In Old Town Bay St. Louis, the Rest of October Runs on Sign-Up Sheets

Cruisin' the Coast hits its peak in Bay St. Louis this weekend. After it leaves, the town's two biggest October events ask you to join in. BOO in the Bay on October 17 is a parade made of registered golf carts, Jeeps and classic cars. Witches Walk on October 23 and 24 is a free street party with contests for registered, costumed witches. Paw Fest falls on the Wednesday between them, and a new seafood deck on the water is serving all month.

Here is the second half of October in Old Town, in order, with what each event asks of you.

This weekend still belongs to the cars

Cruisin' the Coast runs October 4 through 11, 2026, and Bay St. Louis is one of its downtown venues, with live bands Thursday through Saturday, October 8 to 10. The headliners play at Hollywood Casino. The official schedule lists Candlebox on Friday, October 9, at 7 p.m. On Saturday, October 10, also at 7 p.m., Bag of Donuts plays a free concert, followed by fireworks.

That Saturday is also Second Saturday in Old Town and the Depot District. The Hancock County Chamber lists it from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with merchant and restaurant specials and live music. That means the monthly shopping day and the busiest Cruisin' night share the same streets. If you're going to a shop on Main Street, go early, because the fireworks crowd arrives in the evening.

On Sunday the classic cars head home. A week later, a different kind of procession rolls through.

October 17: a parade built from golf carts, Jeeps and classic cars

The 7th annual BOO in the Bay Parade starts at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, in Old Town, with 128 Main St. as its listed address. Organizers call it the largest costumed Halloween event on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. They expect more than 1,000 costumed riders on decorated golf carts, Jeeps and classic cars, along with dance teams, marching groups and Halloween characters on foot.

Those three vehicle types are the only ones allowed. You register by unit, and only golf carts, Jeeps and classic cars qualify. The parade FAQ lists more rules:

• Vehicles must be decorated and riders must be in costume.
• No political themes and no unauthorized business advertising.
• One unit or trailer per registration order.
• The number of entries is capped.

New this year, Choppa Style returns as grand marshal and will perform his upcoming song "Full Moon" during the parade. The parade is also the filming location for the song's official music video, and organizers are encouraging creative costumes in case the cameras catch you.

The 2026 route was not posted in any source we reviewed. Last year's parade started on Bookter Street and ended on Main Street, but treat that as history, not a map for this year. Check boointhebay.com for the route before you pick a curb.

The Wednesday in between

Paw Fest and Volunteer/Resource Fair is on Wednesday, October 21, at the Train Depot Grounds, 1928 Depot Way. The Rotary Club of Bay St. Louis is hosting, and it supports Friends of the Animal Shelter. Plans include pet adoptions, live music, food vendors, raffles and local businesses.

Before you take time off work, know that the listings disagree on the hours. The Hancock County Chamber listing says 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Shoofly Magazine calendar says 5 to 9 p.m. Confirm with the organizers before you go.

The volunteer fair also fits the theme of the month. For the third time in October, the event on the calendar is something you can join, not just watch.

October 23–24: Witches Walk, with more for registered witches this year

The Old Town Merchants Association calls Witches Walk a free street party, open to the public. To enter the games and contests, you have to register. Pre-registration at $18 closed September 30. On-site registration on October 23 and 24 costs $25 while supplies last.

Three parts of the registration package are new this year:

1. A Friday night welcome party at Cuz's, for registered witches only, from 6 to 8 p.m. on October 23. The listed address is Cue Street at Main Street.
2. An official Witches Walk cup that gets you discounted "witches brews" at participating bars and restaurants.
3. Overall costume winners announced on the main stage, which is open all day Saturday at Main and Cue.

Registration also includes a canvas tote, entry to all five costume contests, a Wingo card with witch cash prizes, and discounts around town. The five contests are Best Costume, Best Broom, Best Shoe, Best Wand and Best Hat. The individual and group Best Costume contest is at 10 a.m. Saturday at Social Chair. The Chamber lists Saturday's events from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The money supports Old Town small businesses through the nonprofit merchants association.

Here are the two costume weekends side by side:

Where October weekends end up on the water

On weekends, part of the October crowd heads to the Hollywood Casino waterfront. The Seafood Shack at Hollydeck Bar & Marina opened by October 2. Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast says it is one more addition to a deck that has already been expanded and has added boat slips. General manager Barry Regula described the menu to WLOX:

"We're boiling shrimp, we're boiling crab craws, we're char-grilling oysters, and we're using local Gulf shrimp. We get it from local purveyors like Bradley's."

Regula calls the month "Decktoberfest," with rotating Seafood Shack specials every Saturday and Sunday through October. That covers both costume weekends. The Sunday after BOO in the Bay and the Sunday after Witches Walk each come with a weekend special by the marina.

Longfellow Market, at 3168 Longfellow Drive, held its ribbon cutting on September 26. The Chamber describes it as an indoor marketplace for handmade and hand-finished goods from independent vendors, including gifts, home décor, art, accessories and specialty items. It's new enough that the October events above are its first Halloween season.

After Halloween: November 14 and the building going up on Beach Boulevard

When the costumes are put away, the calendar settles back into its monthly routine. The next Second Saturday in Old Town and the Depot District is November 14, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

A future stop for weekend outings is already underway at 105 N. Beach Boulevard. In February, WXXV reported that the former real estate office there had been demolished to make way for Bay Play, a four-story arcade. WLOX reported that co-owner Miles Corbitt is partnered with Jordan and Field Nicaud. The first three floors are planned as arcade space and the fourth as an upscale bar. Both stations said the owners expect to open in 2027. We found no update on construction or a firm date since February.

Our office is in Old Town, so we're on Main Street for all of this, from the parade on the 17th to the main stage on the 24th. If you see a well-decorated golf cart or a good hat contest, send it our way. The team at HL Raymond Properties loves telling the stories of the people who make Bay St. Louis what it is. Discover Gulf Coast Living.