What Is Black Friday? 

Black Friday is the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season in the United States. It falls on the day after Thanksgiving, when many retailers cut prices to draw in early holiday shoppers. 

The name goes back to the 1950s. Police in Philadelphia used it to describe the heavy traffic and crowds that showed up the day after Thanksgiving each year. Retailers later gave the term a friendlier spin, tying it to the idea of stores moving from financial losses, tracked in red ink, into profit, tracked in black ink. 

Today, Black Friday has grown far beyond one single day. It now kicks off a shopping stretch that runs through Cyber Monday and into December. 

Where Did the Name “Black Friday” Come From? 

The name has a messier history than most people assume. 

Police officers in Philadelphia coined the term in the 1950s. They used it to describe the chaos of Thanksgiving weekend traffic and crowds, not the shopping itself. Local shop owners hated the negative label and tried renaming it “Big Friday” in 1961. That effort failed, and the original name stuck for good. 

A different explanation became popular decades later. It claims stores moved from financial losses, or being “in the red,” to profits, or being “in the black,” on this one day. That story sounds tidy, but it only started spreading in the 1980s, long after the term already existed. It’s a myth that stuck around because it’s easy to remember, not because it’s true. 

One more claim circulates online, tying the name to the sale of enslaved people. Historians have checked this thoroughly and found no evidence to support it. The real origin traces back to Philadelphia police reports, not that false story. 

How Is the Black Friday Date Set Each Year? 

Black Friday always follows Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November every year. That makes Black Friday the day right after it, on the fourth Friday of November. 

The exact date still shifts year to year. It depends on which day of the week November 1 lands on. 

In 2026, November 1 falls on a Sunday. That pushes Thanksgiving to November 26 and Black Friday to November 27. 

Key Dates for the 2026 Holiday Shopping Season 

Mark these dates now. Retailers plan their biggest sales around each one. 

Together, these five days make up “Cyber Week,” the busiest stretch of the holiday shopping season. Most retailers run deals across the entire week, not just one day. 

What Time Do Black Friday Sales Start in 2026? 

Store hours vary by retailer, but a pattern has held for years. Many big-box stores open between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Black Friday itself. Some open even earlier, on Thanksgiving evening or at midnight. 

Online sales work differently. Most major retailers start Black Friday pricing online days or weeks before November 27. Check each retailer’s site in early November for exact start times and early access offers. 

Black Friday 2026 Shopping Trends to Watch 

A few shifts are changing how people shop this year. 

• Deals start earlier: Many retailers now launch Black Friday pricing in early November. What used to be a single day has turned into a month-long stretch some call Black November. 

• Online and in-store shopping blend together: Shoppers check stock online, then pick up in-store, order curbside, or choose same-day delivery. 

• Mobile shopping keeps growing: More shoppers complete Black Friday purchases through retailer apps than in past years. 

• Early access rewards loyalty: Retailers increasingly give email subscribers and store credit card holder’s first access to deals. 

• Buy now, pay later options grow: Installment plans are now available on most checkout pages, making it easy to spend more than you need without a clear budget. 

How to Prepare for Black Friday 2026 

A little planning can go a long way. Here’s how to prepare before the sales starts. 

• Make a list first: Before you start, decide what you really need. This keeps a check on the habit of shopping without thinking. 

• Track prices now: Use a price tracking tool to help you know if a “deal” is really a discount. 

• Sign up for retailer alerts: Many stores send early access links to their email list weeks ahead. 

• Set a budget: During holidays, your expenses can increase significantly. A number in mind helps you stay on track. 

• Compare Black Friday and Cyber Monday prices: Some categories drop lower on one day than the other. 

• Check return policies before you buy: Holiday return windows often stretch longer, but not always. 

How Retailers Actually Price Black Friday Deals 

Not every “discount” is a real discount. Understanding pricing tricks helps you shop smarter. 

