Michael Jackson’s original red-and-black leather jacket from the Thriller music video and the rhinestone-covered glove he wore during his first televised moonwalk are returning to auction in December 2026. The two iconic pieces of entertainment history will be offered by Julien’s Auctions as part of its upcoming Celebrity & Pop Culture Experience in Abu Dhabi. The glove carries an estimated value of $600,000 to $800,000, while the jacket could potentially exceed $10 million. Both items previously achieved record-breaking sales, adding to the anticipation surrounding their return.
Michael Jackson’s Thriller jacket and moonwalk glove returning to auction
According to Julien’s Auctions, the original Thriller jacket and the glove worn during Jackson’s performance at Motown 25 are among 4 significant items from his career being offered in December. The sale will also feature the black leather loafers he wore in the Thriller music video and the shoes associated with his televised moonwalk debut.The auction house announced the upcoming sale on 7 October 2026, describing the collection as a group of objects that helped shape music, fashion and popular culture. The items are returning to the auction market after nearly two decades, giving collectors another opportunity to acquire pieces associated with defining moments in Jackson’s career.The Michael Jackson: The Fashion Legacy evening auction is scheduled for 7 December at the Rosewood Abu Dhabi. A further day auction will take place on 8 December, forming part of the wider 3-day Celebrity & Pop Culture Experience.
Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ Jacket. Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
How the rhinestone glove became a piece of music history
The glove is closely associated with Jackson’s performance of Billie Jean during the 1983 television special Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever. During the performance, he introduced the moonwalk to a worldwide television audience, creating one of the most memorable moments in modern pop music.The single white glove, decorated with sparkling rhinestones, became an instantly recognisable part of his stage appearance. Its connection to the performance has given it significance beyond its physical design, linking it to a moment that helped establish Jackson as a global entertainment icon.Africanews reported that Julien’s Auctions expects the glove to fetch between $600,000 and $800,000. Executive director Martin Nolan explained that the estimate reflects the item’s previous sale and the potential competition among international bidders.The glove was last sold at Julien’s Auctions in November 2009, when Hong Kong businessman Hoffman Ma acquired it for a reported $430,000. The auction house has also cited a figure of $420,000 before the buyer’s premium when discussing the earlier transaction. Its return to the market comes after years of public interest in the piece.
What makes the original Thriller jacket so valuable
The red-and-black leather jacket first appeared in Jackson’s 1983 Thriller music video, which helped redefine the music video as a form of cinematic entertainment. Designed by Deborah Nadoolman Landis, the garment featured exaggerated shoulders, a distinctive V-shaped silhouette, silver buckles and red silk lining.According to Julien’s Auctions, the jacket was created to give Jackson a strong visual presence on screen. Its striking shape complemented the choreography, making the outfit as memorable as the music and dance sequences themselves.The jacket also helped spark a fashion trend during the 1980s. Julien’s Auctions notes that replicas became popular among young fans, with both authorised and unauthorised versions appearing on the market. The look remained closely associated with Jackson throughout his career, inspiring variations created for his later live performances.The original jacket has an important auction history of its own. It sold for approximately $1.8 million in 2011, setting a record for a jacket sold at auction. Africanews reported that Julien’s Auctions now believes the piece could sell for more than $10 million. But the auction house has not published a formal estimate for the jacket in its latest announcement.
The jacket carries a personal connection to Jackson’s costume designers
Beyond its place in music history, the jacket has a personal story connected to Jackson’s longtime costume designers, Michael Bush and Dennis Tompkins.Jackson brought the original garment to the designers and asked them to create a pattern that would allow similar jackets to be made for future performances. He had apparently expected the process might require them to damage the original, but they managed to reproduce its design without destroying it.Pleased with their work, Jackson gave them the jacket as a gesture of appreciation. The inside lining bears a personal inscription addressed to Bush and Dennis, while the sleeve carries another message signed by the singer.
International exhibitions are bringing the memorabilia to fans
Before the December auction, selected items from the collection are travelling to several locations for public previews. Julien’s Auctions unveiled the highlights in Los Angeles on 7 October before taking a selection to Japan.According to MJVibe, the exhibition at Hankyu Umeda Main Store in Osaka ran from 9 to 12 October 2026. Around 50 selected objects associated with Jackson and Princess Diana were displayed, offering visitors a closer look at memorabilia scheduled for upcoming sales.The original Thriller jacket and the moonwalk glove were among the principal attractions. Other items included Jackson’s Thriller music video loafers and a distinctive illuminated jacket from his 1988 Bad Tour.MJVibe reported that the Bad Tour jacket, featuring built-in lights, illuminated again for the first time in 38 years. Costume designer Michael Bush attended the exhibition to discuss the garment and its history.Further previews are planned for Los Angeles, New York, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi. The final exhibition will take place ahead of the December auctions at the Rosewood Abu Dhabi, giving international visitors an opportunity to see the objects before bidding begins.