Days Until Black Friday 2026 - Complete Black Friday Shopping Guide
Black Friday 2026 falls on Friday, November 27, the day after Thanksgiving. As the biggest shopping day of the year in the United States, Black Friday kicks off the holiday shopping season with deals on everything from electronics to clothing. This guide covers shopping strategies, price tracking tips, the best categories for deals, store opening times, and how to navigate both in-store and online sales. Use our live Black Friday countdown to track the exact days remaining.
- Black Friday 2026 is on Friday, November 27 -- the day after Thanksgiving
- Cyber Monday 2026: November 30 -- often has equal or better online deals
- U.S. consumers spent $9.8 billion online on Black Friday 2023, according to Adobe Analytics
- Best deals: TVs, laptops, tablets, small appliances, toys, and clothing
- Avoid buying: Furniture, winter coats (better in January), and gym equipment
- Use price tracking tools to verify "deals" -- about 30% of Black Friday prices match other times of the year
Black Friday Dates 2024-2030
Black Friday always falls the day after Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday of November). Here are the dates for Black Friday and the related shopping holidays through 2030.
| Year | Thanksgiving | Black Friday | Small Business Saturday | Cyber Monday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | November 28 | November 29 | November 30 | December 2 |
| 2025 | November 27 | November 28 | November 29 | December 1 |
| 2026 | November 26 | November 27 | November 28 | November 30 |
| 2027 | November 25 | November 26 | November 27 | November 29 |
| 2028 | November 23 | November 24 | November 25 | November 27 |
| 2029 | November 22 | November 23 | November 24 | November 26 |
| 2030 | November 28 | November 29 | November 30 | December 2 |
Note that when Thanksgiving falls later (like 2024 and 2030), there are fewer shopping days between Black Friday and Christmas, which sometimes leads to more aggressive deals from retailers.
History of Black Friday
The term "Black Friday" has an interesting evolution from a negative connotation to the shopping phenomenon it is today.
| Era | Development | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1869 | First "Black Friday" | Originally referred to a financial crisis when gold prices crashed on September 24, 1869 |
| 1950s | Philadelphia police usage | Police used "Black Friday" to describe chaotic crowds flooding the city the day after Thanksgiving |
| 1960s | Term spreads regionally | Businesses tried to rebrand it as "Big Friday" (failed); the negative term stuck |
| 1980s | Retail rebranding | Retailers spun the term positively, claiming stores went from "red" (losses) to "black" (profits) |
| 2005 | Cyber Monday coined | The term was created by the National Retail Federation to boost online sales |
| 2010s | Thanksgiving creep | Stores began opening on Thanksgiving evening; some pushback from employees and customers |
| 2020s | Online dominance | Online sales now match or exceed in-store; deals spread across entire "Black Friday Week" |
Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday: Which Has Better Deals?
Both days offer significant discounts, but they tend to excel in different categories. Here is a comparison to help you decide where to focus your shopping.
| Category | Best Day | Typical Discount | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TVs | Black Friday | 30-50% | Doorbuster TVs are Black Friday staples; Cyber Monday has fewer TV deals |
| Laptops | Both | 20-40% | Similar deals both days; check both for best selection |
| Tablets | Both | 20-35% | iPads often see best prices on Black Friday; Android tablets similar both days |
| Smartphones | Black Friday | $200-400 off with trade-in | Carrier deals and trade-in offers tend to peak on Black Friday |
| Small Appliances | Black Friday | 40-60% | Instant Pots, air fryers, and kitchen gadgets are Black Friday winners |
| Software & Subscriptions | Cyber Monday | 30-50% | Digital products historically discounted more heavily on Cyber Monday |
| Clothing & Fashion | Both | 30-50% | Similar deals; online-only retailers may favor Cyber Monday |
| Toys | Black Friday | 30-50% | Top toys sell out fast in-store; check online early |
| Video Games | Both | $20-40 off consoles; games 30-50% off | Digital game deals often extend through the week |
| Smart Home Devices | Both | 30-50% | Amazon devices heavily discounted both days |
Spending Comparison
| Year | Black Friday Online Spending | Cyber Monday Online Spending | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $8.9 billion | $10.7 billion | Cyber Monday |
| 2022 | $9.1 billion | $11.3 billion | Cyber Monday |
| 2023 | $9.8 billion | $12.4 billion | Cyber Monday |
Cyber Monday has consistently outpaced Black Friday in total online spending since 2017, though Black Friday still dominates in-store retail sales.
