When Does Black Friday Start? Here's What to Know About This Year's Sale
Thanksgiving is just around the corner! If you've been daydreaming about roasted turkey, cranberry mulled wine, and mile-high meringue pie, you're not alone—we've all got those things on our mind this month, too. Well, all of us except Ree Drummond, who claims she's partial to Thanksgiving side dishes. "Sometimes I even forget to put the turkey on my plate," she says.
Still, there's one thing you may not have thought about just yet—something that happens after Turkey Day. And no, we're not talking about chowing down on Thanksgiving leftovers. We're referring to Black Friday, the annual sales event that takes place the day after the holiday! In our opinion, that long-awaited day deserves just as much planning and forethought as your Thanksgiving menu.
Here, we're sharing information on when Black Friday starts alongside relevant retailer hours. Read through to equip yourself with all of the information you'll need to properly take advantage of the big day, then check out our picks for the best Black Friday furniture sales and appliance deals—and get ready to save!
What is Black Friday?
Black Friday is an annual savings event, and it's often considered the official start of the holiday shopping season. As soon as Thanksgiving is over, millions of Americans begin their hunt for the perfect Christmas presents for friends and family—and Black Friday, which takes place the day after Thanksgiving, is their best opportunity to get great deals on tons of gifts, electronics, furniture, and more. Long lines and crowds are always expected, though last year's mid-pandemic event prompted many retailers to offer new digital shopping offerings and curbside pick-up options.
Speaking of digital savings, Black Friday is not to be confused with Cyber Monday, which takes place on the Monday following Thanksgiving. That day is geared instead toward online sales and digital retailers, though you'll notice that deals from Black Friday and Cyber Monday do frequently overlap.
When does Black Friday start in 2021?
Black Friday 2021 will officially take place on Friday, November 26, 2021. Sales typically begin a few days early and last well into the following week, past Cyber Monday, but the in-store deals have traditionally been the most exciting.
What are some major retailers' typical Black Friday hours?
You can expect most big retailers like Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Macy's to offer savings all day long, if not all week long. However, their in-store hours do vary by retailer and location, and since the pandemic began, some retailers have even abandoned their live events entirely in favor of fully digital sales. Others have adopted new safety precautions to guard against the stampede scares of years past. Social distancing, plastic barriers, and mask requirements are now commonplace, and there are plenty of new pickup and delivery options offered, too.
If you're looking for a specific retailer's hours, your best bet is to visit their website and use a store locator to make sure your local shop is, in fact, holding in-store events. For general information about Walmart's Black Friday hours, though, we've got you covered!
