A zombie walk is an organized public gathering of people who dress up in zombie costumes. Zombie walks have become relatively common in large cities, especially in North America, often becoming annual traditions, though some are also spontaneous “flash mob” events or performance art.  Many zombie walks in the United States have been “hunger marches”, whereby the intention is to raise awareness on the issue of world hunger.

Usually taking place in an urban center, the participants make their way around the city streets and through shopping malls to a public space in a somewhat orderly fashion. During the event participants are encouraged to remain in character as zombies and to communicate only in a manner consistent with zombie behavior. This may include grunting, groaning and slurred, moaning calls for ‘brains’. Zombie behavior is a hot topic of debate.

The earliest zombie walk on record was held on 19 August 2001 in Sacramento, California. The event, billed as “The Zombie Parade” was the brain-child of Bryna Lovig, who suggested it to the organizers of The Trash Film Orgy as a way to promote their annual midnight film festival. It was held again on 27 July 2002, and has since become an annual event, drawing over 1000 participants in 2012.