A Kelley House Museum Fundraiser
MURDER, SHE WROTE FESTIVAL, 2026
Friday, May 1st – Sunday, May 3rd, 2026
Festival Pass (all inclusive): Members $200, General Public $250
Tickets available in September. They are SOLD OUT for the 2026 festival.
Join the Kelley House Museum as we celebrate Murder, She Wrote, one of the most popular shows in television history! We’ve expanded to include a full day of programming on Friday and Saturday, with plenty of new activities. Get ready to fall in love with Mendocino’s Cabot Cove! What’s included in the festival pass (times and venues subject to change):
New – Jessica Behind Bars
Thursday–Sunday, April 30th–May 3rd, during open hours
Location: Mendocino Historic District
Stop by the bars in Mendocino any time they are open and try the specialty cocktail each one crafted in honor of Jessica Fletcher. Also open to the general public.
Jessica Behind Bars – Cabot Cove Harbor
Thursday, April 30th, 4pm-6pm
Location: Noyo Harbor Inn
Early bird Festival arrivals are welcome to drop in for a one-night only Jessica Behind Bars in Fort Bragg (15 minutes north of Mendocino) at this beautiful inn overlooking Noyo Harbor (aka Cabot Cove Harbor). Meet fellow fans and enjoy dinner afterwards at this beautiful spot.
Murder, She Shopped & Check-In
Friday & Saturday, May 1st & 2nd, 10am–5pm
Location: Preston Hall, Mendocino
Check in and pick up your welcome packet Friday morning. Shop for Murder, She Wrote souvenirs from vendors in this market of all things Murder! Bid on dozens of silent auction items only true “Fangelas” will appreciate! The market hall is open to the general public.
Scavenger, She Hunted
Friday–Sunday, May 1st–May 3rd, 11am–4pm
Location: Mendocino Historic District
Visit local shops in search of murder weapons. Collect them all, and enjoy shopping during this self–guided scavenger hunt. Turn your completed survey into the Kelley House Museum to collect your prize. The scavenger hunt is open to the general public; stop by the Kelley House Museum or Preston Hall on Friday or Saturday to pick up a map.
Angela Lansbury: Muse of Cabot Cove Exhibit
Friday–Sunday, May 1st–May 3rd, 11am–3pm
Location: Kelley House Museum (aka Cabot Cove Historical Society)
The exhibit (also viewable online) includes photos, memorabilia, scripts, and the keys to Angela’s room at the Hill House of Cabot Cove. 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.
New – Murder, She Talked
Friday, May 1st, 1pm–4pm, (Various sessions)
Location: Crown Hall (aka Cabot Cove Library), Mendocino
A host of Murder, She Wrote experts, authors, and fans will be speaking throughout the afternoon. Speaker list includes MSW art director Peter Samish, authors Lily Hirsch, Mark Aldridge, and Nina Trivedi, and several local actors who appeared in the TV show.
Trivia, She Slayed
(Two sessions, yours will be assigned)
Friday, May 1st , 4pm–5:30pm
Friday, May 1st, 8pm–9:30pm
Location: St. Anthony’s Hall (aka Cobb’s Mortuary), Mendocino
Team up with your fellow fans to show off your Murder, She Wrote trivia prowess. Enjoy snacks, beer, wine, and soda as you compete for the grand prize.
New Episode! “Solve–Along–A–Murder–She–Wrote” Interactive Screening with Tim Benzie
(Two screenings, yours will be assigned)
Friday, May 1st, 8pm–10pm
Saturday, May 2nd, 4pm–6pm
Location: Crown Hall (aka Cabot Cove Library), Mendocino
Special guest host Tim Benzie brings his hilariously entertaining hit show all the way from England with a different episode from last year! Audience members solve the crime before Jessica in one of the episodes filmed in Mendocino.
Walking Tours of Filming Locations
Saturday & Sunday, May 2nd & May 3rd, 10am–Noon
Location: Kelley House Museum (aka Cabot Cove Historical Society), Mendocino
Kelley House tour guides take you to a dozen filming locations, regaling you with anecdotes and history along the way. Tour lasts 1.5 hours.
New – Autographs, She Signed
Saturday, May 2nd, 10am–12pm
Location: Preston Hall, Mendocino
Take a selfie with Michael Horton and Debbie Zipp (Jessica’s nephew Grady and his wife, Donna), who will also have autographed photos for sale.
Meet author Lily Hirsch and get your signed copy of her new book, Nowhere to Go but Up: What Angela Lansbury Can Teach Us About Living a Big Life. Fans will enjoy this feminist reevaluation of Angela Lansbury’s career, personal life, and myriad achievements and how she inspires us to be better.
New – Autographs, She Signed & Live Podcast
Saturday, May 2nd, 1pm–2:30pm
Location: Crown Hall (aka Cabot Cove Library)
Live Podcast Recording: Host Ebony Vines leads a special live session featuring exclusive interviews with actors Michael Horton and Debbie Zipp (Jessica’s nephew Grady and his wife, Donna), joined by “Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote” creator Tim Benzie and expert MSW tour guide and fangela Joann Mauro. Ebony hosts the podcast Theatre Geeks Anonymous and Outrageous Fortune.
Celebrity Meet & Greet: The podcast will be followed by a signing and photo opportunity with real-life couple Michael Horton and Debbie Zipp.
New – Jessica Jog
Saturday, May 2nd. 2:30pm–3:00pm
Location: Blair House Inn (aka Jessica’s House)
Don your grey tracksuit and meet Solve–Along star Tim Benzie outside the Blair House Inn and accompany him on a short jog through town to the Kelley House Museum. This event is open to the general public.
New – Cabot Cove Ball & Costume Contest
Saturday, May 2nd, 8pm–10pm
Location: Crown Hall (aka Cabot Cove Library)
Dance to iconic tunes from the 80s, spun by DJ Paul Joseph at the Cabot Cove Ball. Dress up in your best Jessica Fletcher attire and compete for prizes in categories like “Best Jessed” and “Dressed to Kill.” Costumes are not required to party! No host bar.
Murder and Mimosas
Sunday, May 3rd , 12pm–2pm
Location: Blair House Inn
Drop in anytime and enjoy a killer mimosa at the Inn used for exterior shots of Jessica Fletcher’s home. Enjoy delicious local goodies and peruse original scripts from the TV show. Snap a festival pic at the photo booth using our costumes and props.
Further Information
The Festival is an unofficial event and is not associated with NBCUniversal.
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