When is Black Friday 2026? Dates, sales and when they end
Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping events of the year, but when does it actually start and end? Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 dates, extended sales and Cyber Monday.
Black Friday 2026 takes place on Friday, 27 November, but you don't have to wait until then to bag a bargain. Several major retailers have already launched early Black Friday promotions – yes, really – with discounts available now across fashion, beauty, health, homeware and more.
As a consumer journalist with 20 years' experience, I've been covering Black Friday for more than a decade, tracking the deals, comparing prices and generally separating genuinely good deals from discounts that aren't quite as impressive as they first appear. Throughout the sale season, I'll be sharing retailers I think are worth watching, as well as advice on how to shop smarter and avoid the pitfalls of shopping online at this time of year.
Black Friday itself officially ends at 11.59pm on Friday, 27 November, but many retailers are expected to extend their promotions across the weekend and into Cyber Monday on Monday, 30 November.
Whether you're hoping to get ahead with your Christmas shopping – heaven knows Christmas gifts for teens can take some serious planning – upgrade your technology or find a bargain on fashion, beauty and homeware, here's everything you need to know about when Black Friday falls, how long the sales last and when to shop before the deals disappear.
Black Friday sales already live
You don't have to wait until 27 November to start shopping the Black Friday sales. A number of major retailers have already launched early promotions, with discounts across fashion, beauty, homeware and technology. These are the sales worth checking out now:
- Anthropologie: Save up to 30% on clothing, accessories and shoes.
- Argos: Get ahead with the early Black Friday sale, now live
- Boden: Enjoy 15% off everything from Friday to Saturday
- Marks and Spencer: Get 20% off cosy home, knitwear and more
- Oliver Bonas: Shop the end of season sale across fashion, homeware & gifts
- Sephora: Shop limited-time offers now or join the Black Friday waitlist
- The White Company: Save on clothing, fragrance, bed linen and more
- Very: Get 10% off selected toys in time for Christmas
- White Stuff: Enjoy up to 50% on menswear and womenswear
Black Friday offers can change quickly, and some promotions may end or sell out before the main event. I'll be updating our retailer coverage as more 2026 deals are announced.
When is Black Friday 2026?
Black Friday 2026 takes place on Friday, 27 November.
The date changes every year, but Black Friday always falls on the Friday immediately after Thanksgiving in the United States. Thanksgiving takes place on the fourth Thursday of November, meaning Black Friday falls on the following Friday.
Although Black Friday itself lasts for just one day, many retailers now run extended promotions in the weeks leading up to the event, giving shoppers more opportunities to find discounts before Christmas.
Here are the dates for upcoming Black Friday events:
- Black Friday 2026: Friday, 27 November
- Black Friday 2027: Friday, 26 November
- Black Friday 2028: Friday, 24 November
When does Black Friday end?
Black Friday 2026 officially ends at 11.59pm on Friday, 27 November. However, many retailers continue their promotions throughout the weekend and into Cyber Monday on 30 November.
Black Friday has evolved from a single day of shopping into a much longer sales event. Some retailers begin offering discounts in early November, while others extend their promotions into the first week of December.
This means you don't necessarily need to make all your purchases on Black Friday itself. However, popular products and particularly attractive offers can sell out quickly, so it's worth keeping an eye on prices throughout the sales period.
How long does Black Friday last?
Black Friday officially lasts for one day, but Black Friday sales can continue for considerably longer.
Many UK retailers now run extended promotional events, sometimes launching discounts weeks before the official date and continuing their offers throughout Black Friday weekend.
The shopping period typically includes:
- Black Friday – Friday, 27 November: The main event, when retailers promote discounts across fashion, beauty, technology, homeware and more.
- Black Friday weekend – Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November: Many retailers continue their offers, although individual discounts and stock availability can change.
- Cyber Monday – Monday, 30 November: Traditionally associated with online shopping, Cyber Monday brings another opportunity to find discounts, particularly on technology and electrical products.
- Cyber Week – the days following Cyber Monday: Some retailers continue their promotional offers into early December, although there is no universally recognised end date.
If you're hoping to buy a particular product, it's worth researching its usual selling price before the sales begin. This will help you work out whether an advertised discount represents a genuine saving.
When do Black Friday sales end?
There isn't one universal end date for Black Friday sales. While Black Friday itself finishes at 11.59pm on Friday, 27 November, many retailers continue their promotions throughout the weekend and into Cyber Monday.
Some stores finish their offers on Monday, while others extend selected discounts into December as part of Cyber Week.
The best approach is to check individual retailers' sale end dates and terms and conditions. And always keep in mind that popular products can sell out before a promotion officially ends, so don't assume an advertised deal will remain available throughout the weekend.
When is Cyber Monday 2026?
Cyber Monday 2026 takes place on Monday, 30 November.
Cyber Monday falls on the Monday immediately after Black Friday weekend. It originally became associated with online shopping, giving retailers another opportunity to promote discounts after the Thanksgiving weekend.
Today, many retailers treat Black Friday and Cyber Monday as part of one extended shopping event, meaning there isn't always a clear distinction between the two.
Cyber Monday is particularly worth watching if you're shopping for technology, small appliances, laptops and other electrical products. However, discounts vary between retailers, so it's worth comparing prices rather than assuming Cyber Monday automatically offers better savings than Black Friday.
Tips to get the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals
Black Friday can be a good opportunity to save money on Christmas shopping and bigger purchases, but it's worth doing some preparation before the sales begin.
Here are our tips for shopping more strategically.
- Make a wishlist
Decide what you actually want to buy before the sales begin. Having a shortlist makes it easier to spot worthwhile offers and avoid getting distracted by products you don't need. - Set a budget
Work out how much you're comfortable spending before browsing the deals. A tempting discount isn't necessarily a saving if you wouldn't otherwise have bought the product. - Compare prices
Check the usual selling price of products before Black Friday. Comparing prices across different retailers can help you work out whether a promotion represents a genuine saving. - Sign up for retailer newsletters
Some retailers share early access to promotions or exclusive offers with newsletter subscribers. Signing up in advance can help you hear about discounts before the main event. - Shop early for popular products
Stock availability can change quickly during major sales events. If you've found a particularly good price on something you've been planning to buy, consider purchasing it rather than waiting until the final day. - Check returns policies
Before making a purchase, check the retailer's delivery arrangements, returns policy and any exclusions that apply to sale products.
How often is Black Friday?
Black Friday takes place once a year, in November. Its date changes annually because it is tied to Thanksgiving in the United States, which falls on the fourth Thursday of November.
Black Friday always takes place the following day, meaning it falls between 23 and 29 November.
Why is Black Friday called Black Friday?
The term Black Friday is commonly traced back to Philadelphia in the 1950s, when police officers used it to describe the heavy traffic, crowds and disruption caused by the large numbers of people visiting the city after Thanksgiving.
The term was later adopted by retailers, who associated Black Friday with the point in the year when businesses moved from operating at a loss, or being 'in the red', to making a profit, or being 'in the black'.
Today, Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping events of the year, with retailers around the world using the occasion to promote discounts ahead of Christmas.
