Halloween Festival and Thriller Parade

This annual tradition has become a local must-do event as Halloween enthusiasts of all ages descend on downtown Lexington to celebrate the season. Lexington’s largest free Halloween party will kick off with Halloween-inspired art and performances and culminate with the Halloween Parade and Thriller reenactment. Food and beverage vendors will be onsite serving up good eats and treats.

This event, which has been named a Top 10 Halloween Destination by USA Today and was featured in the Top 25 Best Halloween Festivals Across the U.S. by Oprah Magazine, is brought to you by Lexington Parks & Recreation, Mecca Live Studio and WRFL. This event is free to the public.

POSTPONED TO NOV. 5 - 2023 Schedule – Oct. 29, 2023

UPDATE: The annual Thriller Parade and Halloween Variety Show has moved to the fairgrounds at Masterson Station Park Nov. 5, 2023 due to rain on the original date. The Halloween Variety Show featuring local performance groups will take place at 4 p.m. followed by the Thriller parade beginning at 5 p.m. Local food and drink vendors will begin at 2:30 p.m.

4 p.m. | Halloween Variety Show 
5 p.m. | Thriller Parade 

Halloween Variety Show

UPDATE: The annual Thriller Parade and Halloween Variety Show has moved to the fairgrounds at Masterson Station Park Nov. 5, 2023 due to rain on the original date. The Halloween Variety Show featuring local performance groups will take place at 4 p.m. followed by the Thriller parade beginning at 5 p.m. Local food and drink vendors will begin at 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 29 | 5 – 6 p.m.
Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza

Curated by Mecca Live Studio, this stage show features a DJ spinning spooky tunes and Halloween-inspired performances by Lexington area arts groups such as Mecca, Dance Attack, Traci Stone Dance Studio, the March Madness Marching Band and many more.

Halloween Parade

UPDATE: The annual Thriller Parade and Halloween Variety Show has moved to the fairgrounds at Masterson Station Park Nov. 5, 2023 due to rain on the original date. The Halloween Variety Show featuring local performance groups will take place at 4 p.m. followed by the Thriller parade beginning at 5 p.m. Local food and drink vendors will begin at 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 29 | 6:30 – 7 p.m.
Main St. (between Quality St and Mill St.)

What are you going to be for Halloween? Before the Thriller reenactment, we hold a parade that is a celebration of all things Halloween! Join us in the parade to show off your creativity and Halloween spirit!

Parade Participation

Members of the community are invited to submit parade entries, (costumed characters, performances, floats, etc.) displaying their creativity and festive family fun.  There is no charge for costumed characters and entertainers to walk in the parade.

Entry fees for floats, community groups and businesses range from $25 – $150. 

Parade organizers judge the parade and give awards for the most creative entries!

Halloween parade application

Disclaimer: While the parade applauds all forms of free expression, it is not a political rally or a commercial opportunity. The focus here is Halloween fun; all entries should exhibit creativity and ingenuity with humor and the spirit of the season. Also, no commercial/marketing only entries will be permitted – the goal is to have everything decorated or everyone in costume.
 

Goo Goo Muck Flash Mob

Get creepy and kooky, mysterious and spooky and all together ooky! Channel your inner Wednesday for a flash mob recreation of her viral Rave'N Ball dance in the Halloween Parade down Main St. Must attend at least rehearsal to participate. Click the link below to register.

Goo Goo Muck registration

Thriller Parade

UPDATE: The annual Thriller Parade and Halloween Variety Show has moved to the fairgrounds at Masterson Station Park Nov. 5, 2023 due to rain on the original date. The Halloween Variety Show featuring local performance groups will take place at 4 p.m. followed by the Thriller parade beginning at 5 p.m. Local food and drink vendors will begin at 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 29 | 7 – 9 p.m.
Main St. (between Quality St and Mill St.)

The festivities culminate with the annual Thriller reenactment where several hundred zombies will dance, dawdle and drag themselves down Main Street to the classic Michael Jackson tune. Pedestrians can watch all along the parade route.

 

Thriller Zombie Dance Lessons

Various dates and times
Artworks at the Carver School

Become a zombie for the night! Both children and adults can participate as zombies in the Thriller reenactment. The Thriller Parade will be Sunday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. downtown Lexington on Main Street.

Cost

New dancers:
Ages 13 and over | $16 including tax (scholarship rate: $8)
Ages 7 – 12* | $11 (scholarship rate: $6)
*Note: Dancers younger than 12 must be accompanied by an adult dancer.

Returning dancers: 
Ages 13 and over | $8 including tax 
Ages 7 – 12* | $6 

All zombie dancers must register online or in person at any scheduled rehearsal by Saturday, Oct. 21. Participants must attend at least one dance rehearsal and one staging rehearsal from the following dates and times:

Dance Lesson Times (minimum one required)

Mondays: Oct. 2, Oct. 9, Oct. 16 | 6 – 7 p.m. (register/check-in: 5:30 – 6 p.m.)
Wednesdays: Oct. 4, Oct. 11, Oct. 18 | 6 – 7 p.m. (register/check-in: 5:30 – 6 p.m.)
Saturdays: Oct. 7, 14, 21 | 2 – 3 p.m. (register/check-in: 1:30 – 2 p.m.)

Staging Rehearsal Times (minimum one required)

Monday: Oct. 23 | 6 – 7 p.m. (check-in: 5:30 – 6 p.m.)
Wednesday: Oct. 25 | 6 – 7 p.m. (check-in: 5:30 – 6 p.m.)
Saturday: Oct. 28 | 2 – 3 p.m. (check-in: 1:30 – 2 p.m.)

Register

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