Spooky Springs — A Halloween Weekend in Ocean Springs
There’s something about October in Ocean Springs that feels like it was made for mystery — the rustle of oak leaves, the soft glow of porch lights, and the sound of music drifting from downtown as the Gulf breeze rolls in. When fall settles over the Coast, the air cools just enough to make you want to stay out a little later, laugh a little longer, and maybe believe in ghosts again.
Whether you’re visiting for the weekend or looking to play tourist in your own town, here’s how to do Halloween the Ocean Springs way — lively, local, and just the right amount of spooky.
Friday: Arrive and Unwind
Check in to one of the charming stays featured on Rain Travel Collection — each offering its own slice of coastal comfort:
The Roost Boutique Hotel, The Beatnik, The Inn of Ocean Springs, The Springs Hotel, The Hemingway, and Gulf Hills Hotel & Resort, home to The Sunset Bar with its famous golden-hour glow.
Ease into the evening with craft cocktails and a soft start to your weekend at The Lady May — where the drinks are elegant, the music mellow, and the setting pure Ocean Springs charm.
Then wander downtown for a relaxed dinner at Mosaic Tapas Bar, where laughter spills into the street and the live music carries you straight into the weekend.
Saturday: Witches, Music & Midnight Stories
Start your day slow. Grab a coffee and a pastry from District Coffee Co. or stroll through the Ocean Springs Fresh Market, open every Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. under the shade of the oaks.
As evening falls, the town transforms for the Witches Ride of Ocean Springs — happening this year on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 6 p.m. Hundreds of locals take to the streets in costume, tossing candy, cheering, and celebrating.
After the ride, head to Murky Waters BBQ & Blues for smoky comfort food and a side of live music. It’s the kind of place where the beer is cold, the food’s messy in the best way, and the band plays just loud enough to make you forget what time it is.
If you’re still up for one last drink, make your way underground to The Julep Room, tucked beneath Aunt Jenny’s Catfish Restaurant. It’s one of the Coast’s most storied bars — a dimly lit hideaway once rumored to be frequented by Al Capone himself.
And if you’re driving home the long way, take a quiet detour down Lovers Lane. Locals whisper that a young woman, heartbroken after her sailor never returned from war, still wanders that stretch of road — her figure seen beneath the moss-draped oaks, waiting for someone who never came home. Whether you believe it or not, the air there feels different — still, heavy, and full of old stories.
Sunday: Slow Mornings & Sweet Goodbyes
Sleep in — you’ve earned it. Then make your way to The Tatonut Donut Shop, a true Ocean Springs classic. Order a donut (or two), sip your coffee, and watch as the morning unfolds at an unhurried pace.
If your weekend lines up just right, close it out with Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics at The Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center — a moody concert by candlelight that feels like the perfect final note to a spirited weekend.
Plan Your Stay with Rain Travel Collection
When the oaks start to turn and the nights cool off, there’s no better time to experience the soul of Ocean Springs.
Browse Rain Travel Collection to find your perfect stay — from the historic charm of Gulf Hills Hotel & Resort to boutique favorites like The Roost, The Beatnik, The Springs, and The Hemingway.
Whichever one you choose, you’ll be steps away from the music, the laughter, and the kind of Halloween weekend that could only happen in Ocean Springs — where even the ghosts have good stories to tell.