Friday the 13th doesn’t come around often. It does happen at least once every year, and sometimes more than once. 2021 has just one Friday the 13th, in August.
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, August 13th.
13 Things to do on Friday the 13th 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. One tattoo shop that we know is participating is Lewter Tattoos, at 215 S. Bicket Boulevard, Louisburg. They’re offering a flash tattoo for $20. See their flash sheet here. If we hear of any other tattoo shops participating, we’ll update here.
Go on a haunted tour
Raleigh Walking Tours is offering a “pay what you want” Haunted History Tour. It’s actually on Saturday, August 14th, but you might be able to sign up for it on August 13th. Or in Hillsborough, go on the Haints Misbehaving Ghost Tour with on Friday the 13th with Haunted Hillsborough. Hillsborough is one of North Carolina’s oldest towns, so it’s probably also one of the most haunted towns. In addition, Tobacco Road Tours offers a Durham Dark & Mysterious Ghost Walk and Raleigh Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour. Both are taking place on August 13th. Note: we originally said, incorrectly, that Hillsborough is North Carolina’s oldest town.
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 it 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.
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.
No matter what, if you visit Carolina Inn on August 13th, you’ll be in luck, because the hotel’s summer music series, Fridays on the Front Porch, is taking place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. 211 Pittsboro Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27516.
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.
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. If you want to come back on Friday, August 27th, you can save a few bucks, because tours will be offered for free from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
See Friday the 13th at a Drive-In
Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre, at 3336 Raleigh Road, Henderson, is showing Friday the 13th on August 13th.
Go to a Friday the 13th Drag Show
Brus on Main, at 135 S. Main Street, Fuquay-Varina, is hosting a Friday the 13th Drag Show on August 13th. Tickets are required for entrance, and are donation-based. Donations benefit the LGBT Center of 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.
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.
Katherine Respess says
Bath is the oldest town in NC, not Hillsborough.
Jody Mace says
Thank you! Corrected.