There was only one Friday the 13th in 2025. However, the 2026 calendar shows the date three times.
The first occurred in February, the day before Valentine’s Day. The second falls on Friday, March 13, while the third arrives later in the year in November.
Whether one treats the day like any other, or the occasion—some enthusiasts even get tattoos every time it occurs—the date has long been surrounded by folklore and superstition. Here’s a closer look at why the day gets so much attention and how people typically observe it.
How many Friday the 13th is in 2026?
According to the time and date, 2026 will include three Friday the 13th dates, with the first two occurring in consecutive months.
The first fell on Friday, February 13, just before Valentine’s Day. The second will arrive on Friday, March 13, just days before St. Patrick’s Day. The third will take place later in the year in November.
Here are the dates for Friday 13th 2026:
Friday, February 13, 2026
Why is the number 13 often seen as unlucky?
The belief that the number 13 brings bad luck dates back centuries. According to BBC reports, some people associate the superstition with biblical stories. At the Last Supper, Judas – the disciple who later betrayed Jesus – was the 13th guest seated at the table.
A similar idea appears in Norse mythology. During the assembly of the gods, an unexpected 13th guest, Loki, disrupted the feast and brought tragedy, ultimately plunging the world into darkness.
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Because of these beliefs, several cultures consider it unlucky to have 13 people seated together at a meal. In some cases, people even add a teddy bear to the table to act as a symbolic “14th guest”.
The influence of this superstition can still be seen in modern life. Some hotels skip room number 13, apartment buildings skip the 13th floor and go straight from 12 to 14, and some airlines avoid numbering row 13 on planes.
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Why is Friday also associated with bad luck?
Some religious traditions also associate unfortunate events with Fridays. Bible stories describe several negative events on that day, including the beginning of the Great Flood. Some interpretations also suggest that Adam and Eve committed the first sin on Friday.
The association also appears in medieval literature. The *Canterbury Tales*, written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the 1300s, refers to Friday as a day associated with “misfortune”.
Historically, Friday in the UK was once known as Hangman’s Day, as public executions were commonly carried out at the time.
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Interestingly, the idea that Friday in combination with the number 13 specifically brings bad luck is considered relatively modern. An 1834 article in a French literary magazine states the belief that “it is always Fridays and the number 13 that bring bad luck”.
There’s even a term for the fear of this particular date: “paraskevidekatriaphobia.”
Do all cultures see Friday as unlucky?
not at all. In Islam, Friday is considered the holiest day of the week. In Judaism, Friday night marks the beginning of Shabbat, the sacred day of rest.
