Wheels, Wobbles & Wooooo! Zombie Bike Ride Returns to Key West

Key West, Fla. (October 7, 2025) — On Sunday, Oct. 19, Key West’s streets will once again belong to the undead, as thousands of riders take part in the island’s legendary Zombie Bike Ride. As the sun slips beneath the horizon, painted faces, tattered wedding gowns, glowing skeleton suits, and monster masks will roll together in a spectacle unlike any other. What began in 2010 as a quirky pre-Halloween ride has grown into one of the most anticipated highlights of Fantasy Fest, drawing locals and visitors of all ages into the playful spirit of the season. 

The afternoon begins at the historic Fort East Martello Museum on South Roosevelt Boulevard, where the haunted site transforms into Zombieland. Opening at 2 p.m., Zombieland offers food and drink vendors, a bustling Kids Zone filled with bounce houses and activities, and on-site artists ready to paint ghoulish faces and eerie designs for riders. By the time the first wheels hit the road, the transformation is complete, a community of thousands turned into a shambling, wobbling, pedal-powered parade of the undead. 

At 6 p.m. sharp, the ride begins. With a police escort leading the way, the zombie horde pedals from Fort East Martello along the Atlantic shoreline, cruising past Higgs Beach, winding into picturesque Old Town, and finally rolling down the world-famous Duval Street. Cheered on by crowds of spectators, the undead caravan turns the streets into a moving theater of fright and fun, blending Key West’s quirky creativity with Halloween spirit. 

The revelry does not end when the ride concludes. Zombies are invited to gather at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater for the Zombiefest After Party, presented by Rams Head, where DJs and live performers keep the energy soaring into the night. Admission is free, with food and drink vendors fueling the fun. From there, the celebration spills onto Duval Street itself, where the island’s largest zombie party promises to carry on deep into the witching hours. 

New for 2025, Zombieland expands its family-friendly activities, Zombie Bike Ride merchandise is rolling out early with new collectible gear, and WeCycle Bike Shop is offering easy rentals, tune-ups, and advance wristband pick-up from its Old Town and Stock Island locations. With past years drawing crowds of over 7,500 participants, organizers expect this year’s ride, set against the Fantasy Fest theme “Bedtime Stories and Magical Monsters,” to be the biggest and boldest yet. 

Registration is just $10 per rider, which covers permits, police escorts, insurance, and the official event wristband, a keepsake in its own right. Wristbands are available for pick-up during the week before the ride at WeCycle, or on event day at Fort East Martello from 2–6 p.m. Early registration and bike rentals are strongly recommended, as demand is high. 

For many, the Zombie Bike Ride embodies the essence of Key West, a community that comes together to turn ordinary moments into extraordinary memories. From costumed kids pedaling with their parents to groups of friends staggering like ghouls down Duval, it is an event where everyone gets to be part of the story. 

On Oct. 19, 2025, as twilight descends on the island, the undead will ride again. Whether you are pedaling, cheering from the sidelines, or dancing at the after party, one thing is certain, in Key West, even zombies know how to throw a party. 

For event schedules, registration, maps, and Fantasy Fest details, visit zombiebikeride.com and fantasyfest.com. 

High-resolution images, photo credits, and captions are available at this link.   

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