Ashland Mystery Fest Returns for Fourth Year With 15 Authors and 60+ Events
The Ashland Mystery Fest is set to take place from October 8-11 for its fourth consecutive year, showcasing 15 cozy mystery writers, two audiobook narrators, and over 60 events across 50 local businesses. Established by Ellie Alexander, the festival seeks to immerse fans in the real-life settings of her Bakeshop Mystery series. Katharine Cato from Travel Ashland is at the helm of the event, with assistance from Pam Hammond of Paddington Station. The Historic Ashland Armory will serve as the venue for author panels, workshops, and mystery dinners. Featured author Jenn McKinlay will host a watch party for the Hallmark Channel. Attendees from 27 states are anticipated, with an average visit lasting four to five days. Lead sponsors include OSF and Paddington Station. Jim Flint's article was published by Ashland.news on September 24, 2026.
Key facts
- Ashland Mystery Fest runs Oct. 8-11 in its fourth year, having begun in 2023
- The 2025 edition features 15 cozy mystery authors, two audiobook narrators, more than 60 events and over 50 participating businesses and organizations
- Ellie Alexander created the festival as an interactive fan experience tied to her Bakeshop Mystery series, set in an Ashland-inspired world since 2014
- Katharine Cato, director of Travel Ashland, serves as lead organizer with Alexander and Pam Hammond of Paddington Station
- The Historic Ashland Armory is the festival hub, hosting seven author panels on Friday and Saturday
- Featured author Jenn McKinlay hosts a Friday Hallmark Channel watch party for the adaptation of her novel Paris Is Always a Good Idea
- Attendees travel from more than 27 states, many for the first time, with an average stay of four to five days
- A Blackstone Publishing audio studio tour was canceled due to construction, but producer Jesse Bickford joins a Saturday audio panel
Entities
Artists
- Tina Connolly
- Ellie Alexander
- Katharine Cato
- Eryn Scott
- Pam Hammond
- Allison Victoria-Wolfe
- Jenn McKinlay
- Jesse Bickford
- Jim Flint
Institutions
- Ashland Mystery Fest
- Travel Ashland
- Ashland Chamber of Commerce
- Historic Ashland Armory
- Paddington Station
- Rogue Writers Collective
- Bloomsbury Books
- Blackstone Publishing
- Hallmark Channel
- Ashland Springs Hotel
- Escape Ashland
- Lovejoy's Tea Room
- Oregon Shakespeare Festival
- Rogue Valley Metaphysical Library
- Jackson County Library Services
- Friends of the Ashland Public Library
- Project A
- Intently Collaborative
- Ashland.news
- Oregon ArtsWatch
- Mix Bakeshop
- Websters
- Mt. Ashland
Locations
- Ashland
- United States
- Oregon
- Rogue Valley
- Jackson County
- Southern Oregon
- Paris
- France