Murder Mystery Theme Party Ideas

Welcome To Our Murder Mystery Theme Party page.

Murder mystery theme parties are one of the most popular theme parties- sure to go over well with all your guests.

This popular theme party can be prepared in less than a day, or in only a few hours for those high energy hosts!

See the detailed party plans below for all the decorations, costumes, game, and party drinks ideas, as well as printable invitations.

Your assignment: Uncover clever murder mystery theme party secrets!

Decorations & Favors

Cut out footprint shapes from black construction paper. Arrange on the floor leading to your entrance point.

Decoration ideas:

Black balloons
Magnifying glasses
Ropes
Candle sticks
Toy gun/knife
Cobwebs

Use a plastic yellow ribbon to mark off a "crime scene" or draw an outline of a body on the ground.

Great party favors include:

Whistles
Ink pads
Flashlights
Magnifying glass

A great focal point is a creepy, old chandelier. Line the area with Clue and mystery posters.

The table decor can include black, grey, or red tablecloths. Candelabras are a great accent to the table.

Costumes/Dress Attire

If possible, have guests come disguised. For the first part of the party, allow them to identify each other.

Great costumes include a detective bag, camera, trench coat, detective hat, and magnifying glass.

Games & Activities

The main activity is of course, the actual murder mystery script. You can create your own Who-Done-It or check out these murder mystery scripts.

Get your digital or instant camera and take mug shots of the guests. Hang them on the wall for other guests to see and enjoy.

Stuff balloons with clues, and have guests break the balloons with magnifying glasses. Then follow the directions, leading from clue to clue.

Music

The music depends on which murder mystery theme you choose. If you choose a Roaring 20's mystery script, similar music would be appropriate.

For general murder mysteries, violin music works well.

Food & Drink

You can really choose just about any type of food for your theme. Just as with music, it depends on the specific murder mystery theme you choose.

See our theme party recipe cookbook for thousands of recipe ideas.

We also recommend the delicious Secret Restaurant Copycat Recipe Cookbook with recipes from Applebee’s, Cheesecake Factory, Red Lobster, Benihana, Olive Garden, and many other popular restaurants.

Murder mystery theme party paper goods can be found in your local party store are available here.

The best drinks for your murder mystery party include wine and champagne. Be sure to have grape juice on hand for the non-alcoholic set as well as sparkling water for all.

Here are a couple of sites that have a good selection of free drink recipes:

idrink.com
drinkoftheweek.com

Invitations/Printables

Shape the invitations into a Sherlock Holmes style detective hat.

You can also use a fingerprint themed invitation using a washable ink pad.

Shape the invitation into a magnifying glass shape. Put clear cellophane on top, covered by a white outlined circle.

See the following collection of free theme party party invitations.

If you can't find what you are looking for, see more unique and extensive designs.

Going All Out...

Hire a local entertainment company to professionally organize your event.

Add a dinner party theme to your murder mystery- complete with guests dressed as servants and maids!

I hope this helps spark some fun ideas for your upcoming murder mystery theme party. Happy sleuthing!

Now that the "party's over"- keep it alive with sharing your ideas!

Send in your fun ideas and photos to help others create their own sensational celebrations. Let's exchange our ideas and keep sparking more and more creative theme party ideas.

Submit your murder mystery theme party idea and you may be included on our website and featured in upcoming newsletters!

Murder Mystery Theme Party Index