Halloween at Thurber House: Murder Mystery & Book Bar
Saturday, October 10 from 5:00-9:00 pm
Come enjoy Halloween at Thurber House with a spooky murder mystery, a Halloween-themed Book Bar social mixer, and our ever-popular ghost raffle! Whether you choose to solve the crime, mix and mingle with other readers, or both, this is sure to be an exciting evening filled with fun surprises.
You can choose from the following ticket options:
Murder Mystery + Book Bar Combo Ticket (Age 21+)
Murder Mystery Only Ticket (No Book Bar) (Age 14+)
Book Bar Only Ticket (No Murder Mystery) (Age 21+)
The murder mystery is open to adults and teens age 14+. The Book Bar social mixer is for adults 21+ only.
All event attendees must check in at Thurber Center (91 Jefferson Ave, Columbus, OH 43215). Murder mystery groups will depart from Thurber Center (please arrive at least 10 minutes before your time slot).
(Scroll down for event information and ticket options.)
Murder Mystery
Thurber House | Time Slot Reservation Required | Adults and Teens Ages 14+
Sign up for a time slot, put your detective hat on, and come solve a murder mystery at the appropriately eerie (and haunted) Thurber House!
We’ll be decked out in our holiday finest with creepy decorations and a puzzling crime scene. Bring your friend or partner, sign up together with your book club, or come solo—we’re here for it, and you should be too.
Don’t wait to register! There are limited time slots for the murder mystery.
Note: The murder mystery is open to adults and teens ages 14+ (teens must be accompanied by at least one adult). You must check in at Thurber Center 10 minutes before your time slot.
Book Bar Social Mixer
Thurber Center | Drop In Event | Adults 21+
Our popular Book Bar takes place at Thurber Center this October with a festive Halloween twist! Join us for an easygoing, social night made for book lovers who want to mingle, read, or embrace the Halloween spirit.
Grab a drink, enjoy buffet-style appetizers, and settle in for good conversation and cozy fall vibes. Whether you come with friends or on your own, Book Bar is all about community, curiosity, and connecting over books.
Each ticket includes admission, one standard drink, and appetizers. Additional drinks will be available for purchase.
Note: The Book Bar social mixer is for adults only. All guests must be 21 or older. You can drop in any time between 5:00-9:00 pm (but don’t miss your murder mystery time slot!).
Bonus: “Evening with the Ghosts” Raffle
A One-of-a-Kind Experience
Win a private “Evening with the Ghosts” at Thurber House with a professional paranormal investigator!
So… is Thurber House really haunted? Enter our ghost raffle to win a private tour and investigation with a paranormal researcher at Thurber House! Will the ghost decide to make an appearance? That’s for you to find out… if you dare.
The raffle is $5 for one entry or $20 for five entries. All proceeds benefit Thurber House. The winner will be drawn on October 19.
”Evening with the Ghosts” will take place on a date of the winner’s choosing that is mutually available on the investigator’s schedule. The winner will be drawn on October 19. Adults and teens ages 14+ are welcome to enter the raffle, but teens must be accompanied by an adult if they win.
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‣ Murder Mystery + Book Bar COMBO (21+) | $40
This ticket includes admission to the murder mystery (14+), the Book Bar social mixer (21+), appetizers, and one standard drink voucher. Additional drinks will be available for purchase. You can drop into the Book Bar any time between 5-9 pm (but don’t miss your murder mystery time slot!).‣ Murder Mystery ONLY (14+) | $25
This ticket includes admission to the interactive murder mystery for adults and teens ages 14+. You must reserve a time slot for your mystery experience and check in at Thurber Center 10 minutes before your time slot.‣ Book Bar ONLY (21+) | $30
This ticket includes admission to the Book Bar social mixer, appetizers, and one standard drink voucher. Additional drinks will be available for purchase. You must be 21+ to attend. You can drop in any time between 5-9 pm.‣ Ghost Raffle | 1 entry for $5 or 5 entries for $20
Win a private “Evening with the Ghosts” at Thurber House with a professional paranormal investigator! Will the ghost decide to make an appearance? That’s for you to find out… if you dare. The raffle is $5 for one entry or $20 for five entries. All proceeds benefit Thurber House. Adults and teens ages 14+ are welcome to enter the raffle, but teens must be accompanied by an adult if they win. The winner will be drawn on October 19. -
All October 10 event attendees must check in at Thurber Center (91 Jefferson Ave, Columbus, OH 43215). Murder mystery groups will depart from Thurber Center (please arrive at least 10 minutes before your time slot).
Parking on Jefferson Avenue: Free, easy street parking is available all along the Jefferson Avenue oval. Note: only the spots along the one-way oval are free; the spots along the two-way ends of Jefferson Avenue (near Broad Street and Long Street) are not free.
Parking off N. 11th Street (behind Thurber House): Free visitor parking is available in the small lot directly behind Thurber House, accessible off N. 11th Street and located here. There is no time limit as long as you are visiting Thurber House. All other parking lots do not belong to Thurber House and you may be towed.
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The first floor of Thurber Center and Thurber House are handicap/wheelchair accessible, including the first floor restrooms.
If you cannot navigate stairs, please contact us before registering so we can discuss accommodations.
How to reach the wheelchair ramp for Thurber Center:
If you park on Jefferson Avenue: There is a slight curb (some wheelchairs can navigate this). The closest “ramp” cut is the entrance to the large parking lot on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Long Street (here). Follow the sidewalk through the Thurber Center front gate. Take the sidewalk around the porch on the right side of the building. The entrance to the wheelchair ramp will appear on your left, past the porch.
If you park in the Thurber House rear parking lot: Follow the sidewalk between the handicap parking signs (here). The sidewalk will take you around the north side of our multipurpose building, Thurber Center. The ramp will appear on your right and leads up to the front porch.
How to reach the wheelchair ramp at Thurber House (our staff will guide you):
From Thurber Center, go down the ramp and turn right toward Jefferson Avenue. On Jefferson Avenue, turn right and continue toward Thurber House. Follow the sidewalk through the Thurber House front gate. Take the sidewalk around the left side of the House. The entrance to the wheelchair ramp is near the rear corner of the House (here).
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For any questions that are not answered here, please email Jess Cox at jcox@thurberhouse.org or call 614-412-5955.
‣ How will I receive my tickets/registration? You will receive an email order confirmation containing your ticket(s)/registration. You can print or show your ticket(s)/registration on your phone. If you are unable to do so, we will manually check you in.
‣ Can I wear a costume? Yes!!
‣ Will there be a bathroom? Yes, accessible bathrooms will be available in both buildings.
‣ What is your refund policy? All registrations are final and non-refundable. However, you can give your spot to a friend, family member, colleague, etc. if you cannot attend. Contact us to transfer a registration.
‣ What is the Columbus ticket fee? The total ticket price includes the Columbus Arts and Culture Fee as required by the City of Columbus. The Arts and Culture Fee provides public funds to support artists and arts/cultural organizations like Thurber House that educate and engage audiences of all ages. Click here for more information.
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Disclaimer: Views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by event and program speakers in all mediums are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Thurber House, its affiliates, or its staff/board.