Christmas house tour is Dec. 4, 5

One of the wonderful holiday traditions in the city is the annual Labouré Center’s Christmas house tour in South Boston, and this year marks the 20th anniversary of the popular event. It will be held Saturday, Dec. 4, and Sunday, Dec. 5.

The tour raises funds for the Labouré Center, which has been an integral component of the community for more than 100 years, providing after-school programs for youths, family, individual and group counseling, emergency assistance, visiting nurse service and community outreach to more than 6,000 people in South Boston and surrounding communities.

At the top of South Boston’s Telegraph Hill lies 56 Thomas Park, a beautiful Victorian home built for a sea captain in 1885. It now houses three condominiums, two of which are on the Christmas house tour Dec. 4 and 5.

Contemporary or traditional, five residences will be exquisitely decorated for the holidays.

At 56 Thomas Park, Unit 1 will highlight the custom carpentry and cozy fireplace in the living room. Unit 3 boasts a new roof deck with a widow’s walk and cupola and spectacular views. The main entertaining spaces include two gas fireplaces with marble surrounds and other contemporary finishes that complement the Victorian antiques.

Another home, on West Second Street, is barely six years old and features a French country décor. It too has a gas fireplace. An added note is the furniture on the first level that comprises reclaimed wood.

Two other antique homes are on the tour as well. One is on O Street, built in 1901. It too has been converted to condominiums, so there is a blend of old and new.

A brick home on East Third Street, near East Broadway, is the fifth property to be showcased on the tour. This home was constructed in the mid-1880s and is believed to have served as housing for the mansion around the corner. It features exotic iron and mahogany pieces and artwork collected from around the world.

The Saturday twilight tour begins at 4 p.m. will take tour-goers from the UMass/Boston Campus Center, 100 Morrissey Blvd., to the houses, which will be open until 6 p.m. Self-guided tours also will be available.

A cocktail reception will be held after this tour from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Terrace Room of the Campus Center. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased through the website www.ccab.org or by phone at 617-268-9670.

The Sunday daytime tour will depart from the Labouré Center, 275 West Broadway, or from Castle Island, where there is ample parking, and a trolley will transport participants to these featured homes. (Parking is limited at the center.) Coffee, tea and baked goods will be available at the center to enjoy during the tour.

Tickets for this tour are $25 in advance or $30 at the door and can be purchased at the center or by credit card by calling 617-464-8502 or 464-8503.

The tickets provide entry to all the homes, and the tour book will be available at all sites. In addition, the Shoppe at the Labouré, a gift boutique, will offer holiday decorations and other wares. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.