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Dine Out Festival Murder Mystery: Murder is a Drag (19+)

A new murder mystery show in 2026!

Vancouver Mysteries is thrilled to launch the fourth chapter in our popular Murder is a Drag series in Gastown during the 2026 Dine Out Festival.

Murder is a Drag: Killer Birthday is a murder mystery set at a surprise birthday party and the fourth (and final?) chapter in the wildly successful Murder is a Drag series.

Get out your party dress, because you are invited to this Killer Birthday party! But be warned, there WILL be a murder. Can you solve it?

Interact with the suspects, solve a puzzle, collect clues and help our detective solve the murder! Don't miss this one-of-a-kind Murder Mystery experience only available in Vancouver – a musical murder mystery show with clues, puzzles, prizes and drag performances!

DINE OUT FESTIVAL VANCOUVER SHOWS

The six shows during Dine Out Festival are a collaboration between Vancouver Mysteries and Black Casket Cafe. We are thrilled to bring Black Casket’s creepy culinary treats to downtown Vancouver for this special mystery dining experience and the premiere of our new show during the festival. 

Tickets: $90 including GST/fees

Tickets include: a seat for the performance (general admission), puzzles to solve, a chance to win prizes and one charcuterie casket from Black Casket Cafe. Vegan, gluten-free and plant-based variations available. You will also have the option to add on a $5 dessert during booking.

There are six show dates during the Dine Out Festival:

• Thursdays (doors 7PM, show 8PM): Jan 22, Jan 29, Feb 5
• Sundays (doors 11AM, show 12PM): Jan 25, Feb 1, Feb 8

GET THERE EARLY! The fun begins when the doors open one hour before show time - the bar will be open and a DJ will be there to set the mood with mysterious tunes. Experience Hosts will also be there to greet you and answer any questions. Plan to get there when the doors open if you hope to be one of the lucky guests who will be offered a part in the show.

How Does it Work? Important Event Information

Murder is a Drag shows are always guaranteed to be campy, fun and fast-paced with a runtime of 90 minutes with two intermissions. This is a Vancouver Mysteries experience, so there will be puzzles for guests to solve as well as clues to collect. Every guest also has an opportunity to guess the identity of the killer and each show ends with prizes and a meet and greet with the cast.

• Participation is optional - some guests will be offered roles in the show but you can also opt to just sit back and enjoy the drama and hilarity as the mystery unfolds. Costumes encouraged!
• Are you celebrating a special occasion? A birthday, perhaps? If so, please forward your ticket confirmation email info@vancouvermysteries.com.
• Reservations - if you purchase at least 6 tickets and you forward your booking confirmation to info@vancouvermysteries with a request for a reservation we may be able to reserve seats for you (otherwise seating is first come, first serve). Reserved seats are only held until 7:30PM.
• Refunds: Please contact the venue at least 72 hours before the show to inquire about a refund.
• Drinks will also be available for purchase at the bar (alcoholic and non-alcoholic).
• Dining: there is no kitchen at the venue, all dining selections must be pre-ordered during booking (contact us up to 72 hours before the show date if you want to adjust your orders).
• 19+: Please keep the QR code sent to your email - you will need it for entry. We also will be checking IDs to verify 19+ age verification.
• Accessibility: the venue is ground level and there is one ground level restroom with additional restrooms one floor below. There are loud musical performances as well as quieter discussions, low lighting in the room and some puzzles require fine motor skills or ability to read fine print. If anyone in your party has concerns about the lighting, volume levels, or anything else please contact us.
• KW studios is run by nonprofit Kokoro Dance Theatre Society. A portion of your ticket has paid for our rental of this space, these funds help them support low-income, non-profit, indigenous and DTES artists.

See you there!

About Murder is a Drag - each of the four chapters in the Murder is a Drag series is a standalone show with new suspects and a new murderer.  Chapter One: Dinner Date With Death is set at Tony’s Place, a show lounge in East Van. Chapter Two: Wake the Dead is set at the funeral of a local millionaire Shawn Essy. Chapter Three: Rhinestones are Forever is set at a wedding. And now, Chapter Four: Killer Birthday is set a surprise birthday party!

Questions? The Vancouver Mysteries Experience Team is standing by to assist you 10:30AM - 6:30PM daily, 362 days a year. 778-707-1962 or info@vancouvermysteries.com.

Located 111 West Hastings Street Vancouver. Look for the KW sign off Hastings Street for the entrance.

This event takes place on the unceded and occupied homelands of the Coast Salish peoples of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are immensely grateful for being allowed to continue to live, work, and play on these lands.