Do you believe unlucky things will happen to you on Friday the 13th? If so, you may suffer from friggatriskaidekaphobia, a known psychological condition — or you may just be mildly superstitious.
The date’s reputation for unlucky incidents has also evolved into a belief that supernatural events are more likely to happen on this day.
Yet according to TimeAndDate.com, some cultures regard the day as very lucky indeed, and people have even won millions of dollars in lotteries entered on this day.
With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of 13 “lucky” things to do this Friday the 13th.
One thing’s for sure:
Friday the 13th doesn’t come around often.
Friday the 13th dates in 2026 include:
* Friday, February 13, 2026
* Friday, March 13, 2026
* Friday, November 14, 2026
Fun Fact: For a month to have a Friday the 13th, the first day must be a Sunday.
13 lucky things to do on Friday the 13th: March edition
Don’t let a fear of bad luck keep you at home on Friday, March 13, 2026!
And if you happen to already be booked for the 13th, you’re in luck, because we also have a list of the best things to do in March in Atlanta, covering the whole rest of the month!
Bonus item: Get a dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts for just 13-cents!
Details here!
1. Visit the mummies at the Michael C. Carlos Museum
The Carlos Museum houses the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts in the Southeast. To the ancient Egyptians, the number 13 was lucky. It represented the 13th stage of life — as in a glorious, eternal afterlife. The dead were buried with lucky talismans that would help them navigate a dangerous underworld journey to gain entry into the afterlife.
Visit the Carlos Museum website
2. Tap into the luck of the Irish at a St. Patrick’s Day celebration
It’s the ultimate showdown between lucky and unlucky!
St. Patrick’s Day lands on Tuesday, March 17th, BUT the celebrations and special events are starting on Friday the 13th this March and continuing all weekend long.
Starting Friday afternoon, many pubs and breweries are featuring Irish music, green beer, and drink specials. On Saturday, you’ll find the iconic Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade, plus other Irish-themed events.
PLUS, Krispy Kreme is offering a FREE green-glazed doughnut to anyone who comes in to a shop wearing green on March 16th and 17th– no purchase necessary!
Find a St. Paddy’s deal or event
3. Get a tattoo or piercing with special deal
Did you know that tattoo parlors often celebrate Friday the 13th with special deals? Back in the good old days, you could get a small tattoo for $13. But in this economy, it’s more likely to be a $13 piercing or $13 OFF a more elaborate tattoo. Some tattoo parlors are keeping the tradition by offering $31 tattoo specials.
Iron Palm Tattoos in Atlanta was kind enough to send us details on their Friday the 13th & St. Patrick’s Weekend deal, so we’re giving them a special shout-out here.
Iron Palm invites you to score your flash tattoo for just $13 (plus a $40 mandatory tip for the artist) or save big with half-off all body piercings. Jewelry is included FREE with all Friday 13th piercings.
They are taking walk-ins, but you can also pre-purchase your flash tattoo ticket.
Please, carefully review all the offer details and requirements here.
Here are a few other local tattoo parlors offering special deals on March 13, 2026. Click thru the links for details. And consider giving your favorite tattoo artist a call to see what specials they’re offering.
HINT: If you live outside metro Atlanta, you can search Facebook event pages for Friday the 13th tattoo deals.
- Unique Ink in Marietta
- Royal Ink Studioin Marietta
- Iron Palm Tattoos in Atlanta
- Passion Ink Tattoo in Winder
4. See a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show
A Rocky Horror screening on Friday the 13th works because the movie’s whole spirit lines up perfectly with the day’s chaotic, superstitious energy. The film celebrates weirdness and breaking rules, which makes it a natural fit for a date people already treat as offbeat or unlucky.
The audience‑participation aspect turns that “unlucky” vibe into something communal and fun—shouting callbacks, throwing props, and leaning into the absurdity with a room full of people who are all in on the joke.
It also flips the superstition on its head: instead of avoiding the date, you’re choosing something bold, loud, and joyful, which makes the night feel lucky on purpose.
