2019 Thriller and Halloween Parade Information
photo credit: Dean Holt
Halloween Festival and ParadeThis 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 will culminate with the Halloween Parade and Thriller reenactment. New to the parade this year is the Monster Mash-up Flash Mob. 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, is brought to you by Lexington Parks & Recreation, Mecca Live Studio and WRFL.
DetailsSunday, Oct. 27, 2019
4 – 8 p.m.
Free
Downtown Lexington
Events will take place at several downtown locations
Schedule
Once again, the Wicked Wonders Market is returning to the Courthouse Plaza to host sellers of ghoulish wares designed to thrill, chill and delight. This singularly bizarre bazaar will take place before the Halloween and Thriller parade, from 4 – 8 p.m. The following performances will coincide with the spooky-themed art market. Click below to apply as an artist or food vendor.
Food vendor application
Artist vendor application
Halloween parade
The Halloween parade, Thriller reenactment and Monster Mash-up Flash Mob will feature zombies, ghosts, superheroes, villains and costumed characters of all kinds.
What are you going to be for Halloween? Walk in the parade and 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.
New this year, Parks & Recreation will be judging the fair and giving awards for the Most Creative, Best Entertainment, Best In Show, Most Magical and Best Costumed Characters 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 – we want everything decorated or everyone in costume.
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; expect the pressing of outside agendas to be frowned upon, unless deployed with humor, ingenuity and within the spirit of the event. Also, no commercial/marketing only entries will be permitted.
Parade zombie dancersBecome a zombieBoth children and adults can participate as zombies in the event. All zombie dancers MUST register online or in-person at any scheduled rehearsal by Saturday, October 19.
Cost:
Ages 13 & over | $15
Ages 7 – 12 *| $10
*Note: Must have a registered co-participant who stays and is responsible for the child during the dance.
For more information about Thriller, contact Sarah Buckles at sbuckles@lexingtonky.gov or (859) 425-2057.
Rehearsal details & scheduleAll rehearsals will be held at Artworks at the Carver School, 522 Patterson Street, Lexington, KY. Participants are required to attend at least one regular rehearsal and one staging rehearsal.
For more information about Thriller, contact Sarah Buckles at sbuckles@lexingtonky.gov or (859) 425-2057.
Monster Mash-up Flash Mob
Join the flash mob
Children, 8 years of age and over, and adults can participate in the flash mob. All participants MUST register online or in-person at any scheduled rehearsal by Saturday, October 19. Individuals may only register to participate as a zombie or as a part of the flash mob but not both.
Cost:
Ages 13 & over | $10
Ages 8 –12* | Free
*Note: Must have a registered co-participant who stays and is responsible for the child during the dance.
Rehearsal details & schedule
All rehearsals will be held at Artworks at the Carver School, 522 Patterson Street, Lexington, KY.
Saturdays, 3-4pm *Monster Mash Flash Mob Rehearsals (Oct 5, 12, 19, 26)
For more information about the Monster Mash-up Flash Mob, contact Sarah Buckles at sbuckles@lexingtonky.gov or (859) 425-2057.
This event, which has been named a top 10 Halloween destination by USA Today, is brought to you by Lexington Parks & Recreation, Mecca Live Studio and WRFL.
DetailsSunday, Oct. 27, 2019
4 – 8 p.m.
Free
Downtown Lexington
Events will take place at several downtown locations
Schedule
- Tween/Teen Crafternoon: Halloween make-up (2 – 3 p.m.)
Lexington Public Library, Central Branch – Atrium
Prepare for the downtown Lexington Thriller and Halloween Parade with spooky style! We will provide Halloween make-up and tricks for a scary style only a ghoul could love. For tweens and teens. While supplies last.
- Wicked Wonders Art Market (4 – 8 p.m.)
Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza
A spooky-themed art market featuring vendors from across the region. - Halloween Variety Show (4:30 – 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, SCAPA, the March Madness Marching Band and many more. - Halloween Parade (starts at 6:30 p.m.)
Main Street from Quality and Mill streets
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. New to the parade this year is the Monster Mash-up Flash Mob which is open to all skill levels. Participants in the Monster Mash-up are invited to dress up in their favorite ghoulish costume. Pedestrians can watch all along the parade route. Rain date for the parade and Thriller is Monday, Oct. 28, 2019, at the same time.
Once again, the Wicked Wonders Market is returning to the Courthouse Plaza to host sellers of ghoulish wares designed to thrill, chill and delight. This singularly bizarre bazaar will take place before the Halloween and Thriller parade, from 4 – 8 p.m. The following performances will coincide with the spooky-themed art market. Click below to apply as an artist or food vendor.
Food vendor application
Artist vendor application
Halloween parade
The Halloween parade, Thriller reenactment and Monster Mash-up Flash Mob will feature zombies, ghosts, superheroes, villains and costumed characters of all kinds.
What are you going to be for Halloween? Walk in the parade and 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.
New this year, Parks & Recreation will be judging the fair and giving awards for the Most Creative, Best Entertainment, Best In Show, Most Magical and Best Costumed Characters 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 – we want everything decorated or everyone in costume.
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; expect the pressing of outside agendas to be frowned upon, unless deployed with humor, ingenuity and within the spirit of the event. Also, no commercial/marketing only entries will be permitted.
Parade zombie dancersBecome a zombieBoth children and adults can participate as zombies in the event. All zombie dancers MUST register online or in-person at any scheduled rehearsal by Saturday, October 19.
Cost:
Ages 13 & over | $15
Ages 7 – 12 *| $10
*Note: Must have a registered co-participant who stays and is responsible for the child during the dance.
For more information about Thriller, contact Sarah Buckles at sbuckles@lexingtonky.gov or (859) 425-2057.
Rehearsal details & scheduleAll rehearsals will be held at Artworks at the Carver School, 522 Patterson Street, Lexington, KY. Participants are required to attend at least one regular rehearsal and one staging rehearsal.
- Regular rehearsals: Sept. 30 – 19, 2019
- Staging rehearsals: Oct. 21 – 26, 2019
- Mondays and Wednesdays, 6 – 7 p.m. (registration and check-in: 5:30 – 6 p.m.)
- Saturdays, 2 – 3 p.m. (registration and check-in: 1:30 – 2 p.m.)
- Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019: Zombie make-up tutorial following rehearsal
For more information about Thriller, contact Sarah Buckles at sbuckles@lexingtonky.gov or (859) 425-2057.
Monster Mash-up Flash Mob
Join the flash mob
Children, 8 years of age and over, and adults can participate in the flash mob. All participants MUST register online or in-person at any scheduled rehearsal by Saturday, October 19. Individuals may only register to participate as a zombie or as a part of the flash mob but not both.
Cost:
Ages 13 & over | $10
Ages 8 –12* | Free
*Note: Must have a registered co-participant who stays and is responsible for the child during the dance.
Rehearsal details & schedule
All rehearsals will be held at Artworks at the Carver School, 522 Patterson Street, Lexington, KY.
Saturdays, 3-4pm *Monster Mash Flash Mob Rehearsals (Oct 5, 12, 19, 26)
For more information about the Monster Mash-up Flash Mob, contact Sarah Buckles at sbuckles@lexingtonky.gov or (859) 425-2057.
