Thurber House Book Bar Mixer and Halloween events

Thurber House is a nonprofit literary arts center that serves as an educational gathering place for readers, writers, and artists from all over the world.

Since 1984, Thurber House and the Thurber Center next door have held author events, creative programming, writing workshops for kids and adults, writer residencies, camps and more.

Thurber House Living Museum (is it haunted?)

The Thurber House is the restored 1873 home of humorist, cartoonist, author, playwright, and journalist James Thurber, widely considered one of the foremost American humorists of the 20th century.

Thurber House functions as a living museum where interaction with some museum materials is permitted, allowing visitors to experience the house as if they were the Thurbers’ guests.

The home is filled with Thurber artifacts, memorabilia, antique furnishings, and informational panels and photographs about the family and James Thurber’s life and career. Reputed to be haunted, visitors are welcome to ask about the stories behind the rumors.

Dog Garden and Unicorn in the Garden

Visitors should also visit the Dog Garden and the Unicorn in the Garden. Stop by the peaceful Thurber Centennial Reading Garden located between Thurber House and Thurber Center to read, or just sit to relax.

You’ll find 4 larger-than-life-size Thurber dogs by Sculptor Dale Johnson, as well as a 5th dog on top of the fountain.

Across the street in Thurber Park, you’ll find the unicorn, modeled after the creature in Thurber’s story “The Unicorn in the Garden,”.  The full text of which is engraved near the statue. The matching unicorn sculpture is located on the grounds of the Columbus School for Girls in Bexley.

Thurber House events

Thurber House offers programs throughout the year.

Family-Friendly Halloween at Thurber House | FREE

Saturday, October 10, 2026 from 1 pm – 3 pm

During this FREE family-friendly drop-in event, come celebrate Halloween at Thurber House with a variety of interactive and creative activities that are fun for all ages! Pop up bookstore/coffee shop Froth & Fable will also be on site selling coffee and children’s books.

You can stop by any time between 1:00-3:00 pm, but you must RSVP by clicking the red “register” button above.

This event is best suited for ages 6+ (minors must have at least one adult with them). You can participate in as many activities as you like. Costumes are welcome! Details here.

Halloween at Thurber House: Murder Mystery & Book Bar

Saturday, October 10, 2026 from 5:00 PM 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.

• Murder Mystery + Book Bar Combo Ticket (Age 21+) — $40
• Murder Mystery Only Ticket (No Book Bar) (Age 14+) — $25
• Book Bar Only Ticket (No Murder Mystery) (Age 21+) — $30
• Ghost Raffle | 1 entry for $5 or 5 entries for $20

Register here. The murder mystery is open to adults and teens age 14+. The Book Bar social mixer is for adults 21+ only.

Holiday Open House

Saturday, December 5, 2026 from 1:00 PM 4:00 PM

Get in the holiday spirit at Thurber House during this FREE pop-in family-friendly event! Join us for seasonal music, treats, arts and crafts, free museum tours, and a special holiday sale at our bookstore.

No registration is required. Just pop by any time to explore the museum and get some one-of-a-kind holiday gifts! Bookstore discount during this event: $5 off purchases of $25 or more.

Read about upcoming events.

Adult Writing Workshops and Events

Workshops are focused on tips and tricks of the writing process, including character and story development, editing, and more. Register on the events page.

Thurber House Children’s Programs

Young Writers’ Studio: Every other week, local teens grades 9-12 gather to write, create, and explore ways to get their stories on paper. Details here.

Thurber House Summer Writing Camp: Grades 2–9. See dates and offerings here.

Looking for more events? Find future events on the current program calendar.

Visiting Thurber House

Open to the public on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 1:00–4:00 pm. Admission is $5 per guest. Take a self-guided tour anytime during business hours. Guided tours are available for no additional charge on select days. Feel free to call or email (at least two days) prior to your planned visit to confirm the tour schedule.

Free parking is available via street parking along the Jefferson Ave oval. There is a 3 hour limit between 8 am – 6 pm, no limit after 6 pm or on Sundays. 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.

Free visitor parking is available in the small lot directly behind Thurber House, accessible off 11th Street. There is no time limit as long as you are visiting Thurber House. Don’t park in other lots. You’ll be subject to towing.

Thurber House
77 Jefferson Avenue
Columbus, OH 43215

Find more literary events below

Family-Friendly Thurber Barbecue at Historic Green Lawn Cemetery

Saturday, August 9, 2025 from 6 pm – 7:30 pm

Gather at the Grand Gazebo at Green Lawn Cemetery—nestled under 200‑year‑old trees across Ohio’s second‑largest cemetery (325 acres), established 1849.

Enjoy a family-friendly evening honoring humorist James Thurber—take in a picnic dinner from City Barbeque, live music, and dramatic readings of Thurber favorites like “The Night the Ghost Got In” and “The Dog That Bit People.” Join guided tours of the Thurber family gravesite and view the Muggs statue, representing Thurber’s mischievous Airedale terrier.

Tickets: Available for event only or event + dinner