When Is Black Friday 2026? Dates, Deals and What to Expect
With holiday budgets under pressure, knowing when and where to shop could help you make the most of Black Friday savings.
Black Friday 2026 falls on Friday, November 27, and shoppers are gearing up for one of the biggest shopping events of the year.
According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), 56% of holiday shoppers say the state of the economy will affect their spending plans this year. With budgets top of mind, finding the best Black Friday deals could be more important than ever.
If you're wondering when Black Friday sales start or which products are worth buying, here's what you need to know to make the most of Black Friday 2026.
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When does Black Friday start?
Black Friday always falls on the day after Thanksgiving. In 2026, Black Friday is Friday, November 27.
However, Black Friday is no longer just a one-day shopping event. Many major retailers now launch early Black Friday deals days or even weeks before Thanksgiving, giving shoppers more opportunities to save throughout November.
When does Black Friday end?
As we mentioned above, Black Friday isn’t really a one-day event anymore. Typically, sales now run over the entire Black Friday weekend and lead into Cyber Monday, the online shopping equivalent.
This means we expect Black Friday sales to finally wind down on Tuesday, December 2 ... and then the holiday sales shopping starts!
What is Black Friday?
Black Friday is the name given to the Friday after Thanksgiving, and it's now synonymous with pre-Christmas deals in countries all over the globe.
The first (recorded) mention of the phrase was in November 1951 in the journal Factory Management and Maintenace, where it was used to describe people taking sick leave after Thanksgiving to get a four-day weekend.
In the early 1960s, traffic-weary police in Philadelphia were using Black Friday and Black Saturday to refer to the terrible traffic that started to appear over Thanksgiving weekend.
What to expect from Black Friday 2026
Shoppers can expect discounts across a wide range of categories this Black Friday, including TVs, laptops, kitchen appliances, smart home devices, toys, clothing and beauty products. Electronics and popular holiday gifts typically see some of the biggest promotions, although not every advertised deal represents the lowest price of the year.
Major retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy and Costco, are expected to offer Black Friday sales both online and in stores. Many also roll out early deals throughout November, giving shoppers more time to compare prices and avoid last-minute purchases.
To stay ahead of the sales, check retailers' Black Friday landing pages, browse their weekly ads and consider signing up for free loyalty programs that may offer exclusive discounts or early access to promotions.
Is Black Friday worth it?
The answer to this question is entirely dependent on whether you were planning on splashing the cash before Black Friday.
If you were looking to make a big purchase like upgrading a TV or you’re looking to do the bulk of your holiday shopping at this time of year, there’s every chance that you could make some great savings with Black Friday deals.
That being said, not all deals are created equally; sometimes, prices on certain goods will shoot up in the weeks leading up to Black Friday, meaning that the "saving" you’re getting isn’t actually as good as it looks.
To get the most out of Black Friday, we strongly suggest you plan ahead to make the most of Black Friday. Make a list of some of the things you’re looking for, and set a budget that you can reasonably stick to.
By deciding what items, brands, or models you’re in the market for ahead of time, you can navigate the massive deals pages on retailer websites or take a little bit of the stress out of shopping in-store. And if you have a budget to stick to, you might be less likely to overspend or be tempted by regrettable impulse buys.
Related Content
- 4 Reasons You Shouldn't Wait Until Black Friday to Start Holiday Shopping
- Tips to Score Black Friday Discounts
- When Is Cyber Monday?
