Friday the 13th doesn’t come around often. It does happen at least once every year, and sometimes more than once. In 2023, it happens twice: January and October. If you miss celebrating Friday the 13th in October you’ll have to wait almost a year for the next one, in September of 2024.
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, October 13th, 2023.
13 Things to do on Friday the 13th in the Triangle
Night of the Living Dead Prom
Boxcar Bar and Arcade, 330 W Davie Street, Raleigh, is hosting Night of the Living Dead Prom. “Dress to impress in your deadliest prom attire.” Dance all night and sip on ghoulish cocktails. Get 4 game tokens at the door for dressing in theme.
Go on a haunted tour
Tobacco Road Tour’s Raleigh Haunted Footsteps Tour takes place on October 13th. Follow the link to register. It costs $18 per adult. In addition, Raleigh Walking Tours is offering a “pay what you want” Haunted History Tour. Spirits of Wake Forest is also taking place on October 13th.
Watch skeletons sing
Deadford Manor, an animatronic singing skeleton show in front of a Raleigh home, is holding its opening night on October 13. P&C Holiday Lights Halloween Haunt in Chapel Hill will also light up.
Go on a BOO-ze Halloween Wine Walk
BOO-ze Halloween Wine Walk takes place in Village District in Raleigh. Put on your costume and trick or treat from the merchants for free. If you want the wine samples, you’ll need a $25 ticket.
Get a lucky deal on doughnuts
Krispy Kreme has a Friday the 13th deal! On Friday the 13th, buy any dozen doughnuts at regular price at a participating Krispy Kreme shop and get a dozen Original Glazed for just 13¢! There’s a limited edition Scooby-Doo collection available.
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! Cat Tales Cat Café is 431 W. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27516. And Purr Cup Café is at 210 Prospect Avenue, Raleigh.
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.
Watch Friday the 13th Part IV
Alamo Drafthouse is screening Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives on October 13th, 2023, at 10:30 p.m. 2116-D New Bern Avenue, Raleigh.
Katherine Respess says
Bath is the oldest town in NC, not Hillsborough.
Jody Mace says
Thank you! Corrected.