Events

LAKELAND, FL –The streets of downtown Lakeland will fill with zombies and zombie hunters Oct. 12 – World Zombie Day.

About 15,000 people are expected to do their scariest, most gruesome zombie garb for The Shallow Grave ZombieFest, which runs 3-10 p.m. and includes a bigger and badder lineup of music, food, games and all-around creepy fun.

Participants are encouraged to pick a side – zombie or zombie hunter - and dress the part. Professional makeup artists and costume designers will be available to perform on-site zombification, too.

This year’s event features: an amped-up kids’ zone with less scary details, more food, new vendors, scare zones (mini haunted houses) and a concert headlined by Lakeland’s SmokePoint.

“Outbreak Wristbands” can be purchased at the event for $15. These limited supply wristbands get their purchasers ZombieFest perks, such as one free entrance to each scare zone, and immediate discounts at various Downtown Lakeland retail, restaurants and bars that last through Oct. 31.

“When you come to ZombieFest, don’t leave your common sense at home,” says Tiffany Logan, executive director of the Downtown Lakeland Partnership. “When it comes to props, don’t bring things that look like real guns, and leave the pitchforks and shovels at home. Know your children’s scare threshold, as the atmosphere becomes more adult-oriented as the evening progresses.”

Like the Downtown Lakeland Facebook page and visit the event’s website Downtownlakelandzombies.com periodically to get all the juicy details as they are leaked, including the complete band lineup, maps, parking information and more.