Santa Claus has been bitten by a zombie, and apparently nobody at TWIX is interested in finding a cure.
Zombie Claus is back for the second year of TWIX Hallowmas, the candy brand’s attempt to mash Halloween and Christmas together into one very strange holiday season. This year’s celebration includes a new TWIX Skulls candy, $20,000 in prizes and the return of its undead Santa, who will be making appearances throughout October before heading to New York City on Halloween.
The idea behind Hallowmas is pretty simple. TWIX has two bars, so Mars decided two holidays should be better than one, too. That gives us Zombie Claus, a reanimated version of Santa who brings candy instead of presents and looks considerably worse for wear after his encounter with the undead.
He’s also judging a contest this year.
Beginning October 5, fans can submit photos and videos showing off their own version of Hallowmas. TWIX will award $5,000 for the entry showing the most Hallowmas spirit and another $5,000 for the best Zombie Claus look-alike. One grand prize winner will receive $10,000 and what the company describes as plenty of TWIX.
Zombie Claus may even respond to some of the entries as he takes over the brand’s social accounts during October. The contest runs through November 8 and is open to legal U.S. residents 18 and older.
Anyone hoping to meet him in person will have a chance on Halloween. Zombie Claus is heading to Williamsburg in New York on October 31, where TWIX says he’ll reverse the usual trick-or-treat routine by taking to the streets and handing out candy himself. More details about where and when he’ll appear will be announced through TWIX social channels.
There’s new candy involved this year as well. TWIX Skulls join the returning TWIX Ghoulish Green and TWIX Fun Size as the seasonal lineup for Hallowmas. The new Skull candies keep the familiar TWIX combination of cookie and candy but reshape it for Halloween.
Hallowmas debuted last year with Zombie Claus as its mascot, giving TWIX an excuse to start mixing Christmas imagery into Halloween before October is even over. For 2026, Mars is leaning even further into the character rather than treating him as a one-off seasonal gag.
“Hallowmas is rooted in the same belief that has always defined TWIX: when two things come together, they create something even better,” –Allison Miazga-Bedrick, Vice President of Marketing, Seasonal Portfolio at Mars, said in announcing Zombie Claus’ return.
Whether Halloween actually needed an undead Santa is probably beside the point. He’s here, he’s carrying TWIX, and someone is going to make $10,000 dressing like him.
