National Paranormal Day Date in the current year: May 3, 2026

The term “paranormal” refers to phenomena claimed to exist beyond established scientific understanding or natural laws. Literally meaning “beyond normal”, the word has been used in English since at least the 1920s, though what is now called paranormal phenomena has been present in folklore for millennia.

The list of claimed paranormal phenomena is extensive, but they can be roughly divided into several broad groups: apparitional and haunting phenomena (ghost sightings, poltergeist activity, haunted locations), extrasensory perception (clairvoyance, telepathy, psychometry), psychokinesis, out-of-body and near-death experiences, cryptids and unknown creatures (lake and sea monsters, chupacabras, Bigfoot/Sasquatch, Yeti), folklore creatures (vampires, werewolves, fairies), UFOs and alleged extraterrestrial encounters, time anomalies, geographic and environmental anomalies, spiritualism and mediumship, divination practices, reincarnation and past-life claims, curses, energy fields and auras, dream- and sleep-related phenomena, anomalous cognition and coincidences, and unexplained physical events.

Many claimed paranormal phenomena actually have scientific explanations. Their paranormal explanations are usually misunderstandings, misinterpretations, or anomalous variations of natural phenomena. However, surveys have shown that a significant percentage of people believe in at least one paranormal phenomenon.

For instance, a 2006 poll revealed that 57% of Americans believed in psychics and spiritual healing; 41% believed in haunted houses; 40% believed in demonic possession; 29% believed in extrasensory perception; 27% believed in witches; 25% believed in telepathy; 24% believed in clairvoyance and prophecy; 18% believed in intelligent extraterrestrial beings visiting Earth in the past; 17% believed in astrology; 16% believed in mediums; and 16% believed in reincarnation. Between 19% and 39% were unsure about the existence of the paranormal but did not outright deny it.

The origins of National Paranormal Day are unclear, which is quite fitting, but it has been celebrated since at least 2013. There are many ways to celebrate this amazing holiday. Here are just a few ideas:

• Read a nonfiction book or watch a documentary about the paranormal.
• Watch a movie or binge a TV show about the paranormal, such as The Conjuring, The Exorcist (and its many sequels and spin-offs), Rosemary’s Baby, The Shining, The Sixth Sense, Paranormal Activity, Poltergeist, The Blair Witch Project, or The X-Files.
• Throw a paranormal-themed party or sleepover with ghost stories for your friends.
• Research paranormal activities that have occurred in your area.
• Visit a haunted attraction near you.

And don’t forget to share your paranormal experiences and spread the word about the holiday on social media using the hashtag #NationalParanormalDay.