Trend Spotted: Murder Mysteries Are Having a Moment at Events

In January, Abigail Kirsch Catering and RSVP Events hosted an immersive night for New York City’s wedding and event planning community at Bryant Park’s Polar Lounge. The event, called "Manhattan Murder Mystery On Ice," turned the space into a mystery-filled setting, combining interactive entertainment, thoughtful decor, and a menu inspired by the season—all centered around a staged whodunnit.

Guests got into the spirit of the night by dressing as seductive super-sleuths and collaborating to solve the evening’s mystery. The lively atmosphere encouraged everyone to work together, navigating clues and puzzles while interacting with the event’s immersive elements.

Printed programs also helped set the tone for the theatrical event.

Throughout the night, the 150 attendees enjoyed cocktails and dishes that reflected the winter season. Drinks were cleverly themed as “killer cocktails."

The event featured decor and production by Hollywood Pop Gallery, design and print by Alpine Creative Group, and rentals from Party Rentals Entertainment. Chris J. Evans handled photography and Pervez Taufiq handled videography, while ESP Creative handled entertainment and audiovisual.

Ever wished you could step inside the puzzle-filled world of popular mobile game Merge Mansion? In March 2023, a lucky group of fans, press, and VIPs got to do just that. To celebrate the game’s biggest update—unlocking the mysterious Boulton family mansion—developer Metacore took over a real-life mansion in Los Angeles. The immersive experience, described as “part live-action theater, part escape room, and part lore museum,” featured actors portraying in-game characters guiding guests through clue-filled rooms. From digging through pies to crawling through a fake fireplace, attendees got hands-on with the mystery—and raced to answer the game’s central question: “What’s Grandma hiding?”

Guests invited to the immersive experience didn’t just receive a typical event invite—they got a message from Maddie Boulton herself. Handpicked fans were sent a personalized email from the game’s main character, while key influencers and celebrities received curated mailers complete with burner phones, case files, and other on-theme goodies—starting the intrigue long before anyone even stepped through the mansion doors.

Each room of the mansion revealed new challenges, including an escape room-inspired study where guests had to crack a safe to advance. Another memorable experience? Crawling through a faux fireplace to reach a bedroom surveillance setup, where guests pored over camera feeds in search of hidden clues.

To bring the concept to life, Metacore worked with Finnish creative agency Reaktor and experiential agency Jack Morton Worldwide, along with Scout Expedition Co. and JFI Productions on the scenic design and immersive theater experience. See more: How Pedro Pascal—and Some Clever Uses of AI—Brought Guests Inside the Real-Life Merge Mansion

In September 2024, FX took dinner parties to a dark new level with The Feast, an eerie activation celebrating the launch of Ryan Murphy’s series Grotesquerie, which follows the hunt for a serial killer. Created in collaboration with NVE Experience Agency, the event plunged guests into the show’s sinister world, complete with flickering lights, illuminated stained glass, and ballet dancers in custom “meat” dresses.

The night kicked off with a detective-inspired escape room, channeling the vibe of Lois Tryon’s office from the series. Guests were greeted by a detective and tasked with solving a riddle, piecing together clues from an anonymous caller and a custom crime board. Once they cracked the code, the doors opened to the dining area—where more mysterious surprises awaited.

Dinner itself was as unsettling as the setting. The four-course menu featured eerie dishes like split bone marrow and braised short ribs, served with “unsettling tools” wrapped in a tool roll—each labeled with the dish’s details. A standout moment? A blood orange dessert guests smashed open with mallets, oozing red syrup like something straight out of a crime scene. See more: FX Created a 'Symphony' of Real-Life Screams to Promote Its Creepy New Show

Here's a slightly more playful take on a crime-solving event: In April, OGX took over The Grove in Los Angeles with “Damage Detected HQ,” a pop-up celebrating the launch of its Bond Protein Repair collection. The one-day activation transformed a bustling area into the Hair Damage Unit (HDU), inviting guests to investigate their most relatable “hair crimes”—from heat damage to bleach breakage—and uncover the best ways to repair the evidence. With clever nods to true crime culture and a focus on hair education, attendees got to “close the case” on their hair mishaps through expert consultations, interactive product experiences, and full-size take-home solutions.

