When is Black Friday 2026? Friday, November 27

The short answer: When is Black Friday 2026? Black Friday 2026 is Friday, November 27, the day after Thanksgiving. Cyber Monday 2026 is Monday, November 30.

Because Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday in November, Black Friday always lands between November 23 and 29. Below is the full 2026 shopping calendar, dates for the next few years, and a simple plan to get ready.

Planning the money ahead of time is what makes the holidays feel calm. I've always been the one keeping everyone coordinated, and a dated calendar is where I start.

Black Friday 2026 shopping calendar

Why Black Friday moves every year

Black Friday is tied to Thanksgiving. The National Archives explains that Congress set Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November in 1941, after a debate over moving the holiday to give retailers a longer shopping season. Since Thanksgiving falls between November 22 and 28, Black Friday falls between November 23 and 29. See our Thanksgiving date guide for the full holiday weekend.

Black Friday dates for future years

How many days from Black Friday to Christmas in 2026?

Black Friday on November 27 is 28 days before Christmas Day (Friday, December 25), and Cyber Monday on November 30 is 25 days before. That is four weeks for orders to ship, so the most useful dates for gift buyers are:

• By Black Friday: finish your gift list and set target prices (see how to tell if Black Friday deals are real).
• Cyber Monday: buy the rest online, then log every order against one weekend cap with our Black Friday budget guide.
• First two weeks of December: order anything shipping from far away, since delivery cutoffs vary by store and carrier.

Not sure which day to prioritize? Compare them in Black Friday vs Cyber Monday.

Is Black Friday a holiday?

No. Black Friday is not a federal holiday. The Office of Personnel Management's list of federal holidays includes Thanksgiving Day but not the Friday after it. Banks, post offices and federal offices are usually open. Many employers and schools still give the day off, so check your own calendar before you plan a shopping day.

That matters for budgeting. If you are off work, the long weekend makes it easy to spend more than you meant to. Decide your limit on Wednesday, before the turkey, and write it next to each name on your list.

When Black Friday sales actually start

• Early November: many stores post "early Black Friday" deals. Compare them to regular prices before you buy.
• Thanksgiving Day: many online sales go live; some stores open in the evening, but many now stay closed.
• Black Friday: in-store doorbusters and limited-quantity deals.
• The weekend: sales continue, and small shops run their own on Small Business Saturday.
• Cyber Monday: the biggest online push, and some deals extend through the week.

A 4-week Black Friday prep plan

1. 4 weeks out: set one total holiday budget and decide how much of it belongs to the sales weekend. Our Black Friday budget guide walks through it.
2. 3 weeks out: list each person and the gifts you plan to buy, with a spending cap for each.
3. 2 weeks out: write down the regular price of every item on your list so you can tell whether a deal is real.
4. 1 week out: finalize your Black Friday shopping list and check return policies. For more on this topic, see our holiday shopping tips hub.

The FTC's online shopping tips suggest checking who you're buying from and paying by credit card for stronger dispute protections. The FTC also recommends knowing a store's return policy before you buy, since policies vary from store to store. Still deciding where to shop? Compare Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday and see the best things to buy on Black Friday.

Keep the sales weekend on budget

• Christmas Budget & Gift Planner, $4.99. Set a budget for every person, log each purchase, and track online orders so nothing gets lost in the shipping rush.
• Holiday Season Bundle, $15.99 (regularly $25.94 for the six items bought separately). The gift planner plus savings trackers, a meal planner and a cleaning schedule.
• Ultimate Budget Bundle, $19.99 (regularly $46.42 for the eight items bought separately). For getting the whole household budget in shape before and after the holidays.

Browse the Holiday shop or all our Printables. The free Holiday Budget Starter Kit is 3 US Letter pages, emailed after you join the list.

Shopping online after the weekend? See our Cyber Monday deals guide for the 2026 dates and what usually goes on sale.