Pittsburgh, the Zombie Capital of the World, has given life to the undead. Home of the original Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, and many other classics have helped to create and expand the span of zombies in every imaginable way. George A. Romero, the man who began the zombie genre, made Pittsburgh his muse for the undead and his lasting legacy. Even in the wake of the great creator’s death, Pittsburgher’s refuse to let this unique creators memory or imagination pass immortalizing their gorey place in cinema history and the man who made it all possible through various annual events, preservation of the history,  film landmarks and memorabilia, and even a museum which sole purpose is to celebrate and commemorate zombies in film and culture. If you want to learn more about some of the must-visit zombie locations in Pittsburgh see my article here: https://betweenoddityandserenity.com/2022/06/14/a-zombie-lovers-guide-to-pittsburgh-pennsylvania/.  


Of all the events that celebrate zombies in Pittsburgh the most anticipated and beloved is the annual Night of the Living Dead Weekend held in the Monroeville Mall, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Each year there is a different specialized theme which varies including the anniversary of certain living dead films. For fans of the original Dawn of the Dead film the Monroeville Mall, will be quite familiar since it is where the original filming took place. This three-day event offers fans of the various incarnations of the Night of the Living Dead films to take part in various panels and photo ops with cast members, see props from the original films, learn horror makeup techniques, shop zombies and all things horror, tour the mall that helped put zombies in the mainstream, and much more.


One of the most exciting of the activities at this event is the panel which allows fans to interact with famous horror legends such as Tom Savini and Tony Todd, they discuss everything from different horror techniques to behind the scene stories of what it was like during the various filmings of classic zombie films. For those who want to meet their icons, there are various photo ops and meet-and-greet opportunities that allow you the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet these titans of gore one-on-one. 


Maybe blood and gore is a little more your thing? Dressing as a zombie is completely acceptable if not encouraged during this undead fest so wear your best costume and bring out the gore! Living Dead Weekend also gives visitors the opportunity to learn more about the art of horror makeup artistry. With artists on hand to show you different techniques and did I mention that the famous Tom Savini is there? What is better than to speak about horror makeup with the Godfather of Gore?!


For those interested in learning more about the history of zombies in cinema and experiencing the past a little bit more hands-on the Living Dead Museum is a must-stop while at Living Dead Weekend. Located on the second floor of the Monroeville Mall, this museum pays tribute to all things undead, with original props and memorabilia from popular zombie classics such as Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead, Evil Dead, the Crazies and so many more. Some of my favorite fixtures are the radio from the night of the living dead which plays the broadcast from the original film and the zombie in the military poisonous waste tank. If you have a passion for the undead then this is a must-visit location.


If you are looking to add your zombie memorabilia collection, this is the place to be. From films, custom shirts, and props, to unique attire and housewares there is no better place to get your zombie gear than the Living Dead Weekends. Both professional artists and amateurs alike sell their wares at this popular event, giving you the opportunity to buy some pretty unique pieces to add to your collection. I was able to snag a couple of Night of the Living Dead shirts and a Pittsburgh Zombie Capital of the World shirt which I am excited to add to my ever-growing collection of zombie attire. 


For the fans of the undead, this festival is a unique opportunity to celebrate the genre which has captivated generations and helped bring horror to the front line of entertainment.