Has 2026 felt extra unlucky? Well, it does have the maximum amount ofFriday the 13thspossible for a year.
This Friday, March 13, marks the second Friday the 13th this year – and one more is lurking.
The first Friday the 13th of 2026 was on Feb. 13, just one day before Valentine's Day. The second falls just days beforeSt. Patrick's Day. There are three of the holidays in 2026, and the third one will not occur until the autumn.
Here's what to know about the date and why some consider it unlucky.
March 2026 calendar:St. Patrick's Day, daylight saving time, more
When is the next Friday the 13th?
The next Friday the 13th following the March one is on Friday, Nov. 13.
This year, 2026, has the most possible Friday the 13ths in a year. According toThe Old Farmer's Almanac, three Friday the 13ths are the maximum possible in one year and only happen two out of 14 years.
A look at Friday the 13ths this year:
Feb. 13
March 13
Nov. 13
Perhaps luckily, the next two years, 2027 and 2028, bring just one Friday the 13th in the year,according to Date and Time.
Why is Friday the 13th unlucky?
According toHistory.com, the day has an unlucky association stemming from Christianity. There were 13 people present during the Last Supper of Jesus in the Bible, which occurred on a Thursday. Jesus was crucified the following day.
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In a previousinterview with USA TODAY, Dr. Phil Stevens, author and retired anthropology professor, said the number "is associated with that terrible event. And Friday, the 13th, you get a double whammy. You get both of these elements coming together: the taboo against 13, and the crucifixion, which was on a Friday."
How to celebrate Friday the 13th
While the holiday is often marked with discounted tattoos, there are numerous ways to celebrate Friday the 13th. Last month, numerous countries across the country offered to marry couples for free on the day. Other businesses might also offer deals on products to celebrate.
Still, getting some ink remains the most notable way to spend the holiday. Tattoo shops will often run special promotions and discounts on the day. In some cases, shops may only charge a flat rate at or even under shop minimum, which is the minimum fee a shop will usually charge on a tattoo to cover the cost of the basic supplies and overhead.
The tradition began in 1995 with Elm Street Tattoo shop owner Oliver Peck. That year, he hosted an event at the Pair O' Dice in Dallas that included a marathon session of tattooing the number "13" on as many people as possible in a 24-hour period.
Due to the event's success, Peck repeated it annually. In 2008, he earned a Guinness World Record for tattooing 13 on 415 people in 24 hours.
People celebrating the holiday may also want to mark it with a marathon of the Friday the 13th movies. The franchise includes 12 films. The first movie was released in 1980 and the last one came out in 2009.
While some of the movies may require renting or streaming, a selection of the films is available on Pluto TV.
What are some Friday the 13th superstitions?
Some common superstitions associated with bad luck on Friday the 13th include:
Breaking a mirror: Breaking a mirror is said to bring seven years of bad luck, so handle glass carefully on Friday the 13th.
Walking under a ladder: This superstition stems from the idea that walking under a ladder disrupts the triangle, a symbol of life, and invites misfortune.
Spilling salt: Accidentally spilling salt has been seen as bad luck for centuries. To counteract, throw a pinch over your left shoulder to ward off evil.
Crossing paths with a black cat: Black cats, often associated with witches and bad omens, are considered unlucky, especially when they cross your path on Friday the 13th.
Stepping on cracks: The rhyme "step on a crack, break your mother's back" comes from the idea that stepping on cracks invites bad energy or harm.
Friday the 13th deals
Some businesses mark Friday the 13th with deals. For March,Chipotle has a BOGO entrée dealfor those rocking (real or temporary) tattoos and Krispy Kreme customers can get adozen original glazed doughnuts for 13 centswith the purchase of any dozen at regular price.
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter. Reach her at mdelrey@usatoday.com
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:2026 brings most possible Friday the 13ths. See how many.
