A holiday tradition returns on Dec. 4 with the in-person 31st Holiday Open House in the Cathedral of Learning’s Nationality and Heritage Rooms.

The program, sponsored by the Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, the University Center for International Studies and the committees for the rooms, has been online only during the pandemic.

During the holiday season, however, all but one — the Turkish Room — are decorated to reflect the unique ways each culture celebrates its fall and winter traditions, including Lunar New Year for the Chinese Room and Diwali for the Indian Room.

Members of the Nationality and Heritage Room committees will welcome guests from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 4 into the rooms decorated for the holiday season. Guests can participate in traditional crafts and cultural demonstrations to learn about the rooms, their ethnic communities and traditions. 

In the Cathedral of Learning Commons, traditional foods and handcrafted cultural items will be for sale as world and holiday plays. St. Nicholas will make an appearance for photos with children and families.     

The event is free and open to the public. Find more information on the Nationality Rooms website.

Guided tours of the Nationality Rooms are available beginning Friday, Nov. 25; no tours will be held on Nov. 27. Guests must register at least four days in advance to receive a slot. There are no self-guided tours at this time. Interactive online tours are also available for those who can’t make it to Pittsburgh.