The city of Lexington is known for our amazing fall and Halloween-themed events. The city 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. Looking to celebrate spooky season with us? Check out the list of events and programs below, presented by Lexington Parks & Recreation.
Schedule of 2024 Events & Programs
Click the name below to expand and find out more information about each event or program.
10th Annual Raven 10K – Sept. 29
Raven Run Nature Sanctuary
Sunday, Sept. 29
8:30 a.m. – Noon
Cost: $38 (before Aug. 31) | $50 (after Aug. 31) | $30 (Virtual race)
Join us for the 10th annual Raven 10K Trail Run on the grounds of Raven Run Nature Sanctuary. Our 2024 in-person race will be held on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 9 a.m. There will also be a Raven 10K virtual option for those who want to participate on their own schedule (run/walk your 10K between Sept. 22 and Sept. 29).
Freaky Flicks – Oct. 4, 11 and 18
Fridays, Oct. 4, 11 and 18
6:30 p.m.
Cost: Admission is free
Enjoy family-friendly spooky movies in October. Preshow activities begin at 6:30 p.m. and movies begin at dark. Food trucks will be onsite. Blankets and chairs should be brought for seating.
2024 Schedule
- Oct. 4 | Hocus Pocus (1993) | Masterson Station Park
- Oct. 11 | Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024) | Moondance Amphitheater
- Oct. 18 | Corpse Bride (2005) | Moondance Amphitheater
Story Walk: The Little Ghost Who Lost Her Boo – Oct. 5
McConnell Springs Park
Saturday, October 5
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Enjoy reading this fun story, The Little Ghost Who Lost Her Boo by Elaine Bickell, as a way to ring in spooky season. Story walks are a combination of the fun of a story with the added excitement of a hike through the park. Pages of children's stories will be posted along the trails for a self-guided activity for the whole group. No registration is required and you can go at your own pace.
Pumpkin Patch Classic – Oct. 13
Tates Creek Golf Course
Sunday, Oct. 13
8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Cost: $140 per team or $70 per player (Includes green fee, cart fee, prize money and lunch)
The annual Pumpkin Patch Classic golf tournament returns to Tates Creek Golf Course on Sunday, Oct.13. This 18-hole tournament is open to two-person teams and will be played in a scramble format. Golfers of all ages and skill levels are eligible to participate. Enjoy fun decorations and trophies to match the spooky season!
Fright Night Bingo – Oct. 16
Kenwick Community Center
Wednesday, Oct. 16
5:30 – 7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Ghouls, goblins and grizzly ghasts, it's time for Fright Night Bingo at last! Enjoy a spectacular bingo night at the Kenwick Community Center with a spooky-theme! While the game will remain as usual, come dressed to impress as we get in the spirit of the season with themed decoration and snacks! Spiders, vampires, and zombies to fright, this special occassion will be a spectacular night! See you there!
Carve & Chip'n – Oct. 19
McConnell Springs Park
Saturday, Oct. 19
1 – 5 p.m.
Cost: Bring your own pumpkin
Calling all pumpkin Picassos! Join us at McConnell Springs Park for a Carve & Chip'n event to add pumpkins to this year's Jack-o-lantern Trail! You supply the pumpkin, we'll have tools and stencils, and then will take care of the mess when you're finished. Food trucks will be on-site to grab some yummy grub before or after your carve. All pumpkins will be donated to the Jack-o-lantern Trail which takes place at McConnell Springs Park Oct. 24 – 27. All donors will receive free admission to the trail and a free poster.
Halloween Variety Show and Halloween & Thriller Parade – Oct. 20
Downtown Lexington
Sunday, Oct. 20
4:30 – 9 p.m.
Cost: Admission is free
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 at Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza, then culminate with the Halloween Parade and Thriller reenactment on Main Street. Food and beverage vendors will be onsite serving up good eats and treats. Want to be a zombie in the Thriller reenactment? Click the link below to find out how to join the zombie dance group.
Jack-o-lantern Trail – Oct. 24 – 27
McConnell Springs Park
Thursday, October 24 – Sunday, October 27
Monday, Oct. 28* (*Self-guided, no cost or vendors)
6:30 – 10 p.m.
Cost: $6 per person (children 12 and under free)
Enjoy an enchanting Halloween experience at McConnell Springs featuring hundreds of hand-carved pumpkins as they light up the night. In addition to marveling at the glow of the pumpkins, there will be campfires for roasting marshmellows, live owls from Critters in the Classroom and tasty fall food and beverages. Perfect for all ages, this night hike will be a great event for all.
Show your pumpkin carving skills and take the Pumpkin Pledge to help bring this exciting Halloween experience to the community. We would like at least 1,000 carved pumpkins to make it around the half-mile trail at McConnell Springs, but without you, we have no trail! If you donate the carved jack-o-lantern, Parks will take care of lighting them. People can donate a single pumpkin or groups can plan a special concept pumpkin grouping or sculpture. The sky is the limit for creativity and participation!
Halloween Printmaking Workshop – Oct. 28
Artworks at the Carver School
Monday, Oct. 28
2 – 5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Make an original piece of art and Halloween keepsake to celebrate the season! Beginners receive a mini-lesson that will introduce the printmaking basics while more experienced printmakers can utilize the studio for their creations. Participants can drop in and choose from several precut designs. Ages 6 and up.
Kenwick Haunted House – Oct. 28
Kenwick Community Center
Monday, Oct. 28
6 – 8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Come and brave the fantastically frightful halls of the Kenwick Haunted House! The event will feature a no-contact scare fest as participants brave dark corridors and unseen threats. This year's haunted walkthrough will go through the entirety of the building. Do you have what it takes to make it through? Free to attend, no registration required. Max group size of 5. Groups larger than 5 will be split into smaller groups to ensure safety and quickness for all. Recommended age is 8+, though final decision is left to parent discretion.
Please note: There will be strobe lights featured in one section of the walkthrough. Individuals with light sensitivity and/or a history of light-induced epilepsy are advised to proceed with caution when participating.
Yappy Hour: Howl-o-ween – Oct. 30
Pleasant Ridge Park
Wednesday, Oct. 30
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Admission is free (Donation required to enter costume contest)
You and your dog are invited to a Howloween Party! We will have a pay-what-you-like costume contest ($5 suggested) with winners in several categories including "Greatest DIY" and "Best Overall." Donations go to Friends of the Dog Parks. Locally sourced food trucks, live music, frozen desserts, cold beer, hard cider, and activities will be available for you and your furry best friends. Vendors selling accessories for you and your pup are often present.
Lexington Trick-or-Treat – Oct. 31
Throughout Lexington
Thursday, Oct. 31
6 – 8 p.m.
Day of the Dead Festival – Nov. 2
Moondance Amphitheater
Saturday, Nov. 2
5 – 9 p.m.
Cost: Admission is free
Come join us for our Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Festival! This spirited event will honor the traditional Mexican holiday of remembering loved ones who are no longer with us. We will have food trucks, craft vendors, live music, an Ofrenda contest, fun activities for kids, and much more! We invite you to dress up as a Catrin or Catrina and you are welcome to bring special items to remember your loved ones at the community Ofrenda (decorated altar of remembrance).