14 Not-Too-Scary Halloween Events for Lexington Kids (2026)

Trunk-or-treats, costume parades, spooky-but-sweet storytimes and free library parties across the Bluegrass this October.

Updated September 28, 2026 · 14 picks

October fills up fast around here, so we pulled together the Halloween happenings that actually work for families with little ones trunk-or-treats in church parking lots, costume parades at the orchard, magic shows at the library and a downtown parade you can watch from the curb. Most land in the two weeks before Halloween, with several stacked on Saturday, October 17 and 24.

A practical tip: pick one big weekend event and one low-key weeknight one. Costumes get worn many times in October, so choose something your kid can walk, sit and use the bathroom in and toss a jacket in the wagon, since evening events cool off quickly.

1.Lexington Halloween Variety Show, Halloween Parade & Thriller Parade
Free
Downtown Lexington's signature Halloween night out, with a variety show plus the Halloween and Thriller parades on October 25. It's free, so it's an easy yes for families who'd rather watch than trick-or-treat.
Sun, Oct 25
2.MSPC Trunk or Treat at Maxwell Street Presbyterian
This near-downtown church hosts its trunk-or-treat October 17\u201319, with decorated car trunks handing out candy. A classic low-key option for younger kids who find haunted houses too much.
Sat, Oct 17
3.Trunk-or-Treat Fall Festival at Bethesda Tabernacle
Free
A free trunk-or-treat and fall festival on East Tiverton Way on October 24. Costumes, candy and festival fun in one stop.
Sat, Oct 24
4.Trunk or Treat at Goldfish Swim School
The Nicholasville Road swim school puts on its own trunk-or-treat on October 16 \u2014 a nice pick if your family already knows the place from lessons or the public family open swims.
Fri, Oct 16
5.Trick-or-Treating + Costume Parade at Eckert's Versailles Orchard
Eckert's wraps up its fall season with trick-or-treating and a costume parade on October 25. Pair it with the orchard's hayrides and Pumpkin Jamboree weekends earlier in the month.
Sun, Oct 25
6.Trick or Treat at Shaker Village
Early bird tickets available through Oct 19
Harrodsburg's historic Shaker Village hosts trick-or-treating on October 23 and 24 \u2014 a scenic, gentle alternative to spookier attractions. Early bird tickets are available through October 19.
Fri, Oct 23
7.Halloween Dance with Costume Contest at Kenwick Community Center
Kenwick throws a Halloween dance with a costume contest on October 26, in the same spirit as its regular family game nights. Bring the costume your kid is proudest of.
Mon, Oct 26
8.Not-So-Spooky Halloween Stories at Tates Creek Branch
Free
Exactly what the name promises: mild Halloween tales for the youngest listeners on October 7 at the Tates Creek library branch. Free, indoors and short enough for preschool attention spans.
9.Halloween Preschool Storytime & Trick-or-Treating (Ages 3\u20136)
Free
Scott County Public Library in Georgetown combines a Halloween storytime with trick-or-treating on October 22, aimed squarely at ages 3\u20136. Free admission.
Thu, Oct 22
10.Halloween Fest at the Berea Branch Library
Free
The Berea library's free Halloween Fest on October 17 includes a magic show among the day's activities. Worth the drive if you're already heading south.
Sat, Oct 17
11.Halloween Festival at the Richmond Branch Library
Free
Richmond's library hosts a free Halloween festival on October 17, with a magic show on the schedule too. A good rainy-day backup plan.
Sat, Oct 17
12.Halloween Comes to Christ Church Cathedral: A Visit with the Saints
This downtown Episcopal cathedral pairs Halloween with a kids' All Saints' and All Souls' celebration on October 25. A thoughtful, not-scary take on the season.
Sun, Oct 25
13.Treats on Main in Downtown Wilmore
Wilmore closes out the month with Treats on Main on October 31, a downtown trick-or-treat gathering along Main Street. Walkable and small-town friendly.
Sat, Oct 31
14.Lexington Trick-or-Treat Night
Free
The main event: citywide trick-or-treating on the night of October 31. Free, and the one your neighborhood will be out for.
Sat, Oct 31