Guests were treated to an array of interactive highlights, including a mugshot-style photo wall where they “confessed” their biggest hair crimes, plus expert consultations that matched them with personalized repair solutions from the Bond Protein Repair system. To top it off, the experience featured a 360-degree photo booth, plenty of content capture opportunities, and full-size product sampling.

We're throwing it back to August 2020, when TNT took virtual events to a whole new level with an interactive murder mystery to celebrate the new season of The Alienist: Angel of Darkness. Produced by Little Cinema, the online experience cast guests as investigative journalists from The New York Times, tasked with solving the murder of fictional character Alejandro Valdez. Using a custom platform, attendees navigated through virtual “rooms,” interrogating costumed actors and piecing together clues—like real-life detectives—from the comfort of their own homes.

One of the night’s most gripping moments? A live actor was trapped in a locked box rapidly filling with water, while guests frantically exchanged clues in the chat to figure out how to help.

To help guests keep track of their findings, the platform included a “clues” section, recapping everything learned so far. At the end of the event, guests were prompted to vote on who the real killer was. See more: Steal-Worthy Ideas From TNT's Virtual Murder Mystery Party

Another favorite throwback comes from 2017, when the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas hosted its fifth annual Night at the Museum fundraiser—this time with a theme centered on “intrigue.” The evening was packed with hands-on science experiments (like squid dissections!) and lie-detector tests, but the real highlight for true crime fans was playing detective at various interactive stations. One particularly clever moment? Guests accessed a hidden speakeasy by eating edible paper with the secret passcode. Made from rice and potato starch, the paper dissolved with moisture, making sure no trace was left behind. See more: Why This Benefit Offered Squid Dissection and Lie Detector Tests

To celebrate its series A Murder at the End of the World back in 2023, FX transformed an event space into a chilling, immersive experience. Projection mapping, RFID tech, costumed actors, and surprise-and-delight moments plunged guests into the show’s eerie world. Aptly named "A Killer Evening: Cocktails. A Mystery. A Murder," the night kicked off with masked actors greeting attendees—setting the tone for the spooky scenes ahead.

For the New York event, guests dined in an atmospheric space where projection mapping recreated the series' haunting Icelandic backdrop. The room felt like a mysterious, otherworldly escape—perfect for a murder mystery dinner.

As guests enjoyed their meals, unexpected elements from the series crept into the evening—from puzzle-like challenges to an AI-inspired “voice of God” that guided the night’s storyline. RQ Agency and FX took immersion to the next level by embedding actors among the diners. These "undercover" characters would casually share intriguing tidbits about the series before dramatically revealing their roles at the night’s end—much to the guests’ surprise. See more: See FX's Tech-Forward Twist on the Standard Murder Mystery Dinner Party

In December 2024, Peacock gave relaxation a true-crime twist with its "Crime and Unwind" spa pop-up at Remedy Place in New York’s SoHo neighborhood. The unique activation catered to fans who find mystery-solving oddly soothing—playing off research that revealed 56% of true crime enthusiasts actually feel relaxed when following complex investigations.

Inspired by this unexpected connection between crime and calm, Peacock designed immersive wellness treatments with punny, mystery-themed names. Guests could try "The Airtight Alibi" (a hyperbaric oxygen chamber), "Hot Pursuit" (an infrared sauna), "Cold Case Plunge" (an ice bath and breathwork session), and "Knot Guilty" (a massage area). Each treatment offered a blend of relaxation and detective vibes, while lounge areas featured Peacock’s true crime collection, including Dateline and Based on a True Story.

The experience wasn’t complete without a photo op fit for a true crime fan. Peacock worked with Jack Morton Worldwide to bring the immersive—and surprisingly soothing—concept to life.

New York City’s United Palace Theater wasn’t just a filming location for Only Murders in the Building—it also became the scene of a mystery-inspired pop-up in September 2023. The immersive experience brought the show’s third season to life, inviting guests to step into the world of the series. If you’re not caught up: The season followed the murder of actor Ben Glenroy (played by Paul Rudd) just before his big Broadway debut. Naturally, his friends and neighbors take it upon themselves to crack the case.

As guests arrived at the iconic theater, they were greeted as if stepping into a crime-filled Broadway show: They were handed a playbill and a flashlight to set the mood. And on the mezzanine level, eventgoers-turned-detectives could find a costume gallery and other items cataloged as “evidence.” See more: This Ultra-Immersive Only Murders in the Building Pop-Up Allowed Fans to Help Solve the Show's Latest Mystery