This weekend’s 7th annual New Jersey Zombie Walk takes on a great matter - Grey Matter, that is - with their current focus on spreading awareness of brain cancer. Last year, the Zombie Walk gathered roughly 9,500 zombies, reclaiming the Guinness World Record, and this year the walk aims to gather even more zombies while raising awareness for a good cause. Read further for more information on how they are saving your braaaaiinnsss...

Show up early! The festivities begin at 10 AM on October 4th, with the actual walk starting at 4 PM. Zombies will gather on the Asbury Park Boardwalk in full costume. They will begin lurching down the Boardwalk, towards the Carousel House. From there, they will turn and head up Cookman Avenue, shambling towards the Downtown and Press Plaza. At 6 PM, the main stage events and Zombie Street Fair begin! See below for more on the day’s events, or visit this location.

 

 

Raising awareness of brain cancer: The dead aim to save the living by concentrating on keeping New Jersey educated about brain cancer, specifically by focusing on benefiting select local programs. This year’s campaign will benefit Camp Jinka, a free summer program for children and teenagers whose lives have been impacted by brain cancer. This amazing retreat encourages a connection with others who are experiencing similar life altering events. All the kids of Camp Jinka are residents of New Jersey and each camper brings with them a different story. Some are fighting a brain tumor themselves, others are trying to help a parent through treatment, some are survivors, but all of them are strong fighters! Donate to Camp Jinka here.

Why the brain cancer focus? Sadly, NJZW’s very own Co-Director, Mariel, aka Zombie Momma, lost her Mom to brain cancer after a courageous two year fight. In lieu of Zombie Momma’s devastating loss, she discovered Camp Jinka and felt an immediate connection with the kids of the camp. She soon learned they are funded purely on donations. With the help of our undead army we can achieve the impossible. Remember, as zombies, if we can catch it... we kill it!

 

 

In addition to waging the war on cancer, this year’s walk has a few new surprises for our beloved undead community: The Grey Matters Auction Tent.

The tent will be a major Zombie Walk hotspot! The Premier Theatre Company of Asbury Park is sponsoring a Tricky Tray fundraiser with ALL proceeds going to Camp Jinka!  Sheets of 25 tickets will be on sale for $10. And the prizes? You wouldn't believe how amazing… check out the New Jersey Zombie Walk site for a list of donors!

Haunted Hall at 5 PM! There is a new horror in town and it’s called Haunted Hall. Townsquare Media is proud to present a new haunted attraction filled with twists, turns, surprises, and all things that go bump in the night. NJZW is excited to bring its loyal army this demo of Haunted Hall. Pricing is $8 for zombies and $15 for the living survivors. Be sure to come back any time after October 10th to get the full haunted experience. It’s the undead’s turn to fear the darkness.

 

 

Click here to purchase Haunted Hall tickets.

Blood Red Fireworks at 7:45 PM! After you stumble your way downtown in search for brains, just after sunset, the sky will rain blood. A red fireworks show will take place right on Asbury Park’s beach. Make sure you lurk back to the boardwalk because this show was created just for our zombies!

The annual raucous will proceed as it does every year with some returning events such as the Undead Festival, a bazaar of the bizarre. This year’s New Jersey Zombie Walk will feature 50+ vendors and artists who are dedicated to all things horror, bringing you spooky goods to take home. Some of Asbury’s most popular restaurants and shops will be offering zombie-friendly menus, dinner specials, and discounts.

Coming from out of town? The New Jersey Zombie Walk is partnering with local hotels to get the best rates possible for zombies coming to the Undead Festival! There are so many things lined up for this year you're not going to want to miss a single moment of the fun!

Holiday Inn Express and Suites

3510 Route 66, Neptune, NJ 07753

732-922-9600

Holiday Inn Express and Suites

294 Route 36, West Long Branch, NJ 07764

732-542-1234

To learn more about other activities at the New Jersey Zombie Walk, including the Move For Hunger’s Zombie Food Drive, the Central Jersey Blood Center’s Zombie Blood Drive, professional FX Zombie makeovers, and more, head here.