Halloweekends at Ocean Lakes: Your 2026 Haunted Guide
If you’ve never done Halloween at Ocean Lakes, it’s hard to describe until you see it. Hundreds of families decorate their sites and beach houses. Kids trick-or-treat through the campground on Saturday afternoons. Golf carts get pumpkin lights, skeletons, cobwebs, the whole thing. This runs every weekend in October. The 2026 dates are Friday and Saturday of October 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, and 30-31, and the 2026 theme is “Red, White, and Boo” (per Ocean Lakes’ Halloweekends page, https://www.oceanlakes.com/things-to-do/halloween/).
I rent 34 houses inside the campground and Halloweekends is the second-biggest booking window of my year after July. Guests who come once come back. This guide is what I wish first-time Halloweekends families knew before they booked.
What actually happens at Halloweekends?
The short version: every weekend in October, Ocean Lakes turns into a family Halloween festival for the guests staying on property. Site decorating is competitive but not intense. Costumes for kids and adults. Organized events run each weekend. The campground itself is the show.
Specific scheduled activities across the weekends include (per Ocean Lakes’ published Halloween calendar):
– Trick or Treat, every Saturday of the month, 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Kids walk the campground with parents and collect candy from decorated sites.
– Pumpkin Carving and Decorating Contest, Saturday mornings at 9 AM. Prize categories include Scariest, Most Unique, Most Shocking, Funniest, and Best Overall Pumpkin.
– Halloween karaoke and themed face painting, Friday evenings at 7 PM.
– Site decorating contest running across the entire month.
The energy is very family-friendly. This is not haunted-house scary or party-scene loud. Kids in strollers show up in costume. Grandparents do it too.
Why do so many families book Halloweekends specifically?
A few reasons that show up in guest conversations over and over:
– The weather in October in Myrtle Beach is genuinely pleasant. Average highs sit around 73°F with lows around 60°F.
– The campground is decorated end to end. Kids remember it.
– The event is included with your rental. No tickets, no add-ons.
– Rates drop significantly from July prices even though the campground feels alive.
– Repeat guests describe it as their favorite week of the year.
When should I book Halloweekends?
The most popular weekends fill up 4 to 6 months in advance. The Saturday closest to Halloween fills first, then working backward. For future years, book Halloweekends by June for best selection. Book by August for anything at all.
Which Ocean Lakes section is best for Halloweekends?
Site decorating is a real factor for the Halloween experience. Mid-park sections tend to have the highest decorating density because the sites are closer together and more visible from the main campground streets. Oceanfront sections decorate too but you’re farther from most of the foot traffic. Inland sections (3000, 4000) are the quietest, which some Halloween-averse families prefer.
If your goal is maximum Halloweekends immersion, ask for a mid-park property when you book. If your goal is Halloween-adjacent (you want the campground vibe without your kids being kept up by cart traffic), book inland.
What should I pack for Halloweekends?
Standard Ocean Lakes packing list plus:
– Costumes for everyone including adults. You will feel underdressed if you don’t.
– A pillowcase or Halloween tote per kid for Saturday Trick or Treat.
– Warmer layers than you’d pack for summer. Evenings drop into the 50s and 60s in October. Long sleeves, light jackets, sweatshirts for kids.
– Site decorations if you want to compete. Optional but if your kids are into it, string lights, small pumpkins, and inflatable decorations are the standard.
– A camera or your phone charged. You will take more photos in one weekend at Halloweekends than in a whole summer week.
What if we’ve never done Halloween at a campground before?
The most common question I get from first-time Halloweekends families is whether the vibe is “too much.” It isn’t. The scale is family-park, not haunted-house. If your kids are old enough to trick-or-treat in a neighborhood at home, they will thrive at Ocean Lakes Halloweekends. Younger toddlers still enjoy it because of the visuals and the walking-around energy.
For families with older kids or teens who are already outgrowing traditional trick-or-treating, the site decorating and organized events give them enough new-experience factor that they usually re-engage with Halloween in a way parents haven’t seen in years.
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Are golf carts included at Halloweekends the same as in summer?
Yes. All 33 of our 34 rental homes that come with a complimentary golf cart still include it in October. Carts get decorated by their occupants during Halloweekends and become part of the visual.
What about the beach in October?
Still swimmable in early October for cold-tolerant swimmers. By mid-to-late October, the water is too cold for most, but beach walks, shell collecting, and beach photos are excellent through the whole month.
What about the water park in October?
Closed. Sandy Harbor Water Park operates seasonally, typically opening in mid-to-late May and closing after Labor Day weekend. If water park is a priority for your family, book a summer week instead.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 2026 Halloweekends dates?
Every Friday-Saturday in October 2026: Oct 2-3, Oct 9-10, Oct 16-17, Oct 23-24, and Oct 30-31.
What is the 2026 Halloweekends theme?
“Red, White, and Boo” (per Ocean Lakes’ published calendar).
Do I need to buy tickets for Halloweekends?
No. Halloweekends events are included with your rental.
Is Ocean Lakes Halloweekends safe for young kids?
Yes. The whole campground is gated, the trick-or-treat window is early evening (4:30-6:30 PM Saturdays), and the environment is designed for families with young children.
Can I bring my dog to Halloweekends?
Yes, subject to the standard Ocean Lakes pet policy and the pet policy of your specific rental. Dogs in costume are common and welcome at outdoor events. Keep the 6-foot leash rule in mind for foot-traffic-heavy Saturday evenings.
When should I arrive on my Halloweekends weekend?
Friday afternoon or Friday evening. Saturday events start at 9 AM, so an early Saturday arrival misses the pumpkin contest and eats into the trick-or-treat prep.
Can I book a full week including Halloweekends instead of just the weekend?
Yes. Many families book Monday-Monday or Sunday-Sunday around a Halloweekends weekend.
What if we don’t want to participate in Halloweekends?
Book an inland section (3000 or 4000) and you’ll get a quieter version of the campground with the same amenities.
Sources
– Halloweekends 2026 dates, theme, and event schedule: Ocean Lakes Halloweekends page (https://www.oceanlakes.com/things-to-do/halloween/)
– Ocean Lakes October climate data: Current Results Myrtle Beach monthly averages
– Sandy Harbor Water Park seasonal schedule: Ocean Lakes Sandy Harbor Water Park page
– Property inventory: booking.duneliferentals.com/all-listings
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Last updated: September 12, 2026
About the author: Shawn Huffines runs Dune Life Rentals, managing 34 vacation homes inside Ocean Lakes Family Campground in Myrtle Beach, SC. October is his second-favorite month at Ocean Lakes after October last year.