National Paranormal Day 2023: Do you believe in ghosts? Whether you’re a skeptic or psychic, National Paranormal Day’s the holiday for you. Grab your Ouija board on May 3 and let’s start communicating with the great beyond.
I’m breaking through
I’m bending spoons
I’m keeping flowers in full bloom
I’m looking for answers
From the great beyond
– Peter Buck/Mike Mills/Michael Stipe (R.E.M.)
If you’ve ever experienced something beyond the norm or had an inexplicable otherworldly happening, you’ve stumbled onto the right day. National Paranormal Day is for those fascinated by the unknowable “other side.” If you don’t know your normal from your paranormal, don’t worry you can still celebrate! Just head online to learn about the movies, documentaries, and science fiction that deal with this subject.
And fear not, we have everything you need.
WHEN IS NATIONAL PARANORMAL DAY 2023?
Chill with the paranormal entities hanging out in your room and spot UFOs on National Paranormal Day on May 3.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL PARANORMAL DAY
Just like any paranormal activity, no one knows the origin of National Paranormal Day. The only thing we do know is that it was created in 2013, and that’s about it. But the truth is out there, and we may find out one day. The universe is packed with all sorts of oddities, dimensions, and great unknowns. Simply put, any occurrence that cannot be explained by logic or science, is more or less classified as paranormal, because it falls outside the realm of the normal. Vampires, ghosts, Bigfoot, and more, there are ever-increasing encounters with the paranormal around the world.
Even something as small as déjà vu can be considered paranormal. People have been experiencing sensations and witnessing the inexplicable for centuries now. However, documentation of these mystifying phenomena only began a few hundred years ago. The man best known for collecting paranormal anecdotes is American writer Charles Fort. Some have even declared him the father of modern paranormalism. He compiled approximately 40,000 notes on paranormal experiences.
These compilations include reports of events such as teleportation, frogs falling from the sky, strange substances, unexplainable explosions, crop circles, levitation, UFOs, and appearances and disappearances of mysterious beings.
Most likely, Fort was also the first person to hypothesize the strange appearances of otherworldly entities and the disappearances of people by alien abduction. As unexplainable as they are, these ideas are becoming increasingly common, with hundreds of reports filed every year regarding extraterrestrial beings. However, no matter how much evidence there is and the number of reports submitted by people who have had firsthand experiences, the absence of empirical evidence makes these events difficult to investigate scientifically.
Paranormal activity has also been an intriguing subject in the entertainment industry. In 1993, “The X-Files” debuted on television and became a cult classic. Before that, “The Twilight Zone” set a benchmark for strange occurrences in 1959. In more recent years, the first movie of the “Paranormal Activity” series was released in 2007 and received worldwide accolades for its unique filming technique.
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NATIONAL PARANORMAL DAY TRADITIONS
What makes Paranormal Day different from Halloween is that it is more intense and doesn’t require the distribution of candy! It is also a celebration of all things unseen and supernatural, whereas one can dress up as pretty much anything on Halloween.
Paranormal enthusiasts delve deeper into the realm of the unknown; visiting abandoned sites, eerie forests nearby, and other ‘haunted’ places. Parties are also hosted with creepy decor and activities that may or may not lead to encounters with the paranormal like playing with an ouija board.
Horror movies and documentaries on the supernatural are binged and many take to social media to relay their accounts and post evidence of their experiences with ghosts, aliens, and other supernatural entities.
NATIONAL PARANORMAL DAY BY THE NUMBERS
- 1 in 5 – the number of Americans who believe that demons “definitely exist.”
- 24% – the percentage of Americans who believe that supernatural beings “probably exist.”
- 13% – the percentage of Americans who believe that vampires definitely exist.
- 2007 – the year when the movie “Paranormal Activity” was released.
- ⅓ – the number of Americans who say they have personally experienced the presence of a ghost or spirit.
- 15 – the number of seasons of the hit television show “Supernatural.”
- 20% – the percentage of women who are more likely to believe in the supernatural than men.
HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL PARANORMAL DAY 2021
Explore a haunted house
You might already know the haunted houses in your neighborhood, but you can also search for some of the best national ones for some added spook. Try visiting creepy places, armed only with flashlights. Jumping out of your skin from fright is a great way to spend National Paranormal Day!
Visit a graveyard with your friends
This one is not for the faint-hearted, but they say that to truly have a chance of glimpsing a ghost, go to places where they are most likely to congregate, such as the cemetery. If you’re seeking out a particular ghost, then their headstone is a good place to start. Bring some candles to set the mood.
Have a spooky party
Everyone loves Halloween, and National Paranormal Day is the next best thing. Now you can celebrate the ghouls twice a year! They sure do appreciate it. Put on some spooky tunes and boogie on late into the night, or turn down the lights and put on a scary movie at midnight, so that your supernatural guests have time to stop by.
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5 MYTHS ABOUT THE PARANORMAL
Ghosts only come out at night
The darkness of the night definitely adds to the spooky element of ghost hunting, but ghosts can also be seen during the day.
Bigfoot doesn’t exist
While there is no hard evidence to support this, there is a lot of physical evidence of the creature like hair, blood, and even feces.
Only old buildings and mansions are haunted
While old Victorian mansions and abandoned buildings can definitely be a hothouse for paranormal activity, there are just as many paranormal activities happening in jails, hospitals, museums, roads, and forests.
Bad for business
Many people believe that a paranormal presence is bad for business, but the booming paranormal tourism industry and thrill seekers say otherwise.
Skeptics vs. believers
It is a myth that skeptics and believers don’t get along. The two groups are welcomed by both sides, with the skeptics participating in investigative groups frequently.
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL PARANORMAL DAY
It’s spooky fun!
National Paranormal Day is the only time of the year (well, apart from Halloween) that the spirits and ghosts of those who have passed away come out, and get our attention for a day. Don’t let them spook you!
Paranormal parties
Ghosts never need an excuse to party, and neither should you. A great way to create a themed Paranormal Party is to hang white crepe paper strips from the windows and serve marshmallow ghosts (you can draw their eyes on with chocolate sauce) floating in hot chocolate.
Make connections with others even the dead
You may be scared by the prospect, but National Paranormal Day is a great time to connect with other paranormal enthusiasts or discover your own areas of interest. You can make more connections by showing off your new contacts, or even videos of your unearthly experiences, on social media, using #nationalparanormalday.
NATIONAL PARANORMAL DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | May 3 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | May 3 | Friday |
| 2025 | May 3 | Saturday |
| 2026 | May 3 | Sunday |
| 2027 | May 3 | Monday |
