The Annual Holiday Look In Home Tour is back, and it promises to be a delightful treat for both the eyes and ears.
Sponsored by the Women’s Committee of the Pasadena Symphony and POPS, this 56th annual reiteration of what has become a favorite community celebration offers enchanting in-person home tours on Dec. 2 and 3, Saturday and Sunday, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore four elegant homes in Pasadena festively adorned with the finest floral designs, set against the backdrop of beautiful gardens. As you stroll through these exquisite properties, docents will highlight unique features, while musicians provide a festive ambiance with holiday music.
The Holiday Look In Home Tour offers a chance to witness the charm and elegance of the city’s architecture and gardens. This year, four distinctive homes will be dressed in holiday splendor by renowned floral designers.
The homes featured this year include a beautifully landscaped English Revival Cottage in the Prospect Historic District built in 1923 by Pasadena-based builder Fred Petrequin for Fred Estabrooks Simpson, a local interior designer, and his family; an exquisite 1951 Mid-Century Modern located near the Langham Hotel in an oak strewn mecca surrounded by wooded canyons, whose original owners, Glen and Mabel Swanson, commissioned architects Whitney Smith and Wayne Williams to design; an 1892 American Foursquare Eastlake style home built by the Post family, early settlers in Pasadena, in 1892 and designed by Thomas William Parkes, a native of Cheshire, England; and a stately 1925 Mediterranean home reportedly built for a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Gamble, the original owners of The Gamble House.
The Holiday Look In Tour is not just about beauty; it also serves a noble purpose. Proceeds from the event go on to support the Pasadena Symphony and POPS annual concert series and their educational outreach and community engagement programs. These initiatives, including the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestras, provide valuable musical training and personal development opportunities for young musicians across the San Gabriel Valley.
Tickets are priced at $45. Donations are also welcome and are tax-deductible.
The annual event also features a Holiday Boutique, located at the Scottish Rite Cathedral at 150 N. El Molino Ave. The Boutique is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers a wide range of gift items, accessories, sophisticated jewelry, hostess gifts, table linens, and more. Whether you’re kickstarting your holiday shopping or seeking a special gift, you’re sure to find something that speaks to your heart. Best of all, 25% of vendor proceeds will be directed towards supporting the Pasadena Symphony and POPS, furthering their education and outreach services.
The Women’s Committee of the Pasadena Symphony Association has been at the heart of the Holiday Look In for over half a century. Established in 1957, these volunteers celebrate and support the musicians of the Pasadena Symphony Association through the annual tour. Over the years, they’ve donated over $4 million to the Pasadena Symphony Association. In 2022, they contributed $184,000 in proceeds from the Home Tours.
Membership is open in the Women’s Committee and offers enjoyable responsibilities and meetings held in beautiful homes six times a year. For more information on membership, contact Heidi McLean at redmclean@aol.com.
For tickets to the Holiday Look In Tour and other information, visit www.PasadenaHolidayLook In.org or go to https://bit.ly/HLItix2023.
