Have you lately been asking yourself, “what should I do for Halloween in Lexington?” Ace can help. Here’s our list of the best Halloween events in and around Lexington:
Fright Nights at Jacobson Park: This Fall, Jacobson Park offers three haunted attractions spread over 40 acres of land. “Entrapment” challenges your senses as you creep along blindly into dark corners. “13 Doors” dares you to find out what kinds of creatures hide behind door you open. “Dark Forest” takes you on an adventure through the shelters of the demented Willow Family. Fright Nights are open each Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through November 2, starting at 7:30 pm.
The Nightmare Haunted House: In the mid 50s, Doctor Colin Sheppard was at top of his career as surgeon at Mercy Hospital. But that summer, the storms came. As the storms reached biblical proportions, flash floods trapped the doctors, patients, and families inside the bending, breaking building. Once closed and condemned, Mercy Hospital is now open for the first time in 62 years and invites you to see what’s inside. Open through November 1 at Wicked World Scaregrounds on Tates Creek Road.
Mary Todd Lincoln House Cemetery Walking Tour: Features historic monuments and graves, including those of the Todd family. Covers Lexington’s most famous cemetery, focusing on Civil War history. There is a tour every Sunday from October 5 to October 26.
Whispering Woods Haunted Trail (Georgetown): On October 11, 18, 25, and 31, take a ride on a wagon into the forest. The first wagon ride leaves at 8 pm, the last at 10 pm.
Kentucky Reptile Zoo Slithering Halloween Sssssspooktacular (Slade, KY): On Sunday, October 11, the Kentucky Reptile Zoo hosts Halloween-themed zoo tours, games, and arts & crafts.
Spooky Treasure and Rotten Egg Hunt: On October 18, at 1 pm, the Headley-Whitney Museum hosts a scavenger hunt for spooky treats all over the Museum grounds.
Haunted Train Ride (Versailles): On October 24 and 25, the Bluegrass Scenic and Railroad Museum hosts a Haunted Halloween Train Ride at 8 pm. The ride lasts 90 minutes and covers 11 miles of Central Kentucky horse farms.
Treat or Treat!: On October 25, Pax Christi Catholic Church hosts “Treat or Treat,” a day of inflatables, train rides, firetruck tours, and live music performances. The festival will last from 9 am – 2 pm and proceeds will go to the Ronald McDonald House and the Lexington Humane Society.
2014 Thriller & Halloween Parade: The Thriller Parade is back in town on Sunday, October 26, at 8 pm. Zombies return to downtown Lexington as the city gets ready to celebrate Halloween by recreating Michael Jackson’s legendary music video. The dance occurs repeatedly along the route followed by the Halloween parade. Festivities include a variety show before the parade and an after party at the Cheapside Pavilion. The Rain date is Monday, October 27. For participation instructions, contact Mecca Live Studio at 859.254-9790.
Pumpkin Mania: The traditional Lighting of the Pumpkins at Old Morrison at the (appropriately named) Transylvania University is October 27.
Disturbia at the Distillery (Frankfort): October 30 and 31, Buffalo Trace Distillery hosts ghost tours starting at 6 pm, followed by the Bluegrass Mystery Theatre starting at 7. Guests are invited to a three course meal as they try to figure out “who did it”. The event winds down around 9 pm; guests vote on who they think the guilty party is and have a chance to win prizes.
Night of the Great Pumpkin (Harrodsburg): October 31, from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. Downtown merchants and businesses will be giving away candy to children 12 and under. Starting at 5 pm, all downtown streets will be closed, making it safe for children to Trick-or-Treat. Studio G will present the “Thriller Dance” thrice, starting at 7 pm. Studio G performers will roam the downtown, entertaining participants throughout the event area.
Halloween Weekend (Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill): On October 31 and November 1, there is a special Halloween celebration at the Shaker Village. There are Shaker Strolls every hour on the hour from 6 – 9 pm, and trick-or-treating along the turnpike from 5 – 7 pm.
Devine’s Corn Maze “Field of Horror” (Harrodsburg): October 31 and November 1, at 7:30 pm. Your nightmares come alive. Get lost in the dark with the rustling corn, but stay alert around every corner. Jason, Freddy, Saw, the Exorcist, and more may be waiting.
Day of the Dead: On November 1, from 5 – 9 pm, the Living Arts & Science Center presents the 9th annual Day of the Dead Festival. The fest will include live music and dance, traditional food, hands-on crafts, art exhibits, a gallery talk, a candlelight parade, and an altar exhibition in the Old Episcopal Burying Ground.
Terror on Tates Creek: Ivan Darkwood, a carnival barker in the 1930s, was left for dead under mysterious circumstances. The terror on Tates Creek invites you to explore the old woods near the site of his death. There are rumors that a man in a top hat with an evil grin still roams the old woods. Could it be Darkwood himself seeking revenge? Open through November 1 at Wicked World Scaregrounds on Tates Creek Road.
Fright Nights at the Farm: There are two tractor-pulled terrors at 3898 Haley Rd. In “Zombie Paintball Hayride,” you have an opportunity to pay back the monsters by using paintball guns mounted on swivels on a hayride trailer.. “Haunted Hayride” takes you on a ride deep into the dark hills of the farm. Open each Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through November 2, starting at 7:30 pm.
At the (scary) Movies:
This month’s Director’s Series at the Farish Theatre inside the central Library downtown features Hitchock.
Oct 2 Alfred Hitchcock’s The Man Who Knew Too Much 7 pm
Oct 7 Alfred Hitchcock’s Notorious 7 pm
Oct 8 Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo 7 pm
Oct 21 Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho 7 pm
October’s Midnight Movies at the Kentucky Theatre are a chilling lineup:
Oct 3: The Exorcist
Oct 4: The Exorcist
Oct 10: Nosferatu
Oct 11: Nosferatu
Oct 17: Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Oct 18: Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Oct 24: Halloween
Oct 25: Halloween
Oct 31: Rocky Horror
Nov 1: Rocky Horror
On Stage:
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street: On October 4-5 and 8-12, the UK Opera Theatre presents Sweeney Todd at the Lexington Opera House.
“Death Comes Knocking” – Governor’s Mansion (Frankfort): On October 23, from 6:30 – 8:30 pm, Bluegrass Mystery Theatre presents Jeff Roberts’ “Death Comes Knocking.” It is a dark and stormy night at the Kentucky Governor’s Mansion for four strangers. At the bid of an unknown sender, they arrive to meet their blackmailer. They have all been paying to keep their deep, dark secrets exactly that. Now their secrets are in danger of being exposed, ruining their careers and reputations. Hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and drinks included with the show.
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