Thousands of Zombies Roll Through Key West in Frightful Fashion

FLORIDA KEYS VIDEO ADVISORY October 19, 2026

Contacts: Chad Newman, Chad@fla-keys.com (310) 283-8441 or Mary B. Haban, Mary@fla-keys.com (305) 394-3142

Story: Thousands of Zombies Roll Through Key West in Frightful Fashion

Locator: Key West, Fla.

Usage: HANDOUT / RIGHTS CLEARED (Unlimited Broadcast & Digital)

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Photo Captions Below

Video: Aerials and B-roll footage of costumed "zombies" riding bikes, scooters and custom-built contraptions through Key West, Fla., during the annual Zombie Bike Ride. Close-ups of costumes inspired by this year's "Musical Icons and Iconic Musicals" theme, wide shots of the "bicycling dead" pedaling from the Atlantic Ocean into Old Town Key West. Natural sound of cheers and music.

Technical Data:

TRT: 2:20

Filename: KeyWestZombies.mp4

Audio: Nat. Sound - Stereo Mix

Credit: Florida Keys News Bureau (Screen credit appreciated, not mandatory)

NOTE TO EDITORS/PRODUCERS: Below is the lineup of Florida Keys News Bureau video coverage for upcoming events for the rest of this week, with corresponding feed dates and delivery times. Separate advisories will be distributed before each feed.

Thursday, Oct. 22, by 11 a.m.: Fantasy Fest Pet Masquerade from Wednesday evening, Oct. 21. A fan-favorite event at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater, the Pet Masquerade features costumed dogs, cats and other domestic companions on stage with their owners. Entries include pet-and-person duos and themed group skits that highlight Key West's playful spirit. Proceeds benefit the Monroe County Sheriff's Office Animal Farm.

Friday, Oct. 23, by 11 a.m.: 43rd Annual Headdress Ball from Thursday night, Oct. 22. An iconic Fantasy Fest showcase at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater, the Headdress Ball features stunning, hand-crafted headdresses modeled by their creators and accompanied by high-energy performances from some of the island's top entertainers.

Saturday, Oct. 24, by 11 a.m.: Captain Morgan's Masquerade March from Friday evening, Oct. 23. This exuberant walking parade through Key West's historic Old Town draws several thousand merrymakers wearing glittering masks, body paint and costumes inspired by the "Musical Icons and Iconic Musicals" theme. Revelers stop along the route at guest houses for music, photos and refreshments.

Sunday, Oct. 25, by 11 a.m.: Deep Eddy Vodka Fantasy Fest Parade from Saturday night, Oct. 24. The festival's grand finale features dazzling floats, marching groups and costumed participants bringing the "Musical Icons and Iconic Musicals" theme to life before tens of thousands of spectators along Duval and Whitehead streets.

Thousands of Zombies Roll Through Key West in Frightful Fashion

KEY WEST, Fla. (October 19, 2026) — Traffic was a nightmare in Key West Sunday night.

But the drivers weren’t the problem.

Thousands of zombies took to the streets for the annual Zombie Bike Ride. A four-mile spectacle of creepy costumes, creative contraptions and characters straight out of the crypt.

The undead rolled down the streets of Key West on bicycles. Scooters. And just about anything else with wheels.

Their route? A leisurely ride by the Atlantic Ocean. Past Smathers Beach. Through Old Town. And straight into the heart of Key West.

And this year, the zombies brought a little music to the madness.

With Fantasy Fest celebrating “Musical Icons and Iconic Musicals,” the zombie invasion took on a whole new cast of characters.

From “Little Shop of Horrors” to “Grease” and a tribute to AC/DC, there was no shortage of creative costumes. Others kept it old-school. Tattered clothes. Ghastly makeup. Fake blood. And faces only a mother zombie could love.

And the spectacle wasn’t just for those on wheels. Throngs of spectators lined the route to cheer and celebrate with the riders.

The four-mile fright fest ended downtown. But nobody was ready to call it a night.

The zombies kept the party rolling at ZombieFest, taking over Duval Street for an after-party that was anything but dead.

What began more than 15 years ago as a homegrown collaboration between WeCycle Bike Shop and Wonderdog Studios has grown into a Fantasy Fest week tradition all its own. Recent rides have attracted more than 7,000 zombies.

And the festival is far from over.

Fantasy Fest keeps the party going through Sunday, October 25. Ten days of masquerade parties, outrageous costumes, street fairs and only-in-Key-West revelry.

Up next? Wednesday’s Pet Masquerade. Thursday’s 43rd Annual Headdress Ball. And on Friday, Captain Morgan’s Masquerade March.

The grand finale hits Saturday night with the Deep Eddy Vodka Fantasy Fest Parade. Elaborate floats. Eye-popping costumes. And tens of thousands of spectators expected to pack Duval Street.

Because in Key West, even the dead know how to live it up.

For a full schedule of events, visit fantasyfest.com.

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