What to Buy (and What to Avoid) on Black Friday
Not everything is a good deal on Black Friday. Smart shoppers know which categories offer genuine savings and which are better purchased at other times.
Best Things to Buy on Black Friday
| Category | Why It's a Good Deal | Shopping Tips |
|---|---|---|
| TVs | Retailers use TVs as loss leaders to drive traffic; genuine 30-50% discounts | Research model numbers; some "Black Friday models" are lower-spec versions |
| Laptops & Tablets | Strong competition among retailers; good deals on previous-gen models | Know the specs you need; compare to regular prices using price trackers |
| Small Kitchen Appliances | Instant Pots, air fryers, and stand mixers see steep discounts (40-60% off) | These deals often sell out; check online at midnight |
| Toys | Retailers compete for parents' holiday budgets; 30-50% off popular items | Hot toys sell out fast; have backups in mind |
| Video Game Consoles | Bundles with extra games or controllers common; $50-100 savings | Check for bundle value; sometimes base console alone is better |
| Headphones & Earbuds | Premium brands (Sony, Bose, Apple) see rare discounts of 20-40% | AirPods typically hit lowest prices of the year |
| Streaming Subscriptions | Many services offer 50%+ off annual subscriptions | Stack with student discounts if eligible |
What NOT to Buy on Black Friday
| Category | Why to Wait | Better Time to Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Clothing | Retailers need to sell at full price during peak season | January-February clearance sales (50-70% off) |
| Furniture | Black Friday discounts are modest (10-20%); better deals exist | Presidents' Day (February), Memorial Day, Labor Day |
| Exercise Equipment | Gyms and equipment sellers profit from New Year's resolutions first | Late January-February when resolution buyers give up |
| Christmas Decorations | Prices are highest during the season | December 26 and after (50-75% off) |
| Bedding & Linens | Modest Black Friday discounts | January "White Sales" offer better deals |
| Tools | Black Friday deals are okay but not exceptional | Father's Day (June) has better tool sales |
Black Friday Shopping Strategy
Maximize your savings and minimize stress with these proven Black Friday shopping strategies.
Before Black Friday
- Make a list and set a budget: Impulse buys are the #1 budget killer on Black Friday. Decide what you need before sales start.
- Track prices in advance: Use tools like CamelCamelCamel (for Amazon) or Honey to see price history. About 30% of "deals" match or exceed regular prices.
- Sign up for retailer emails: Many stores send early access deals or exclusive coupons to email subscribers.
- Download store apps: Some retailers offer app-exclusive deals or earlier access to sales.
- Create accounts in advance: Pre-fill shipping and payment info on sites you plan to shop so checkout is fast.
On Black Friday
- Start online at midnight: Most online deals go live at 12:00 AM ET on Black Friday (some even earlier on Thanksgiving).
- Use multiple browsers/devices: If one site crashes or slows down, have backups ready.
- Know the return policy: Holiday return windows are often extended; know the deadlines.
- Price match after purchase: If an item drops further after you buy, many retailers will refund the difference within a window.
- Skip the in-store doorbuster lines: Many "in-store only" deals are now available online. The savings rarely justify hours of waiting.
