Lexington, Kentucky, October 27, 2025
The annual ‘Thriller’ Parade in Lexington, Kentucky, showcases a vibrant celebration of Halloween, drawing thousands of residents and visitors to enjoy community performances and creative displays. With a history dating back to 2002, the parade has become a cherished tradition, featuring participants dressed as zombies reenacting Michael Jackson’s iconic dance. The event, alongside various festive activities, reflects the city’s commitment to fostering civic engagement and pride.
Lexington’s ‘Thriller’ Parade: A Highlight of Community Spirit
Annual Halloween Festivities Bring Residents Together
Lexington, Kentucky – On Sunday, October 26, 2025, downtown Lexington transformed into a lively celebration of Halloween with the city’s annual ‘Thriller’ Parade and various festivities. This vibrant event attracted thousands of residents and visitors, marking a significant highlight in the community’s seasonal calendar and showcasing the power of local initiative to foster civic engagement.
The day opened with the Halloween Variety Show at 4:45 p.m., where a DJ spun spooky tunes accompanied by performances from local arts groups, including Mecca Live Studio, Dance Attack, Traci Stone Dance Studio, and the March Madness Marching Band. This showcase effectively set the tone for the evening’s main events, emphasizing the importance of community talent and collaboration.
Parade Highlights and Community Participation
At 6:30 p.m., the Halloween Parade started, welcoming participants to express their creativity and embrace the Halloween spirit. The parade route extended along Main Street, from Quality to Mill streets, creating a festive atmosphere for both participants and spectators alike.
The evening peaked with the eagerly awaited ‘Thriller’ Parade from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Several hundred participants dressed as zombies danced and marched down Main Street to Michael Jackson’s iconic “Thriller” tune. This reenactment has become a cherished tradition in Lexington, drawing crowds from near and far to witness this captivating spectacle. The involvement of local residents not only celebrates the classic music video but also reinforces community bonds.
The Growth of a Beloved Tradition
Since its inception in 2002, the ‘Thriller’ Parade has grown into one of Lexington’s most loved Halloween traditions. The event has gained national recognition, having been named a Top 10 Halloween Destination by USA Today and included in Oprah Magazine’s list of the Top 25 Best Halloween Festivals Across the U.S. Its popularity illustrates how a simple idea between friends can evolve into a large-scale community celebration that benefits local engagement and tourism.
The parade’s origins trace back to a casual conversation among friends who envisioned a street performance of the “Thriller” music video. Over the years, it has developed into a community-wide event, with participants of all ages coming together to partake in the festivities. This growth highlights the benefits of local leadership and individual initiative in creating and organizing events that enhance community pride.
Additional Festive Activities for Family Enjoyment
In addition to the main events, Lexington hosted numerous other Halloween-themed activities throughout the month. Notably, the Jack-o-lantern Trail at McConnell Springs Park featured hundreds of hand-carved pumpkins lighting up the night, alongside campfires, s’mores, live owls, and seasonal food and beverages. This family-friendly experience provided enjoyable activities throughout the Halloween season, further contributing to the community atmosphere that defines Lexington.
Concluding Thoughts on Civic Engagement
Overall, the 2025 ‘Thriller’ Parade and related Halloween festivities in Lexington successfully merged entertainment, civic engagement, and seasonal cheer. Such events solidify the city’s reputation as a vibrant center for cultural and festive activities. As local residents and visitors bond over shared experiences, they will undoubtedly contribute to fostering a sense of community pride and collective achievement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ‘Thriller’ Parade in Lexington?
The ‘Thriller’ Parade is an annual Halloween event in Lexington, Kentucky, where participants dress as zombies and perform a reenactment of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video, marching down Main Street to the iconic tune.
When did the ‘Thriller’ Parade begin?
The ‘Thriller’ Parade began in 2002 and has since become a cherished tradition in Lexington, attracting thousands of participants and spectators each year.
What other Halloween activities were held in Lexington?
In addition to the ‘Thriller’ Parade, Lexington hosted the Jack-o-lantern Trail at McConnell Springs Park, featuring hundreds of hand-carved pumpkins, campfires, s’mores, live owls, and seasonal food and beverages, providing a family-friendly Halloween experience.
Key Features of the ‘Thriller’ Parade and Halloween Festivities
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Event Name | ‘Thriller’ Parade and Halloween Festivities |
| Date | October 26, 2025 |
| Location | Downtown Lexington, Kentucky |
| Main Event | ‘Thriller’ Parade featuring zombie reenactment of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video |
| Additional Activities | Halloween Variety Show, Halloween Parade, Jack-o-lantern Trail at McConnell Springs Park |
| Attendance | Thousands of residents and visitors |
| Recognition | Named a Top 10 Halloween Destination by USA Today, featured in Oprah Magazine’s Top 25 Best Halloween Festivals Across the U.S. |
Now Happening on X
- @MayorGorton (October 24, 2025, 10:23 AM): Announcing the upcoming nationally-recognized Halloween Festival and Thriller Parade, highlighting the collaborative efforts of local parks, dance groups, and radio to create a fun community celebration. View on X
- @wuky (October 26, 2025, 10:44 AM): Sharing excitement for Lexington’s beloved Thriller Parade, set to dance through downtown on Sunday evening, building anticipation for the spooky tradition. View on X
- @MayorGorton (October 24, 2025, 10:23 AM): Inviting everyone to watch zombies reenact Thriller, enjoy Halloween-inspired art and performances from 4-9 p.m. downtown, emphasizing family-friendly festivities. View on X
- @MifflinCottage (October 27, 2025, 2:46 AM): Celebrating the magic of the 2025 Thriller Parade, describing it as a spellbinding display of dancing zombies that resurrected community fun and spirit in Lexington. View on X
- @lexdispatch (October 20, 2025, 9:00 AM): Highlighting the Uptown Lexington Boo Bash Spooktacular, offering more than just candy with a range of family activities for Halloween celebrations. View on X
- @UnitedWayBG (October 20, 2025, 7:52 PM): Promoting a community Trunk or Treat event on October 23, featuring candy, treats, and games at 651 Perimeter Drive to bring families together during spooky season. View on X
- @DossRaines (October 20, 2025, 7:01 AM): Noting that this year’s Uptown Lexington Boo Bash Spooktacular goes beyond candy, packed with engaging Halloween fun for residents to enjoy. View on X
- @ShermStu_2 (October 11, 2025, 2:17 AM): Thanking hosts for an incredible Spooktober Fall Fest with hayrides, a haunted house, pumpkin patch, and dancing, described by some as a generational Halloween party in the area. View on X
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Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
