When Do Black Friday Sales Start

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:20:41 +0000

**When Do Black Friday Sales Start? Understanding the Timing Behind America’s Biggest Shopping Event** Curious about when the crowds, deals, and excitement kick off? The answer to when do Black Friday Sales Start varies slightly each year, but consistent patterns reflect shifting consumer habits, economic signals, and retail strategy. Right now, heightened attention surrounds this question as early planning surges—driven by inflation concerns, supply chain shifts, and evolving digital shopping behaviors. The official start of Black Friday sales is generally defined as the Friday immediately following Thanksgiving—November 28, 2024, in 2024—though some retailers extend promotions into the weekend or early December. This date marks the official beginning of the holiday shopping rush, when stores begin offering deep discounts after the Thanksgiving feast, creating a kickoff point many consumers use as a planning benchmark. Why is this timing drawing so much attention? Economic factors play a big role. As year-end spending balances with tax season feedback, consumers and retailers alike track when discounts begin as a key indicator of holiday shopping momentum. For many, the Black Friday window symbolizes both relief from post-holiday financial strain and a chance to build savings before year-end budget constraints tighten.