Black Friday 2026 is on Friday, November 27, 2026. It is always the Friday after the fourth Thursday of November (Thanksgiving). Cyber Monday follows three days later.
When do Black Friday deals actually start?
Black Friday is no longer one day. Most big US retailers now run "early Black Friday" events through November, and many online deals go live on Thanksgiving evening or earlier. The deepest discounts on the most wanted items (TVs, game consoles, laptops, smart home devices) still tend to cluster from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday.
Black Friday 2026 week at a glance
| Day | Date | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday before Thanksgiving | Wednesday, November 25, 2026 | One of the busiest travel days of the year |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 26, 2026 | Federal holiday; Macy's parade and NFL games |
| Black Friday | Friday, November 27, 2026 | Biggest in-store shopping day |
| Small Business Saturday | Saturday, November 28, 2026 | Shop local |
| Sunday | Sunday, November 29, 2026 | Return travel peak |
| Cyber Monday | Monday, November 30, 2026 | Biggest online shopping day |
| Giving Tuesday | Tuesday, December 1, 2026 | Global day of giving |
Black Friday prep checklist
- Make a list with a budget for each item. It's the easiest way to avoid impulse buys.
- Track prices now. Note the current price of what you want so you can tell whether a "deal" is real. Price-history tools and browser extensions can show 90-day price charts.
- Create accounts and save payment details on the stores you plan to use; doorbuster stock can sell out in minutes.
- Check return policies, especially extended holiday return windows.
- Sign up for store apps and emails: many retailers send early access to members.
How to spot a fake discount
- Compare the sale price with the price over the last 60–90 days, not the "list" or "was" price.
- Check the exact model number. Some Black Friday TVs and laptops are special models with cheaper parts.
- Be careful with lookalike websites and too-good-to-be-true social media ads. Type the store's address yourself.
Why is it called Black Friday?
The name is usually traced to Philadelphia police in the 1950s and 1960s, who used "Black Friday" to describe the heavy crowds and traffic the day after Thanksgiving. Retailers later popularized a more positive story: that the day's sales pushed stores from losses ("in the red") into profit ("in the black").
Black Friday dates for upcoming years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday, November 27, 2026 | Friday |
| 2027 | Friday, November 26, 2027 | Friday |
| 2028 | Friday, November 24, 2028 | Friday |
| 2029 | Friday, November 23, 2029 | Friday |
| 2030 | Friday, November 29, 2030 | Friday |
| 2031 | Friday, November 28, 2031 | Friday |
How many days until Black Friday from other dates?
Counting from the start of each date to the start of Black Friday 2026 (Friday, November 27, 2026):
| From | Date | Days until Black Friday |
|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving | Thursday, November 26, 2026 | 1 day |
| Diwali | Sunday, November 8, 2026 | 19 days (2 weeks, 5 days) |
| 1st of November | Sunday, November 1, 2026 | 26 days (3 weeks, 5 days) |
| Halloween | Saturday, October 31, 2026 | 27 days (3 weeks, 6 days) |
| Labor Day | Monday, September 7, 2026 | 81 days (11 weeks, 4 days) |
| Fourth of July | Saturday, July 4, 2026 | 146 days (20 weeks, 6 days) |
| Father's Day | Sunday, June 21, 2026 | 159 days (22 weeks, 5 days) |
| New Year's Day 2026 | Thursday, January 1, 2026 | 330 days (47 weeks, 1 day) |
Need a different start date? Count the days from any date to Black Friday.
Black Friday quick facts
- Black Friday always falls between November 23 and 29.
- It is not a federal holiday, but many workers and students have the day off.
- Cyber Monday, the Monday after Thanksgiving, got its name in 2005.
Plan around Black Friday
Count from any date
How many days from your birthday, payday or trip to Black Friday? Pick any start date.
MakerMake your own countdown
Party, trip or deadline around Black Friday? Create a shareable countdown in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What date is Black Friday 2026?
Black Friday 2026 is Friday, November 27, 2026, the day after Thanksgiving.
Is Black Friday a holiday?
No, it's not a federal holiday. However, many businesses and some state governments give employees the day off.
Are Black Friday deals better online or in store?
Most major retailers now match their deals online and in store. Online is easier for comparing prices; in-store doorbusters can be limited to a few units.
When does Black Friday end?
Officially at the end of Friday, but most retailers extend deals through the weekend into Cyber Monday.
How long until Black Friday 2026?
Black Friday 2026 is on Friday, November 27, 2026. The live countdown at the top of this page shows exactly how much time is left in days, hours, minutes and seconds, updated every second in your local time zone.
What day of the week is Black Friday 2026?
Black Friday 2026 falls on a Friday (Friday, November 27, 2026).
How many weeks until Black Friday?
The chip under the countdown shows the weeks and extra days left until Black Friday. The number updates automatically each day, so it's always current.
When is Black Friday 2027?
After 2026, the next Black Friday is on Friday, November 26, 2027. See the table on this page for more upcoming dates.
Does this Black Friday countdown use my time zone?
Yes. The countdown runs to 12:00 AM on Black Friday in the time zone set on your phone or computer, so the numbers are right wherever you are.
Sources
More countdowns like Black Friday
Cyber Monday
November 30, 2026Thanksgiving
November 26, 2026Christmas
December 25, 2026New Year
January 1, 2027Last reviewed: Wednesday, September 30, 2026. The countdown uses your device's clock and time zone. How we get our dates.