Some retailers raise a product’s price weeks before the sale, then cut it back down on Black Friday. The final price looks impressive next to the inflated one, even if it matches what the item cost back in October. This practice is legal in most states, but it’s worth knowing about before you get excited over a big red “50% off” sticker. 

Other retailers run genuine limited-stock doorbusters. These are real discounts, but supply is small on purpose. Stores use them to pull shoppers into stores or onto websites early, hoping people buy other items at full price once they’re there. 

A simple rule protects you from both tricks: track a product’s price for two to three weeks before Black Friday. Browser tools and price-history sites make this easy. If the “sale” price matches what you saw in early November, it’s not really a deal. 

How to Avoid Black Friday Scams 

As spending increases, scammers become more active. Awareness and some habits keep your money and data safe. 

• Always shop on official websites and apps: Instead of clicking on a link in a sudden email or text, type in the retailer’s web address directly. 

• Beware of fake shipping alerts: During the holidays, scammers send fake messages related to delivery. Check the tracking number directly on the carrier’s website. 

• Use credit cards instead of debit cards: Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection if something goes wrong. 

• Beware of very low prices: Discounting a popular item too much and for no apparent reason is a common sign of fraud. 

• Check the website address before you pay: Look for “https” and a lock icon in the address bar. 

Best Categories for Black Friday 2026 Deals 

Some categories consistently offer the deepest discounts. 

• Electronics: TVs, laptops, and headphones usually see the biggest price cuts. Big discount on Apple products like Apple AirPods, Apple Watches and MacBook Air. 

• Home goods: Kitchen appliances and bedding often drop to yearly lows. 

• Toys: Prices drop to their lowest a few weeks before Black Friday and remain low until Cyber Monday. 

• Clothing: Retailers offer huge discounts to take out the fall stock before the winter stock arrives. 

• Fitness gear: Exercise equipment, treadmills and smartwatches see strong markdowns tied to New Year’s resolutions. 

• Web Hosting and online streaming Subscriptions: You can buy hosting at good prices from good companies like Hostinger, Bluehost, A2 Hosting, SiteGround and Cloudways. Apple TV Plus subscription, Netflix subscription and Disney + subscriptions and more are also available at discounted prices. 

Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday: Which Is Better? 

Both days have great deals, but they’re better for different categories. Black Friday is usually ahead in terms of expensive electronics and ‘doorbuster’ items, especially in physical stores. At the same time, Cyber Monday usually beats in terms of software, retailers selling only online goods and tech accessories. 

The safest strategy is simple. Compare prices across both days before you buy. Many deals repeat or even improve between Friday and Monday. 

Bottom Line 

Black Friday 2026 lands on November 27, the day after Thanksgiving. Deals will likely start weeks earlier online, and Cyber Week runs through December 1. Make your list, track prices, and compare both Black Friday and Cyber Monday before you buy. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q: Is Black Friday 2026 a federal holiday?  

A: No, Black Friday is not a federal holiday. Still, some states and many private employers give employees that day off. 

Q: What date is Thanksgiving in 2026?  

A: Thanksgiving 2026 falls on Thursday, November 26. 

Q: When is Cyber Monday 2026?  

A: Cyber Monday 2026 falls on Monday, November 30. 

Q: Do Black Friday deals start on Thanksgiving Day?  

A: Some retailers open on the evening of Thanksgiving. Many others now start online deals a few days or weeks in advance. 

Q: How many days until Black Friday 2026?  

A: The countdown depends on today’s date. Count the days from today to November 27, 2026 to get your answer. 

Q: Is Black Friday 2026 the same date every year? 

A: No, Black Friday always falls on the day after Thanksgiving, so its exact date changes every year. 

Q: Are stores open on Black Friday 2026?  

A: Yes. Most major retailers stay open, though hours vary by store and location. Some chains open earlier than their usual schedule. 

Q: Will Black Friday 2026 deals are available online only, or in stores too? 

A: Both. Most retailers offer deals online and in physical stores. Online deals often start earlier and last longer.