the church or houses. Information: 724-283-1402.

Nov. 30-Dec. 2: A 1915 East End mansion built in the Italian Renaissance style will be professionally decorated with evergreens and holiday flowers and open for tours as part of Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden's Holiday Splendor celebration. Shuttle tours will follow breakfasts beginning at 10 a.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 and a luncheon at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at Phipps Garden Center in Shadyside. At 10 a.m. Dec. 2, big Burrito Chef Bill Fuller will show how to create unusual holiday edibles, then offer samples. Tours follow.

The garden center will sell greens and other decorations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Tickets are $30 for breakfasts, $50 for luncheon or Fuller's seminar. Reservations: 412-622-6915, ext. 6401. Information: www.phipps.conservatory.org, "calendar of events."

Dec. 2: Coldwell Banker Real Estate will offer tours of houses in Cranberry and Mt. Lebanon as fund-raisers for the Mother's Hope Foundation and Cranberry Cup.

The first Cranberry Area Holiday House Tour will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and include a 19th-century farmhouse and five other homes. Reception after at the Foxmoor Clubhouse featuring hors d'oeuvres, desserts, raffles, auctions and door prizes. Tickets, $20, are available at the Cranberry office, 20510 Route 19, and area shops. Information: Patti Riederer at 724-776-2900, ext. 204.

The third annual Holiday House Tour will include six Mt. Lebanon homes open from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. From noon to 3 p.m., Coldwell Banker's Route 19/Galleria office, 1539 Washington Road, will host a luncheon catered by Atria's Restaurant, with raffles, auctions and specialty boutiques. Tickets, $20, available at the office and area shops. Information: Heather Harrison at 412-344-0500, ext. 242.

Dec. 2: A few tickets are still available for the Zelienople Historical Society's Christmas House Tour, featuring at least 10 homes and a luncheon. The tour begins at 9 a.m. Tickets, $20, must be reserved by calling the society office at 724-452-9457 during office hours, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Dec. 8-9: The 25th annual Allegheny West Victorian Christmas House Tour will include guided tours of restored Victorian houses and the historic Calvary United Methodist Church from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 8 and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 9. A miniature train display will be open after each tour. Tour tickets are $20; train exhibit tickets are $10.

Tickets are $40 for a brunch catered by Linda Iannotta at her home at 10 a.m. Dec. 9 and for high tea tours at 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Also, a 25th anniversary dinner party will be held Dec. 1 at the Parador Bed & Breakfast. Tickets are $125 per person and include the tour. Reservations, information at the Allegheny Civic Council Web site, www.alleghenywest.info.

Dec. 13: Howard Hanna Real Estate's Mt. Lebanon office will hold its annual Holiday House Tour to benefit the Children's Hospital Free Care Fund from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A luncheon provided by Max & Erma's Restaurant will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the office, 607 Washington Road, with a bake sale and silent auction.

Six homes will be featured. Tickets for the tour and luncheon are $17 in advance, $20 on tour day, available at the office and area stores. Information: 412-561-7400.