For the first time in years, Leesburg’s beloved Halloween Parade won’t be marching down King Street on Halloween night.
The Kiwanis Club of Leesburg announced today that the annual event will instead take place on Thursday, October 30 at 6 p.m. The change is meant to give families more breathing room between the parade and trick-or-treating, which remains on Friday, October 31.
“We want families to be able to enjoy both events without feeling rushed,” said Kiwanis Club President Kim Thompson. “This way, you can do the parade one night and go trick-or-treating the next.”
This isn’t just any parade—it’s one of the oldest Halloween parades in the eastern United States, going strong since 1957. And for a lot of Loudoun locals, it’s as much a fall tradition as pumpkins and apple cider. Expect the usual mix of floats, marching bands, local clubs, spooky costumes, and loud cheers.
Participation is free and open to the public, but groups must register online by Friday, October 24. Just like in years past, the parade doubles as a food drive. Participants are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations to benefit Loudoun Hunger Relief, which will be collecting items at the sign-in area at Ida Lee Park field. You can find their most-needed items list at loudounhunger.org.
If you’ve got questions or want to register a group, email Kim Thompson at kim@leesburgkiwanis.org or visit the official site: https://k04757.site.kiwanis.org.
The Halloween Parade is one of those rare traditions in Loudoun that has survived decades of growth and change. For many of us who grew up here, it’s not just a parade—it’s a thread connecting generations of families and neighbors.
