This tradition began right here in Dallas, but has since become a nationwide trend. In 2008, celebrity tattoo artist Oliver Peck of Elm Street Tattoo started it by tattooing the number 13 on as many people as he could within 24 hours. Moms across the country haven't known peace since.
Though it's often a semi-annual occasion, this Friday, June 13, is the only time it happens in 2025. So, if you've been feeling the itch to get something done, now is the time.
Here are some of the local shops participating this year.
Elm Street Tattoo
2811 Elm St.Obviously, right? The studio that started it all is doing another 24-hour marathon, this time with over 200 flash tattoos available for $13 (plus a recommended $7 tip for good luck). While walk-ins will be welcomed, we suggest signing up the day before to guarantee a spot. More information can be found on Elm Street Tattoo’s website.Good Pain Artworks
112 Northeast 4th St., Grand PrairieFrom 3 p.m. to midnight, Good Pain will be offering a spooky collection of flash tattoos. Their $33 set includes simple linework of ghosts, crystal balls and spiderwebs, while their more detailed $55 set includes Tim Burton characters like Jack Skellington and Emily from The Corpse Bride. Appointments are walk-in only, and tattoos can only be done on arms and legs.Cat Tattoo
4544 Beltline Road, AddisonIf you’re using Friday the 13th as an excuse to get a slightly larger, more detailed piece, Cat Tattoo has you (and wherever you want the tattoo) covered. Three artists have created flash sheets in their unique styles, ranging from black-and-white pieces in the $150 range to detailed, multicolor pieces for no more than $300. It’s not the in-and-out experience other studios are offering, but it’s still a great deal for beautiful tattoos by veteran artists. No walk-ins will be accepted for this event. Appointments can be made on Cat Tattoo’s website.Suffer City
9012 Garland Rd.This East Dallas shop is known for a marathon of 13th tattoos beginning at midnight, but this year, its artists are doing something a little different. From 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. the shop is offering larger, vibrant flash tattoos for $100 and $200. Some of the offerings include roses, cactus plants and of course, skulls — if grandma is going to cry regardless, you might as well make it worth her tears. You can DM Suffer City on Instagram to make an appointment, but they'll also take walk-ins.
Bold Stroke Studios
831 W. Jefferson Blvd.Oak Cliff's Bold Stroke Studios is keeping things traditional with an assortment of $20 Friday the 13th tattoos starting at 12 p.m. Here, they're only doing walk-ins on a first-come, first-served basis. As is typical for the tradition, the artists are only doing legs and arms, but they are offering colored ink for an extra charge. If you get stuck with a long wait time, you can snack on chamoy candy and horchata from Que Rico Te Pioko, which will be on hand for a pop-up during the day.
Trilogy Tattoo Studio
709 Elm St., DentonLeave it to Denton to offer a special on flash that includes a dick rising out of a banana peel. This woman-owned studio is taking advantage of a colorful tradition falling on an equally colorful month this time. From 12 to 10 p.m., the shop is celebrating Pride Month with flash tattoos ranging from $50 to $100, local vendors, raffles and a trans resource booth. Getting a tattoo is practically a requisite for life in Denton, anyway. Walk-ins are welcome.
Lucky Horseshoe Tattoo
1426 N Main St., Fort WorthEven the most superstitious in North Texas can feel at ease with this one — a name like Lucky Horseshoe surely cancels out any bad fortune, right? If you can't bring yourself to commit to a $13 tattoo, the shop is also doing $13 piercings. Walk-ins are welcome from 1 p.m. to 12 a.m., but make sure you come prepared, because this one is cash only.
Mother's House
2512 Oak Lawn Ave.If someone asks the cliche question of what the meaning is behind your tattoo, this one delivers with a response of "a good cause." Mother's House is honoring Pride Month by asking that anyone who wants a walk-in Friday the 13th tattoo (ranging from $80 to $200) bring a donation item for Dallas Hope Charities, a resource center for homeless LGBTQ youth. Dallas food truck favorite Easy Slider will be on site from 2:30-5:30 p.m., and you can wash it down with a mocktail or coffee from the shop's cafe.
