2026 is a big year for Friday the 13th. There will be three months that have a Friday the 13th — February, March, and November. This is the maximum number of Friday the 13ths that are possible in one calendar year. So if you make it through February 13th unscathed, don’t let down your guard. It will be back before you know it.
There are a several origin stories that suggest why Friday the 13th is considered unlucky, but it’s not all bad. Here are 13 things to do in the Triangle to celebrate Friday the 13th!
Then, keep reading for the big list of everything on our calendar for Friday, February 13, 2026.
How to Spend Friday the 13th in the Triangle
Go to the Devil’s Tramping Ground
Devil’s Tramping Ground is a weird little spot in Bear Creek, North Carolina, in Chatham County. They say that nothing has grown in the 40-foot ring for a hundred years, due to the devil’s habit of pacing at night, planning his next act of evil. Want to find it? Just plug Devil’s Tramping Ground, Devil’s Tramping Ground Road, Bear Creek, NC into your GPS. Good luck.
Learn more about Devil’s Tramping Ground on this episode of The Old North State Podcast.
Play with a black cat at a cat cafe
Visit one of the Triangle’s cat cafés and play with a black cat. Maybe you’ll get lucky and meet your new roommate and best friend! Learn about three cat cafés in the Triangle.
Get a tattoo
Many tattoo shops around the country offer low-priced flash tattoos on Friday the 13th. A flash tattoo is already drawn, on a flash sheet, so you can see in advance what you’re getting.
Follow your favorite tattoo shop on Instagram for announcements.
Visit Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill
The Carolina Inn was built in 1924, and is thought to be the home of many ghosts, including that of Dr. Williams Jacocks, who lived in Room 252 in his last years. According to University of North Carolina’s page on this ghost, guests report being locked out of the room and have had other paranormal experiences, including the smell of freshly cut flowers or feeling their bodies become cold. If you’d like a chance to meet the fun-loving ghost, though, book room 256, because room 252 was split into four in 1990.
Find a haunted doll at an Antique Shop
Peruse our list of over a hundred thrift stores, antique and vintage shops in the Triangle. We are certain that you’ll find a creepy, old haunted doll at at least one of them. If you don’t find a haunted doll you’re not trying hard enough.
Visit Mordecai Historic Park
The Mordecai House was built in 1785, making it older than Raleigh. So your chance of encountering a ghost is pretty high here. The most well-known ghost is that of Mary Willis Mordecai Turk, who sometimes plays the piano in the downstairs drawing room. 1 Mimosa Street, Raleigh.
Visit the 7th most haunted cemetery in North Carolina
Only in Your State ranks Historic Oakwood Cemetery as the 7th most haunted cemetery in North Carolina. Maybe it’s worth a Friday the 13th visit? 701 Oakwood Avenue, Raleigh.
Peer at a castle in Chapel Hill
Gimghoul Castle, in Battle Park in Chapel Hill, serves as the headquarters of the Order of Gimghoul, a secret student society at UNC Chapel Hill. The castle was completed in 1926.
Visit the cemetery at Dorothea Dix Park
It’s not ranked in the “most haunted cemeteries in North Carolina” list, but it’s probably at least a little bit haunted, especially because of its association with the old Dorothy Dix Hospital for the mentally ill. 759-777 Dawkins Road, Raleigh.
Eat at a haunted restaurant
Death and Taxes is thought to be one of the most haunted restaurants in Raleigh. In its past lives, the building, built in 1907, served as a coffin shop, a mortuary and a bank. As far as hauntings, footsteps and voices have been heard by guests. If you don’t encounter any ghosts, you can at least get a great meal from chefs Ashley Christenson and Lauren Ivey. 105 W. Hargett Street, Raleigh.
Check out the rest of our Friday the 13th calendar
Various locations
