Black Friday 2026 falls on Friday, November 27, the day after Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 26). Cyber Monday follows on November 30. The real savings window is much longer than one day, though. Retailers now roll out "early Black Friday" deals weeks in advance, and many of the best prices appear before the day itself. This guide covers the dates that matter, when sales are likely to start, what's worth buying, and how to stack promo codes on top of sale prices so you pay the lowest price possible.
Black Friday 2026 at a Glance
- Black Friday: Friday, November 27, 2026
- Cyber Monday: Monday, November 30, 2026
- Cyber Week: Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday (November 26–30)
- Early deals: expected to run through most of November
- Typical discount depth: Adobe forecasts discounts of up to 30% off list price during Cyber Week
- Best strategy: make a list now, track prices, then stack a coupon code on the sale price at checkout
When Is Black Friday 2026? Key Dates to Know
Black Friday is always the day after Thanksgiving in the US, which lands on the fourth Thursday of November. In 2026 that puts the main shopping weekend later than usual, so the early-deal season has extra room to stretch out.
|
Date |
Event |
What to expect |
|
Early–mid November |
Early Black Friday sales |
First waves of discounts from big retailers, often matching Black Friday prices on select items |
|
Wednesday, November 11 |
Singles' Day (11.11) |
The biggest sale of the year on global marketplaces like AliExpress |
|
Thursday, November 26 |
Thanksgiving |
Many online Black Friday deals go live; Cyber Week begins |
|
Friday, November 27 |
Black Friday |
Doorbusters, sitewide sales and the deepest discounts in stores and online |
|
Saturday, November 28 |
Small Business Saturday |
Deals from independent and local brands |
|
Monday, November 30 |
Cyber Monday |
Online-focused deals, especially on tech, software and fashion |
Bookmark our Black Friday coupons and deals page. We add verified codes as stores announce their offers.
When Do Black Friday Sales Start in 2026?
As of mid-October, most major US retailers had not yet published their official 2026 Black Friday dates. Last year's schedule is the best guide to what's coming:
- Amazon ran its Black Friday Week from November 20 through December 1 in 2025, with Prime members getting early access to some deals.
- Walmart held an early event in mid-November, then its main Black Friday event from November 25 to 30.
- Best Buy started its early Black Friday sale on October 31.
Expect similar timing this year. Amazon has already held its October sale, Prime Big Deal Days, on October 6–7, and other retailers typically respond with their own early holiday deals. If an item you want hits a price you're happy with in early November, there's usually little reason to wait. Many stores repeat their best early prices on Black Friday rather than beating them.
Black Friday 2026 by the Numbers
Adobe's 2026 holiday shopping forecast shows how big this season is expected to be:
- US shoppers are expected to spend a record $275.1 billion online between November 1 and December 31, up 6.7% from last year.
- Cyber Week (Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday) is forecast to bring in $47.5 billion online.
- Cyber Monday should remain the single biggest online shopping day at $15.1 billion, but Black Friday is set to grow faster because discounts are starting earlier.
- Electronics ($63.3 billion) and apparel ($51.3 billion) are the two largest online categories of the season.
- More than half of holiday spending (57.4%) is expected to happen on mobile.
In short, more people will shop earlier and on their phones. That makes it more important to have your list and your coupon codes ready before the rush.
What's Worth Buying on Black Friday?
Not every category hits its yearly low in November. These are the ones that usually do:
Electronics and smart home
Laptops, headphones, TVs, smart home devices and portable power stations see some of the deepest cuts of the year. Our Black Friday electronics deals guide covers what to target. You can also browse current electronics coupons before prices drop.
Beauty and skincare
Beauty brands run some of the most generous gift-with-purchase and sitewide offers of the year. Adobe expects online cosmetics spending to rise 9.5% this season. See our picks in Black Friday beauty and skincare deals.
Clothing and basics
Adobe projects online sales of clothing basics to jump 210% during Cyber Week compared with September. Winter coats, knitwear and everyday basics are strong buys. Our month-by-month clothing sales calendar explains why late November is the peak for fashion discounts.
What to skip
Some products are cheaper at other times of year, such as spring clothing, outdoor furniture and anything that gets a new model in the next few months. Read our full list of what to buy and what to skip on Black Friday before you add to cart.
How to Stack Promo Codes on Black Friday Deals
A sale price is only the first layer of savings. Stacking means combining several discounts on one order. Here's the order that usually works best:
- Start with the sale price. Find the item at its Black Friday price on the store's site.
- Add a promo code. Many stores accept a sitewide or first-order code on top of sale prices. Check the store's page on DiscountCrown for verified codes before you check out.
- Hit the free shipping threshold. If you're just under the minimum, adding a small item you need is often cheaper than paying shipping.
- Use a gift card promotion. Some retailers give a bonus gift card when you spend a set amount, which you can use on a later order.
- Pay with a rewards card. Card points or cash back add one more layer that doesn't depend on the store.
Watch for exclusions. Many stores block coupon codes on doorbusters or already-reduced items, and most allow only one code per order. Always read the code's terms and confirm the discount appears in your cart total before paying. For more tips, read how to find coupon codes that actually work.
Your Black Friday 2026 Game Plan
Follow this timeline to be ready before the best deals sell out:
- Now – November 10: Make a list with a budget for each item. Note current prices so you can tell a real deal from a fake one. Sign up for emails from your favorite stores, since many send early-access codes to subscribers.
- November 11: Shop Singles' Day if you buy from global marketplaces. Our AliExpress 11.11 and Black Friday sale guide explains how to combine store coupons with platform discounts.
- November 12 – 25: Buy early deals that already match your target price. Check return windows, since many stores extend holiday returns into January.
- November 26 – 27: Shop Thanksgiving and Black Friday deals. Move fast on limited-stock items and apply a coupon code at checkout.
- November 28 – 30: Catch weekend restocks and Cyber Monday deals for anything left on your list.
Black Friday or Cyber Monday: Which Is Better?
It depends on what you're buying. Black Friday tends to be stronger for big-ticket electronics, home goods and limited doorbusters. Cyber Monday is the biggest online day of the year and often brings extra deals on fashion, software and online-only brands. Our Black Friday vs Cyber Monday comparison breaks it down by category.
How to Avoid Fake Black Friday Discounts
Some "deals" are just regular prices with a bigger crossed-out number next to them. Protect yourself with three quick checks:
- Compare against the price you noted earlier in the season, not the "was" price on the page.
- Buy only from the official store website or a trusted retailer, especially when a discount looks unusually large.
- Be wary of deals sent by text or social media that push you to pay outside the store's normal checkout.
Learn the warning signs in our guide on how to spot fake Black Friday discounts.
Where to Find Verified Black Friday Promo Codes
DiscountCrown lists coupon codes and deals for more than 5,000 stores. These popular stores are worth checking before Black Friday:
- AliExpress promo codes: store coupons and platform discounts for 11.11 and Black Friday
- Zaful coupon codes: affordable fashion and swimwear
- Anker SOLIX promotion codes: portable power stations and solar generators
- SwitchBot coupon codes: smart home devices
- DermSilk discount codes: luxury skincare
- StrawberryNET coupon codes: beauty and fragrance
You can also browse deals by category, including clothing and fashion, cosmetics and electronics.
Start Planning Your Black Friday Savings
The biggest savings go to shoppers who plan ahead. Make your list now, watch for early deals in November, and never check out without a promo code. Start with our Black Friday 2026 deals and promo codes, and come back often. We update codes daily through Cyber Monday.
