Downtown Lexington filled with costumes, music and enthusiastic spectators Sunday night for the city’s annual Thriller Parade.

Hundreds gathered along Main Street to watch zombie dancers and Michael Jackson-inspired performers take part in a Halloween tradition that has lasted more than twenty years.

The signature group performance remains one of the festival’s most recognizable moments.

Food, vendors and other live entertainment added to the atmosphere as families and friends spent the evening downtown.

The event also offered a reminder of how Lexington’s seasonal celebrations can bring residents together across neighborhoods and generations.

For longtime attendees, the performance is a familiar part of the October calendar.

For newcomers, the sight of a street full of synchronized zombies can be an unexpected introduction to the city's personality.

Some spectators left considering whether they might participate as dancers next year.

The 2026 parade has already taken place, so it should be remembered as a weekend highlight rather than promoted as an upcoming event.

Local businesses and vendors also benefited from the crowds and activity surrounding the festival.

The parade continues to be one of Lexington’s distinctive community traditions.