Price Tracking Tools
| Tool | What It Does | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| CamelCamelCamel | Tracks Amazon price history; shows all-time lows | Amazon shoppers |
| Honey | Browser extension that auto-applies coupons and tracks prices | Multi-retailer shopping |
| Keepa | Detailed Amazon price charts and alerts | Power users tracking specific products |
| Google Shopping | Price comparison across retailers; price drop alerts | Comparing deals across stores |
Store Opening Times on Black Friday 2026
While many deals are available online, some shoppers still prefer the in-store experience. Here are typical opening times for major retailers (confirm with individual stores as times may vary).
| Retailer | Thanksgiving | Black Friday | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Online all day | Online all day | Deals often start a week early; Lightning Deals throughout the day |
| Walmart | Closed (online deals active) | 6:00 AM | Online deals start Wednesday evening; in-store Friday morning |
| Target | Closed | 7:00 AM | Target has remained closed on Thanksgiving since 2021 |
| Best Buy | Closed (online active) | 5:00 AM | Doorbuster deals require early arrival; online deals match in-store |
| Costco | Closed | 9:00 AM | Member-only deals; some available online for non-members |
| Home Depot | Closed | 6:00 AM | Strong tool and appliance deals |
| Lowe's | Closed | 6:00 AM | Competes with Home Depot on appliances and tools |
| Macy's | Closed | 6:00 AM | Parade sponsor; strong clothing and home goods deals |
| Kohl's | Closed | 5:00 AM | Kohl's Cash promotions stack with Black Friday deals |
Note: Since 2020, many major retailers have kept stores closed on Thanksgiving Day, shifting focus to online sales and Black Friday morning openings. This trend has largely continued.
Black Friday Statistics
Black Friday has grown into a massive economic event. Here are key statistics that illustrate its scale.
| Statistic | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Black Friday 2023 online spending | $9.8 billion | Adobe Analytics |
| Cyber Monday 2023 online spending | $12.4 billion | Adobe Analytics |
| Total Thanksgiving weekend spending (2023) | $38 billion | National Retail Federation |
| Average spend per shopper | $321 | National Retail Federation |
| Percentage shopping online | 67% | Adobe Analytics |
| Most popular category | Electronics | Multiple sources |
| Peak online shopping hour | 9 PM - 10 PM ET | Adobe Analytics |
| Mobile purchases | 54% of online sales | Adobe Analytics |
Small Business Saturday
Sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday (November 28, 2026) encourages shoppers to support local businesses. Started by American Express in 2010, it has become an important shopping day for independent retailers.
- Why shop small: Money spent at local businesses stays in the community; unique products not found at big-box stores
- What to buy: Gifts, specialty foods, handmade items, local art, services (salon, spa gift cards)
- How to find deals: Check local business social media; many offer special promotions for the day
- American Express offer: Amex cardholders often get statement credits for shopping at small businesses
Frequently Asked Questions
Black Friday 2026 is on Friday, November 27, 2026. It always falls the day after Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday of November). Use our live Black Friday countdown to track the days remaining.
The term originated in Philadelphia in the 1950s, where police used it to describe the chaotic day after Thanksgiving when crowds flooded the city. Later, retailers adopted the term with a positive spin, claiming it was when stores moved from "red" (losses) to "black" (profits) for the year. The accounting explanation is likely a retroactive justification rather than the true origin.
Cyber Monday often has better deals on electronics, software, and online-exclusive items, while Black Friday tends to have stronger deals on TVs, appliances, and in-store doorbusters. Cyber Monday has grown to surpass Black Friday in total online spending ($12.4B vs $9.8B in 2023). For the best results, shop both days and compare.
Many major retailers open at 5 AM or 6 AM on Black Friday. Most stores now remain closed on Thanksgiving Day. Online deals typically start at midnight or even earlier in the week. Always check individual retailer websites for exact times, as they vary by location and year.
Some Black Friday deals offer genuine savings of 30-50%, particularly on TVs, laptops, and small appliances. However, studies show about 30% of "deals" are the same or similar to prices at other times of the year. Use price tracking tools like CamelCamelCamel or Honey to verify that discounts are real before buying.
The best Black Friday deals are typically on: TVs (30-50% off), laptops and tablets (20-40% off), small kitchen appliances (40-60% off), toys (30-50% off), and headphones (20-40% off). Avoid buying furniture, winter clothing (better deals in January), and exercise equipment (cheaper after New Year's).
Many retailers now start Black Friday deals weeks in advance. Amazon, Walmart, and Target often launch "early Black Friday" sales in the first or second week of November. The main push of deals typically begins on Thanksgiving Day (online) and continues through Cyber Monday, creating a five-day shopping event.