More info about Rocky Horror at the Plaza Theatre
5. Take a hike at Hard Labor Creek State Park
Movie trivia time! Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives was filmed in metro Atlanta, and the scenes at Camp Crystal Lake were shot at Hard Labor Creek State Park. While it looks creepy on the screen, it’s a wonderful state park and a pleasant day trip out to Morgan County. Pack a picnic meal and enjoy the drive — maybe you’ll get lucky and have beautiful weather when you go!
6. Stream one of the Friday the 13th movies
You’ll need a streaming subscription or free trial, because we were not lucky enough to find these horror classics on any of the totally FREE streaming platforms — although there are plenty of other shudder-inducing flicks available for free.
Check out this article from TV Guide on where to rent or stream every Friday the 13th film in the series. You could even have a movie marathon!
Better yet, visit VideoDrome, Atlanta’s last remaining video-rental store, and get a 1-week rental for $5. We checked, and they have several of the Friday the 13th movies in stock!
7. Adopt a black cat (or other pet) for years of companionship
Visit LifeLine Animal Project and you may get lucky and find your new best friend! We have checked with staff, and there are indeed several black cats in need of loving homes.
Did you know that black cats often linger in shelters the longest, before they are adopted? Black cats have suffered from superstitious stereotyping over the years — but were once symbols of good luck to some people.
The ancient Egyptians valued all felines and believed them to be magical creatures that brought good luck to a household. So forget about all those silly superstitions and think like an Egyptian!
8. Walk with ghosts at Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield
The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain was a lucky break for the Confederacy, although those who lost their lives there were not so lucky. Today, the site is known as the most haunted batttlefield in Georgia. People have reported hearing cannons, smelling gunpowder, and even seeing restless apparitions of soldiers. Others have said they walked through unexpected cold spots while hiking the trails. If you feel up to investigating these claims, take a drive out to Kennesaw Mountain National Park and try your luck at ghost hunting.
9. Take a selfie on the Jackson Street Bridge
In The Walking Dead, a handful of characters were lucky enough to survive the misfortune of a lifetime — a zombie apocalypse. This famous scene from the TV series made the Jackson Street Bridge the most famous selfie spot in Atlanta — it’s practically a Bucket List item for Atlantans.
Have you posted your selfie on social media yet?
10. Visit Oakland Cemetery
This is another Atlanta attraction that is said by some to be haunted. Its most famous residents have certainly met a wide variety of fates, both lucky and unlucky. Take, for example, Margaret Mitchell — possessing the talent and good fortune to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Gone With the Wind, but unlucky enough to be killed by a car while crossing the street.
Regardless, all of us in metro Atlanta are very lucky indeed, that this historic cemetery is always free to visit!
PLUS, there is a FREE and family-friendly special event this Friday the 13th!
Finally Friday takes place from 5 to 8 p.m, and is FREE to attend.
11. Walk on the Doll’s Head Trail at Constitution Lakes Park
This one is just a wee bit spooky! But the Doll’s Head Trail is an Atlanta Bucket List item, so why not cross it off your list this Friday the 13th?
The trail makes for a quirky and entertaining experience and an easy walk. Some may say the folk art displays — made from trashed dolls and other toys — are creepy, but we find them charming!
12. Go vampire hunting in Mystic Falls
We’re so lucky to have a thriving film industry right here in metro Atlanta!
The Vampire Diaries is set in the fictional town of Mystic Falls — but in reality was filmed right here in Covington.
You can visit all the iconic locations from the TV series on the Vampire Stalkers Tour, which includes riding on a tram and a moderate amount of walking. The tours are a bit of a splurge at $55 per person, and they sell out so you should plan to book well in advance.
13. Take a calming walk in a park or garden
Visiting a park or garden on Friday the 13th turns a day known for superstition into something grounding and intentionally positive.
Nature breaks the “bad‑luck” narrative by giving you something predictable and steady—fresh air, open space, and a change of scenery that resets your mood. Green spaces are also tied to renewal and growth, which makes them an easy symbolic choice if you want the day to feel lucky rather than ominous.
We recommend these FREE nature walks (but you can always find one near you):
Here’s what else is happening on Friday, March 13th:
[…] real word for the fear of Friday the 13th—keep you at home. If you’re in the Atlanta area, here are 13 things you can do, from adopting a black cat to taking a calming […]