This page answers the mechanics of Black Friday: when it happens, when prices actually move, and how the numbers you see are put together. There is nothing to buy on this page.
The dates
Black Friday falls on Friday, November 27, 2026. It is always the day after Thanksgiving, which is the fourth Thursday of November, so the date moves each year.
Cyber Monday follows on Monday, November 30, 2026 — always the Monday after.
The four days between them are usually treated as one continuous sale by most retailers.
When prices actually move
The date on the calendar is no longer when the discounting starts. In recent years the pattern has been consistent:
- Early November: “early Black Friday” pricing begins. For many categories this is already the lowest price of the season.
- Black Friday week: the widest range of products is discounted, and doorbuster stock is at its largest.
- Black Friday itself: the deepest cuts on a small number of loss-leader items, often in limited quantity.
- Cyber Monday: weighted towards online-only categories — software, digital goods, smaller electronics.
The practical consequence is that waiting for the exact day is often a mistake. Stock runs out more frequently than prices fall further.
How Black Friday and Cyber Monday differ
The distinction has largely collapsed. Originally Black Friday was in-store and Cyber Monday was online.
What remains of the difference: Cyber Monday still leans towards digital and small electronics, while Black Friday carries more large appliances, televisions and in-store doorbusters.
How the discount you see is calculated
This is the part most worth understanding.
The struck-through “was” price is a manufacturer list price, not necessarily a price the item recently sold at. In categories where the list price is set high, the advertised percentage can be large while the actual saving is ordinary.
The reliable way to judge any deal is to compare the final price against what the same item sold for in the preceding months, not against the number the retailer prints beside it.
Where Prime Day fits
Amazon’s Prime Day is a separate event held in summer, with a second smaller event in autumn. It is restricted to Prime members.
For many categories the two events reach similar prices. Prime Day tends to favour Amazon’s own devices and household goods; Black Friday covers a much wider range of retailers and categories.
Browse deals by type
Dates and timing
- When Black Friday Starts? — when the sale period actually begins
- How Many Days Until Black Friday? — countdown to the date
- How Many Days Until Cyber Monday? — countdown for Cyber Monday
- When Does Cyber Monday End? — when the Cyber Monday period closes
- When Is Cyber Monday For Amazon? — Amazon’s timing specifically
What the terms mean
- What Is Black Friday Meaning? — where the name comes from and what it covers
- What Is Cyber Monday Deal? — what counts as a Cyber Monday deal
- How Much Cheaper Is Cyber Monday Than Black Friday? — how the two events compare on price
Finding the deals
- Where Are The Black Friday Ads? — where retailer ads are published
- Where to Find the Best Black Friday Deals — how to find worthwhile deals
Prime Day
- How To Find Prime Day Deals? — how Prime Day deals are found
- Is Prime Day Only For Prime Members? — whether membership is required
The case against
- Why Black Friday Is Bad? — the criticisms of Black Friday, fairly stated
Frequently asked questions
What date is Black Friday this year?
Friday, November 27, 2026. It is always the day after Thanksgiving, which is the fourth Thursday of November, so the date changes each year.When is Cyber Monday?
Monday, November 30, 2026 — always the Monday following Black Friday.Do prices drop further on the day itself?
For most categories, no. Early November pricing is frequently the same as the day itself. The deepest cuts on the day apply to a small number of limited-stock items.
Is Cyber Monday cheaper than Black Friday?
Not systematically. Cyber Monday leans towards digital goods and smaller electronics, while Black Friday carries more large appliances and in-store doorbusters. Prices for the same item are usually identical across both.
Why does the same product cost the same at every shop?
In several categories the manufacturer sets a minimum advertised price and issues an instant rebate that all authorised retailers apply at once. The discount comes from the manufacturer, not from competition between shops.
How can I tell whether a discount is real?
Compare the final price against what the item sold for in the preceding months rather than against the struck-through list price beside it. List prices are frequently set high so the percentage looks larger.