More than 30 years after Michael Jackson’s groundbreaking video first aired, zombies and the non-dead still come together in downtown Lexington to celebrate Halloween by re-creating Thriller.
Photo by Amy Wallot
The annual Halloween Festival and Thriller Parade 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 will culminate with the Halloween Parade and Thriller reenactment. Food and beverage vendors will be onsite serving up good eats and treats.
FREE
2022 Schedule
- Halloween Variety Show
Saturday, Oct. 22 | 5:30 – 6:30 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 and Thriller Parade
Saturday, Oct. 22
Halloween Parade | 7 p.m.
Thriller Parade | 7:30 p.m.
Main Street starting at Quality and Mill Street
Following the variety show is the Halloween Parade featuring floats, costumed characters, and even more performance groups. 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. The rain date for the parade and Thriller will be Oct. 30.
Halloween parade
The Halloween Parade and Thriller reenactment and will feature zombies, ghosts, superheroes, villains and costumed characters of all kinds.
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! 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!
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.
Thriller parade zombie dance lessons
Become a zombie for the night! Both children and adults can participate as zombies in the Thriller reenactment.
Cost
Ages 13 and over | $15
Ages 7 – 12* | $10
*Note: Must have a registered co-participant who stays and is responsible for the child during the dance.
Become a zombie for the night! Both children and adults can participate as zombies in the Thriller reenactment. The Thriller Parade will be Saturday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. downtown Lexington on Main Street.
Cost
Ages 13 and over | $15
Ages 7 – 12* | $10
*Note: Dancers younger than 12 must be accompanied by an adult dancer.
All zombie dancers must register online or in person at any scheduled rehearsal by Saturday, Oct. 15. Participants must attend at least one dance rehearsal and one staging rehearsal from the following dates and times:
Dance lessons (minimum one required)
Mondays: Sept. 26, Oct. 3, Oct. 10 | 6 – 7 p.m. (register/check-in: 5:30 – 6 p.m.)
Wednesdays: Sept. 28, Oct. 5, Oct. 12 | 6 – 7 p.m. (register/check-in: 5:30 – 6 p.m.)
Saturdays: Oct. 1, 8, 15 | 2 – 3 p.m. (register/check-in: 1:30 – 2 p.m.)
Staging rehearsals (minimum one required)
Saturday: Oct. 15 | 3 – 4 p.m. (check-in: 2:30 – 3 p.m.)
Monday: Oct. 17 | 6 – 7 p.m. (check-in: 5:30 – 6 p.m.)
Wednesday: Oct. 19 | 6 – 7 p.m. (check-in: 5:30 – 6 p.m.)
Check out other Lexington Parks Halloween events
Freaky Flicks
6:30 p.m. | preshow activities
7:30 p.m. | movie starts
2022 Freaky Flicks schedule
- Oct. 1 | Hocus Pocus – Masterson Station Park
- Oct. 8 | Ghostbusters: Afterlife – Moondance Amphitheater
- Oct. 15 | Addams Family Values – Moondance Amphitheater
Jack-o-lantern Trail
McConnell Springs
Thursday, Oct. 27 | Friday, Oct. 28 | Saturday, Oct. 29 | Sunday, Oct. 30
6:30 – 10 p.m.
Admission | $5 per person at the gate (children 12 and under free)
Halloween Printmaking Workshop
Artworks, 522 Patterson Street
Date coming soon.
Free
Trick-or-treat
Oct. 31
6 – 8 p.m.
Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Festival
More information coming soon.
6:30 – 9 p.m.
