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Tarkov Halloween Event 2026 Brings Zombies Back with Two Infected Maps
5 min read
Quick summary: The Tarkov Halloween event 2026 went live on October 29 with patch 1.3.0.0. Zombies roam the regular maps, and two event locations, The Infected Lab and Infected Factory, sit in their own map tab with small groups only and no insurance. A new questline lets you either enforce the quarantine on normal maps or push into the infected zones for vaccine components. The rewards are an exclusive event poster, achievements and in-game resources.
The Tarkov Halloween event is back, and this year it's a full zombie outbreak. A virus has spread across Tarkov, the infected are smarter and nastier than in past events, and two event-only maps turn The Lab and Factory into quarantine zones. KingBoost runs Escape from Tarkov services all wipe long, and this guide covers everything in the 2026 event, from the new maps to the questline and the Arena slasher mode.
When is the Tarkov Halloween event 2026
| Detail | Halloween 2026 |
|---|---|
| Start | October 29, 2026 |
| Patch | 1.3.0.0 |
| Season | Season 1, Kord Breach |
| Theme | Zombie outbreak and quarantine |
| Event maps | The Infected Lab and Infected Factory |
| End date | Not announced |
There's no end date yet. Past Halloween events ran for roughly two weeks, so plan to finish the questline early rather than counting on extra time.
Zombies are back on every map
| Infected type | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Fast infected | Sprint straight at you and punish slow reactions |
| Slow infected | Shamble in groups and soak up ammo |
| Ranged infected | Attack from distance, so cover matters even against zombies |
| Infected Tagilla | Returns with his scythe and hits as hard as ever |
| Infected Black Division | Infected operatives that are far tankier than regular zombies |
Infected enemies now wander the regular Tarkov maps, and they're tougher than in 2024. Each type behaves differently, and they've learned to ambush.
Night raids are more dangerous too, with Cultists far more active after dark. Bring armor, a high capacity magazine and plenty of ammo, since zombies come in numbers. Aim for the head to drop them fast.
The Infected Lab and Infected Factory
| Map | What it is |
|---|---|
| The Infected Lab | A quarantine version of The Lab, overrun by the infected |
| Infected Factory | A quarantine version of The Old Factory, packed with zombies |
The heart of the outbreak sits in two event-only locations in a separate map selection tab.
Both maps use their own event matchmaking. Only small groups can queue, and insurance is disabled, so anything you bring in is gone if you die. The tradeoff is better rewards than the regular maps and the key story progress of the event.
Bring a kit you're happy to lose. A solid mid tier loadout with good ammo usually beats a full meta build that's too expensive to risk without insurance.
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The Halloween questline
| Path | What you do | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Enforce the quarantine | Kill infected on the regular Tarkov maps | Moderate |
| Hunt for the vaccine | Push into The Infected Lab and Infected Factory for vaccine components | High |
The new questline gives you a choice about how to fight the outbreak.
The quarantine path is the safer route for players who want event progress without risking a kit in an uninsured map. The vaccine path is faster for confident players and tied more closely to the event story.
Halloween 2026 rewards
- An exclusive event poster for your Hideout.
- Commemorative achievements for completing the story questlines.
- Valuable in-game resources from quests and infected kills.
The poster and achievements are tied to the event, so they're a must for collectors before it ends.
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Escape from Tarkov | Halloween Event Quests
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Bloodlust, the Arena Halloween mode
| Bloodlust bonus | Value |
|---|---|
| XP for matches and kills | Doubled |
| Battle Pass progress | 1.5x |
| Special questline reward | Mask Off achievement |
| Extra prizes | Cash rewards |
Escape from Tarkov Arena gets its own Halloween mode, Bloodlust, based on CheckPoint. Two teams of five wear masks inspired by classic horror movie killers and fight with knives and blunt weapons only.
The double XP makes Bloodlust the fastest way to push Arena progress while the event runs.
Other changes in patch 1.3.0.0
- Autumn weather now covers Tarkov.
- Small item colliders are larger, making loose loot easier to pick up.
- New high-difficulty PMC bots make some PvE locations harder.
The Unity 6 engine upgrade that was expected with this patch has moved to 1.3.5.0 in mid November.
Every Tarkov Halloween event so far
| Year | Start date | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | October 27 | Tagilla with a scythe on every map and Cultists on every map except The Lab |
| 2023, Part 1 | October 26 | Scythe Tagilla on Factory and The Lab, plus pumpkin helmets |
| 2023, Part 2 | October 30 | The Zryachiy ritual and Vengeful Zryachiy |
| 2024 | October 31 | A zombie infection spreading from The Lab, with 23 event quests |
| 2026 | October 29 | A full outbreak with The Infected Lab, Infected Factory and a quarantine or vaccine questline |
2026 is the biggest zombie event yet, combining the 2024 infection with event-only maps and new infected types.
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What to do first
- Pick your questline path before your first raid, quarantine for safer progress or vaccine for speed.
- Build a few budget kits for the uninsured infected maps.
- Stock up on ammo and meds, since zombies come in numbers.
- Aim for the head to save ammo and time.
- Avoid night raids on regular maps unless you're ready for extra Cultists.
- Play Bloodlust in Arena for double XP and the Mask Off achievement.
- Finish the questline early, since there's no announced end date.
The Halloween event lands in the middle of the wipe, when most players are juggling quests, Hideout upgrades and money. Escape from Tarkov boosting covers quests, leveling and roubles, and the EFT Starter Pack gives a fresh character the level, money and Flea Market access to afford all those kits you'll lose in the infected maps.
FAQ
WHEN DOES THE TARKOV HALLOWEEN EVENT 2026 START?
It started on October 29, 2026 with patch 1.3.0.0.
WHEN DOES THE TARKOV HALLOWEEN EVENT END?
No end date has been announced. Past Halloween events ran for about two weeks.
ARE ZOMBIES BACK IN TARKOV IN 2026?
Yes. Fast, slow and ranged infected roam the regular maps, along with Infected Tagilla and infected Black Division operatives.
WHAT ARE THE INFECTED LAB AND INFECTED FACTORY?
They're event-only quarantine versions of The Lab and The Old Factory in a separate map tab. Only small groups can enter, and insurance is disabled.
IS INSURANCE DISABLED IN THE TARKOV HALLOWEEN EVENT?
Only on The Infected Lab and Infected Factory. Regular maps work as normal.
WHAT ARE THE TARKOV HALLOWEEN 2026 REWARDS?
An exclusive event poster, commemorative achievements and valuable in-game resources from the questline and infected kills.
WHAT IS BLOODLUST IN TARKOV ARENA?
A Halloween melee-only mode for two teams of five, with double XP, a 1.5x Battle Pass bonus, cash rewards and the Mask Off achievement.
DOES KINGBOOST OFFER TARKOV SERVICES DURING THE HALLOWEEN EVENT?
Yes. KingBoost covers Escape from Tarkov quests, leveling, roubles and starter packs throughout the wipe.
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