Mark your calendar: Black Friday 2026 falls on Friday, Nov. 27, and Cyber Monday is Nov. 30. But if you wait until then to shop, you’ll miss a big chunk of the deals. Major retailers including Amazon, Walmart, Target and Best Buy have already announced sales that start days or even weeks earlier.
Here’s the complete calendar of announced 2026 Black Friday sale dates, how shoppers plan to spend this year, and seven smart ways to make sure you’re actually getting a deal.
Black Friday 2026 Dates: The Key Days to Know
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Thanksgiving | Thursday, Nov. 26 |
| Black Friday | Friday, Nov. 27 |
| Small Business Saturday | Saturday, Nov. 28 |
| Cyber Monday | Monday, Nov. 30 |
Black Friday and Cyber Monday dates are confirmed by TODAY and NerdWallet. NerdWallet describes the core sale period as five days, starting with Thanksgiving and ending on Cyber Monday.
When Black Friday Sales Start at Major Retailers
These are the 2026 sale dates retailers have announced so far, as reported by Amazon, TODAY and NerdWallet. Dates can change, so check each retailer’s site before you shop.
Amazon Black Friday 2026
Amazon’s Black Friday Week and Cyber Monday deal events kick off at 12:01 a.m. PST on Nov. 19 and run through Nov. 30, according to Amazon. Early holiday deals have been live since Oct. 29, per NerdWallet.
Walmart Black Friday 2026
- Event 1: Nov. 12-15 (happening now through Sunday).
- Event 2: Deals begin online Nov. 23, with in-store deals Nov. 27-29, according to NerdWallet.
- Cyber Monday deals: Start Nov. 30 at 12:01 a.m. ET and run through Dec. 2, per TODAY.
Target Black Friday 2026
Target’s early Black Friday sale ran Nov. 5-7, and NerdWallet reports the retailer’s Black Friday deals run Nov. 1 through Dec. 24, with “Deal of the Day” specials. Target will also price match its own products if the price drops between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24, 2026, according to NerdWallet.
Best Buy and Kohl’s
- Best Buy: Black Friday sale Nov. 19-28, with doorbusters added in waves, per NerdWallet.
- Kohl’s: Black Friday deals Nov. 22-28. Thanksgiving deals are online only, and in-store sales start at 5 a.m. local time on Nov. 27, per NerdWallet.
How Much Americans Plan to Spend This Holiday Season
The National Retail Federation predicts holiday sales will grow 4.2% over 2025, according to NerdWallet. But individual shoppers are tightening their belts.
NerdWallet’s 2026 Holiday Spending Report, conducted online by The Harris Poll, found that people plan to spend an average of $879 on gifts this year, down 21% from $1,107 last year. And 86% of holiday shoppers plan to use at least one money-saving strategy, such as coupons and promo codes (42%) or shopping sales like Black Friday (41%).
Prices are a big part of the story. “Because of inflation, companies have become more sophisticated in their ability to raise prices,” Mark Bergen, a marketing professor at the University of Minnesota, told NerdWallet. He added that retailers can now “give more targeted discounts to their members.” That means a “sale” price isn’t always a real bargain, and membership programs may unlock the best offers.
7 Black Friday Shopping Tips to Get Real Deals
- Make a list and a budget now. Write down who you’re buying for and your maximum spend per person before the emails start flooding in.
- Check price history. Amazon shows up to 365 days of pricing data on product pages through its Price History feature, according to the company. If the “deal” price matches last month’s regular price, skip it.
- Set price alerts. Amazon says Alexa can track prices and send deal alerts. Many browser extensions and retailer apps offer similar tools.
- Use price-match policies. Target’s holiday policy covers its own price drops through Dec. 24. NerdWallet reports Walmart has not announced a 2026 holiday price-match policy and that Amazon doesn’t price match.
- Weigh memberships carefully. Members-only sales can unlock early access and extra discounts, but only sign up if the savings beat the fee.
- Shop early for popular items. With Amazon and Best Buy starting Nov. 19, the most-wanted toys and electronics may sell out before Black Friday itself.
- Keep receipts and know return windows. Holiday return policies often differ from standard ones. Save every receipt and order confirmation.
Plan Your Thanksgiving Week Around the Deals
Black Friday lands in the middle of one of the busiest weeks of the year. If you’re hosting, our guide to Thanksgiving dinner on a budget can help you save on food so you have more left over for gifts. And if you’re watching your money closely this season, our latest market coverage explains why interest rates are climbing, which can make carrying a holiday credit card balance more expensive.
The bottom line: the best Black Friday 2026 deals start well before Nov. 27. Make your list this weekend, set your alerts, and let the sales come to you.
Sale dates are based on retailer announcements and reports as of Nov. 14, 2026, and may change.
