Calling all Murder, She Wrote fans! This spring, hundreds of Jessica Fletcher enthusiasts from around the world will gather for the third annual Murder, She Wrote Festival to honor the cozy mystery series starring Angela Lansbury. The festival runs from Friday through Sunday, May 1-3, 2026 and takes place in Mendocino, California, which stood in as the fictional town of Cabot Cove, Maine.
Murder, She Wrote Walking Tour outside of the Blair House Inn. (Photo credit: Nik Zvolensky.)
Although it’s been three decades since the Emmy award-winning mystery series aired its final season, Murder, She Wrote remains one of the most popular shows in syndication. The Kelley House Museum created the festival to pay tribute to the show’s enduring legacy in the town. “When Angela Lansbury died (in 2022), locals placed flowers and wreaths in front of the Blair House Inn (Jessica’s house in the show), so we hosted a small tribute for her,” says Director Anne Semans. “Fast forward three years and we sold out the Festival tickets in one day nearly six months in advance.”
The Festival offers Murder, She Wrote fans (“Fangelas”) a chance to immerse themselves in the world of their favorite cozy mystery. Highlights of the 2026 celebration include the interactive “Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote” screening with host Tim Benzie, the “Cabot Cove Ball & Costume Contest,” mimosas at Jessica’s house, and a celebrity meet-and-greet with former cast members Michael Horton and Debbie Zipp, along with the show’s art director Pete Samish.
While passes for the full Murder, She Wrote Festival weekend are already sold out, a limited number of tickets are available for single events, including the “Solve-Along,” “Cabot Cove Ball,” and “Walking Tour.” Many of the weekend’s events are free and open to the public. Visitors can shop for unique souvenirs at the “Murder, She Shopped Market Hall,” search for murder weapons in “Scavenger, She Hunted,” and enjoy specialty themed cocktails in the “Jessica Behind Bars” pub crawl. Read more about all the festival events on the Kelley House Museum website.
Angela Lansbury: Muse of Cabot Cove exhibit will be on view at the Kelley House Museum (aka the Cabot Cove Historical Society) during the festival. Enjoy this tribute to the actress’s storied career and the profound impact she had on the Mendocino community during the years Murder, She Wrote was filmed here. The exhibit includes photos, memorabilia, scripts, and the keys to Angela’s room at the Hill House of Cabot Cove.
Fans can subscribe to the Kelley House Museum’s newsletter for updates on future events. All proceeds from the festival benefit the Kelley House Museum’s mission to preserve and share the history of Mendocino’s coast.
The Festival is an unofficial event and is not associated with NBCUniversal. The Kelley House Museum is open Friday-Sunday, 11am-3pm. Visit the Kelley House Event Calendar for a walking tour schedule.