Fun Fact: For a month to have a Friday the 13th, the first day must be a Sunday.

13 lucky things to do this Friday the 13th

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. And this month, you’re in luck because Friday, August 13th is the last FREE admission day at the Carlos Museum this summer!

an egyptian mummy sarcophagus at the Carlos Museum in Atlanta

Egyptian sarcophagus at the Carlos Museum

2. 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 — luckily, the forecast says no rain on Friday, August 13th.

3. Play the Hamilton ticket lottery

As luck would have it, the ticket lottery for Hamilton at the fabulous Fox Theatre opens on Friday, August 13th. Don’t throw away your shot! Check out our list of tips for winning the HAM4HAM lottery — which gives you a chance to buy two tickets at just $10 each. The show itself opens on August 22nd.

Give it your best shot! Hamilton opens on Aug. 22nd and the ticket lottery opens on the 13th.

4. 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. If you’d like something more family-friendly, head out to the Sandy Springs Town Green for the Movies by Moonlight screening of Shrek on Friday, August 13th (it’s FREE!)

5. Adopt a black cat (or other pet) from LifeLine Animal Project

The shelters are full and Lifeline Animal Project is hosting a FREE adoption event, opening on Friday, August 13th and running thru Sunday, August 15th. Adoption fees are waived for those three days, and you may be lucky enough to find your new best friend.

Monti was a little black kitten we fostered thru LifeLine until he was big enough to find his adoptive home.

6. Head to an Irish Pub for Friday happy hour

It may not be St. Patrick’s Day, but you can still invoke the famous luck of the Irish and head out for a pint of Guinness or a big plate of fish and chips. Eater Atlanta has put together this list of 9 great Irish pubs in Atlanta, but you may have your own favorite watering hole.

7. 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.

A Civil War era cannon overlooks Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield park. Credit: Deposit Photos

8. Have a close-up butterfly encounter

Butterflies are considered a symbol of good luck. To some, they invoke freedom, creativity, or spiritual growth. Every August, several local gardens and parks offer the chance to have a close-up butterfly encounter in a glass conservatory or mesh tent — and even hold one on the tip of your finger.

Photo courtesy of Dahlonega Butterfly Farm — go visit!

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?

This scene made the Jackson Street Bridge the most popular selfie spot in Atlanta.

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 for Gone With the Wind, but unlucky enough to be killed by a car while crossing the street. By the way, tickets for the popular Oakland Cemetery Ha lloween tours are on sale now — and they will certainly sell out before October. Act now if you want to be one of the lucky ones to score tickets!

grave of margaret mitchell at oakland cemetery in atlanta

Margaret Mitchell is one of several famous residents at Oakland Cemetery.

11. Attend a performance of The Tempest

Shakespeare’s The Tempest tells the tale of a shipwreck, with themes of magic, love, and luck. The main character, Prospero, has his own view of good luck. He says, “You should know this: much luck is on my side, and my enemies have happened to wreck their ship on this island. As I see it, my fate hangs on this lucky event, and if I handle it wrong, I’ll suffer for the rest of my life. Now, no more questions.”
Shakespeare in the Ponce is presents The Tempest this weekend outdoors at Ponce City Market amphitheater, Friday thru Sunday.

12. Immerse yourself in the works of Van Gogh

Some would say that Vincent Van Gogh was unlucky in life and love. He was challenged with mental illness, and he never sold a piece of artwork in his life — which makes it ironic that he is now essentially immortalized through his art. But now, you have the good luck to attend Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, an amazing interactive exhibit at Pullman Yards. Words don’t describe this experience of stepping inside a Van Gogh painting. There may be very few tickets left for this Friday, but you can purchase in advance thru November.

Immerse yourself in the mind and art of Van Gogh, running thru November at Pullman Yards.

13. Take advantage of an offer for FREE food

Is there anything luckier than a FREE meal? We have two such offers for you this Friday, August 13th. You can get FREE fries at McDonalds with any purchase of at least $1. And you can get a FREE croissant breakfast sandwich at Wendy’s — this is an especially good offer because you don’t have to make a purchase, go through an app, or anything like that. Just show up and ask for it!