Black Friday is the traditional start of the holiday shopping season, with some of the biggest discounts of the year in stores and online. This live countdown shows exactly how many days are left until Black Friday, so you can plan your shopping list and budget in advance.
Black Friday at a glance
- Next date
- Friday, November 27, 2026
- Day of the week
- Friday
- How the date is set
- Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving, the fourth Friday of November
- Category
- Shopping
Black Friday dates for the next 5 years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday | |
| 2027 | Friday | |
| 2028 | Friday | |
| 2029 | Friday | |
| 2030 | Friday |
Where the name comes from
The term "Black Friday" was popularized by police in Philadelphia in the 1950s and 1960s, who used it to describe the crowds and traffic jams that filled the city the day after Thanksgiving.
Retailers later promoted a more positive explanation: the holiday rush was the point in the year when stores went from being "in the red" (losing money) to "in the black" (turning a profit).
Black Friday today
Black Friday used to mean lines outside stores before dawn. Today, many retailers start their deals days or even weeks early and run most of them online. The weekend continues with Small Business Saturday and ends with Cyber Monday.
Tips for shopping smart
Make a list and set a budget before the sales start. Track prices on the items you want for a few weeks so you can tell a real deal from a marked-up "discount," and check return policies before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
When is Black Friday 2026?
Black Friday 2026 is on Friday, November 27, 2026. Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving, the fourth Friday of November.
How many days until Black Friday?
The live countdown at the top of this page shows exactly how many days, hours, minutes, and seconds are left until Black Friday, calculated for your local time zone.
Is Black Friday always the day after Thanksgiving?
Yes. Black Friday is always the Friday after Thanksgiving, which makes it the fourth Friday of November, between November 23 and November 29.
Is Black Friday a holiday?
Black Friday is not a federal holiday, but many companies and some state governments give employees the day off after Thanksgiving.