Friday the 13th doesn’t come around often. It does happen at least once every year, and sometimes more than once. 2023 has two Friday the 13th dates: 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.
Also, when Friday the 13th lands in October, it’s the Friday the 13th-est of all Friday the 13ths. The last time that happened was in 2017, and the next time won’t be until 2028. So, enjoy!
There are a several origin stories that suggest why Friday the 13th is considered unlucky, but here in Charlotte we feel lucky to have SpookyCLT. All year long SpookyCLT tells us about the cool, weird and spooky stuff in Charlotte. The same folks are behind the Old North State podcast, which digs into North Carolina topics like Normie–the Lake Norman Monster, Crusoe Island, and the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.
So a couple of years ago, we asked SpookyCLT what to do on Friday the 13th. Read on to learn what SpookyCLT says we should do on Friday the 13th, with some updates from Charlotte on the Cheap for 2023.
Then, keep reading for a list of everything on our calendar for Friday, October 13th, 2023.
13+ Things to do in Charlotte on Friday the 13th
We just wanted to list 13 things to do on Friday the 13th, but we couldn’t stop!
Watch Friday the 13th at Belmont Drive-In
Belmont Drive-In, at 314 McAdenville Road, Belmont, North Carolina, re-opened late this summer after being closed for almost ten years. What better time to visit than October 13, 2023, when they will be showing Haunted Mansion and Friday the 13th? $25 per car-load.
Haunted History Tour and Ghost Hunt at Latta Arcade
Celebrate Friday the 13th and the Halloween season with SpookyCLT and Charlotte Area Paranormal Society at a special event. SpookyCLT: Haunted History Tour and Ghost Hunt of Latta Arcade takes place on Friday, October 13, 2023, at 7 p.m.
Although, at $30, this isn’t a cheap event, it’s a unique event, a perfect way to spend Friday the 13th, and the proceeds go to a good cause. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Elmwood Cemetery Angel Society to aid in the restoration of headstones, especially that of Charlie Houck. Who was killed by a lion.
Wrestling Show with Horror Characters
Head to Lenny Boy Brewing, 3000 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC, on October 13, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. Xtreme World Wrestling and the Cosplay Wrestling Universe Present Friday the 13th Super-Show featuring wrestling matches with all of your favorite horror characters! Free event!
Opening Reception for Oddities
Charlotte Art League’s opening reception for “Oddities” is taking place on October 13, 2023, from 6 to 9 p.m. Celebrate the weird, offbeat, eccentric, curious and strange at this exhibition.
Ayrsley Retro Horror Series
Ayrsley Grand Cinemas’ Retro Horror Series is in full swing. They’re showing two classic/retro horror films a night, for $5 each. But on Friday the 13th, they’re showing a third film. Wonder what it will be??
Friday the 13th Aerial Show
Cirque du Biere is presenting a Friday the 13th aerial show at Hi-Wire Brewing, 340 West Tremont Avenue, Charlotte, North Carolina, on Friday, October 13, 2023. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. In the first act, each aerialist will perform a choreographed piece to a spooky song of their choice. Then there will be a brief intermission. And for the second act, the aerialists will improv to YOUR song requests. $20. Age 18+
Get a Tattoo
On Friday the 13th, many tattoo shops offer special deals on pre-drawn “flash” tattoos.
Charlotte Tattoo Company is offering pre-drawn designs for a discount. Find details, as they’re announced, on their Facebook page. 1514 Central Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28205.
Off The Paper Tattoo Studio will be offering Friday the 13th deals. Follow their Facebook page for announcements. 2250 Hawkins Street, Charlotte, NC 28203.
Hollywood Ink is offering $31 tattoos and $13 piercings. 4401 E Independence Blvd., Ste 102, Charlotte, NC, 28205. Details on Facebook.
Bodies Illustrated, 10039 University City Blvd, Charlotte, is offering $13 and $31 tattoos (plus tips.) Also $13 off jewelry or piercings when you spend $40 or more. Follow them on Facebook for details.
Black Web Ink World Famous Charlotte, at 2709 Old Monroe Road, Stallings, NC, has offered flash tattoos on previous Friday the 13th dates. Follow them on Facebook to see if there are announcements for this year.
Brothers-n-Ink, at 2909 Amay James Avenue, Charlotte, offered flash tattoos last Friday the 13th. Follow them on Facebook to see if they announce something for October 13th.
Follow your favorite tattoo shop on Instagram for more announcements.
Get your cards read
Get your fortune read at Red Clay Ciderworks, 245 Clanton Road, for $10. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, October 13th, 2023.
Find some ghosts at Devil’s Logic Brewing
Paranormal duo and hosts of the Hexfiles podcast have recently investigated Devil’s Logic Brewing after reports from staff about paranormal activity. Enjoy a cold beer, but keep your eyes open for ghosts. On October 13th, there will be live music starting at 7 p.m., with Cosmic Collective, which is unrelated to any haunting phenomena. 1426 E. 4th Street, Charlotte, NC 28205.
Friday the 13th Hike and Campfire
Go on an 2-mile evening hike at Reedy Creek Nature Preserve and then relax by the campfire. The Friday the 13th Hike and Campfire starts at 6 p.m. Registration required. There’s not necessarily anything haunted in those woods but there may be. More info.
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.
Play with Black Cats at a Cat Cafe
While black cats have the reputation of being unlucky, these 5 cat cafes in Charlotte have taken it upon themselves to set the story straight. There are cats of all colors but the black ones are special. Maybe you’ll get lucky and meet your new best friend and roommate.
Rent Friday the 13th from Visart Video
VisArt Video is the last video rental store anywhere close to us and they have every Friday the 13th movie made. 3104 Eastway Drive, Charlotte, NC 28205.
Catch Orbs on Camera at Old Settlers Cemetery
Old Settlers is a historic cemetery in the heart of uptown. It is said that while there are nearly 300 headstones in the cemetery, the number of bodies buried are in the thousands. 200 W Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202.
Listen to a Charlotte Zombie Audio Drama
The audio drama Samwel Sift Post-Apocalyptic Detective stars Samwel Sift, a hardboiled detective living in a zombie-filled Charlotte. This podcast is locally made and has three season out already.
Take a Picture of the Uptown Skyline From Elmwood Cemetery
Elmwood Cemetery is over 72 acres and has plenty of beautiful gravesites, foliage and vantage points for skyline views. Before you go, read all about Charlotte’s historic cemeteries, including Elmwood, as well as about a number of spots around Charlotte for great skyline photos. 700 W. 6th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202.
Eat at a Haunted Restaurant
Alexander Michael’s Restaurant is said to be haunted. The upstairs apartment is haunted by the ghost of the former owner, and paranormal presence has also been felt in the back corner by the booth made for one person. 401 W. 9th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202.
Listen to a previous year’s Friday the 13th episode of The Devil, The Witch and My Wardrobe
This episode of the podcast, The Devil, The Witch, and My Wardrobe, was hosted by SpookyCLT. Listen here.
Look into a Haunted Mirror
Staff have reported paranormal activity around a single antique mirror at Kiki Greek Bistro. Are you brave enough to look in? 1500 A Central Venue, Charlotte, NC 28205.
Search for Haunted Dolls
Look for haunted dolls at one of the 100+ antique, thrift and consignment stores in Charlotte. If you can’t find a haunted doll, you’re not looking hard enough.
Go on a Ghost Tour
Queen City Ghost offers ghost tours nightly. Learn more and book a tour.
Complete Friday the 13th Calendar
Various locations