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Black Friday falls on Friday November 27 in 2026, the day after Thanksgiving. While it has traditionally marked the start of the holiday shopping session, many retailers now launch Black Friday promotions days or weeks in advance. Some begin offering “early Black Friday” sales in early or mid-November, while others roll out promotions throughout the month.
Black Friday sales often continue through the weekend and into Cyber Monday, which falls on November 30, 2026. Some retailers may extend promotions beyond Cyber Monday as part of a broader Cyber Week or holiday shopping campaign.
Here’s what you need to know about Black Friday 2026 and how to get your finances ready for the holiday shopping season.
Key Points
• Black Friday falls the day after Thanksgiving, which is November 27 in 2026.
• Retailers often begin their promotions in early or mid-November, so you may want to start tracking prices well before the actual event.
• Cyber Monday follows on November 30, 2026, often extending the holiday shopping period into a broader Cyber Week.
• Establishing a holiday budget before you start shopping can help you manage your expenses and avoid impulse purchases.
• You might consider using a high-yield savings account or a digital vault to set aside specific funds for your holiday shopping.
When Is Black Friday This Year?
Black Friday 2026 is on Friday, November 27. It falls one day after Thanksgiving and is traditionally considered the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season.
The event is known for discounts on electronics, appliances, clothing, toys, home goods, and other popular holiday purchases. Although Black Friday was once primarily associated with crowded stores and early-morning shopping, online sales have become an equally important part of the event.
When Do Black Friday Sales Start?
Black Friday sales don’t necessarily begin on Black Friday. Retailers have increasingly spread their promotions across November rather than concentrating them on a single day.
Some retailers launch early Black Friday promotions in early or mid-November, while others begin discounts a week before November 27. Some deals may also start on Thanksgiving Day, while others are reserved for Black Friday itself.
Sales often continue through the weekend following Thanksgiving. Cyber Monday arrives on November 30 in 2026, when retailers typically emphasize online promotions. In recent years, many businesses have extended Cyber Monday discounts into a broader Cyber Week shopping period.
Because sales can begin weeks before Black Friday, you may want to start comparing prices and tracking potential purchases well before November 27.
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What Is Black Friday?
Black Friday is an annual shopping event held the day after Thanksgiving in the United States. Retailers typically offer discounts and promotions designed to attract holiday shoppers, both online and in stores.
The event can also provide a snapshot of consumer spending. Black Friday shopping activity, along with broader holiday sales figures, can offer businesses and economists insight into consumer demand and discretionary spending. However, Black Friday results alone don’t provide a complete measure of the overall health of the economy.
Recent Black Friday statistics illustrate the scale of the event:
• U.S. online spending on Black Friday 2025: $11.8 billion
• Global online spending on Black Friday 2025: $79 billion
• Total U.S. in-person Black Friday participation in 2025: 80.3 million shoppers
• Total U.S. online Black Friday participation in 2025: 85.7 million shoppers
Why Is It Called Black Friday?
The popular explanation that “Black Friday” refers to retailers moving from “the red” to “the black” as they become profitable is widely repeated, but it isn’t the original source of the term.
The term is generally traced to Philadelphia in the 1950s and 1960s. Police officers used “Black Friday” to describe the difficult day after Thanksgiving, when heavy traffic, large crowds, and higher rates of accidents and shoplifting created additional work.
The retail-related expression became more popular later as retailers and the media gave the term a more positive association with holiday shopping and sales.
How To Prepare Your Finances for Black Friday
Black Friday can make it tempting to spend more than you planned, particularly when retailers promote limited-time discounts. Preparing a budget and setting aside money ahead of time can help you take advantage of deals without overspending.
1. Create a Holiday Budget
Start by determining how much money you can comfortably put toward holiday purchases. You can use a monthly budget calculator or another budgeting tool to see how much room you have for seasonal spending.
Next, make a list of the people you plan to shop for, how much you want to spend on each person, and potential gift ideas. Having a spending limit in place before Black Friday can make it easier to avoid impulse purchases.
You may also want to track prices for items you’re considering. Knowing an item’s typical price can help you determine whether a Black Friday discount represents a substantial savings.
2. Track Sales and Compare Prices
Don’t assume an advertised Black Friday discount is automatically a good deal. Before making a purchase, it’s wise to compare prices across multiple retailers and, when possible, check an item’s price history. This can help you determine whether the sale price is actually lower than what the item typically costs.
You can also sign up for price alerts or use price-tracking tools to monitor products you’re interested in before Black Friday. Also be sure to check shipping costs, return policies, warranties, and other terms before making a purchase. A lower advertised price may not be the best overall value if additional costs or restrictions apply.
3. Set Up a High-Yield Savings Vault
Consider setting aside money specifically for holiday spending before Black Friday arrives. You could open a high-yield savings account specifically earmarked for holiday savings. Alternatively, many banks offer digital savings buckets or vaults within a single account, making it easier to keep holiday funds separate from your everyday expenses.
You might also automate regular transfers from your checking account to gradually build your holiday shopping fund. Saving in advance can help you stick to your budget and avoid relying on credit cards or other debt to cover holiday expenses.
The Takeaway
Black Friday 2026 falls on Friday, November 27, with Cyber Monday following on November 30. However, shoppers shouldn’t assume that the best — or only — Black Friday deals will be available on those dates. Many retailers begin promotions earlier and extend sales through Cyber Week.
If you plan to shop during the holiday sales season, consider creating a budget and setting aside money in advance. Comparing prices and tracking sales can also help you distinguish genuine discounts from deals that just look like a good bargain.
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FAQ
Are Black Friday deals actually the best prices?
Black Friday deals can offer significant savings, but they aren’t always the lowest prices available. Some retailers may offer similar or better discounts at other times of the year, and advertised discounts don’t necessarily reflect an item’s typical selling price. Comparing prices and checking price histories can help you determine whether a Black Friday deal is worthwhile. It’s also a good idea to consider shipping costs, return policies, and other terms before making a purchase.
Is Cyber Monday better than Black Friday?
Neither day is consistently better. Black Friday often features strong discounts on electronics, appliances, toys, and other major purchases, while Cyber Monday has traditionally emphasized online deals. However, retailers increasingly run promotions across both events, and some deals may last throughout the entire holiday weekend. Comparing prices rather than focusing on a particular day can help you find the best value.
Do Black Friday sales start on Thanksgiving Day?
Some Black Friday sales start on Thanksgiving Day, but the timing varies by retailer. Many businesses now launch promotions several days or even weeks before Black Friday, while others may begin specific deals on Thanksgiving or wait until November 27. Checking retailer websites and sale announcements ahead of time can help you determine when particular promotions become available.
Can you return items bought on Black Friday?
Black Friday purchases are generally subject to the retailer’s standard return policy, but some stores may have different rules for holiday or promotional purchases. Before buying, check the return window, exclusions, restocking fees, and whether the item must be unopened or in its original packaging. Keep your receipt or order confirmation in case you need to return or exchange the purchase.
How much do people typically spend on Black Friday?
Data suggests that the average shopper spends around $650 during the Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales period. However, actual spending varies widely from a few discounted items to major holiday purchases. Rather than using an average spending figure as a target, consider setting a personal Black Friday budget based on your income, savings, and other holiday expenses. This can help you take advantage of sales without spending more than you can comfortably afford.
Photo credit: iStock/Maksym Belchenko
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