Black Friday 2026: Dates and shopping guide
Black Friday 2026 will take place on Friday 27 November, followed by Cyber Monday on Monday 30 November. What started as a US shopping tradition has grown into a major global sales event, with retailers offering promotions on electronics, fashion, beauty products, home appliances, automotive items, toys and much more.
When is Black Friday 2026?
The key dates for the 2026 Black Friday shopping season are:
Black Friday: Friday 27 November 2026
Black Friday weekend: 27–29 November 2026
Cyber Monday: Monday, 30 November 2026
In the UK, shoppers should not assume that 27 November is the only day on which to find Black Friday deals. Many retailers launch promotions in the weeks leading up to Black Friday, and some major retailers may start their campaigns as early as October.
What to Expect on Black Friday
Black Friday discounts cover a wide range of shopping categories. Popular categories include:
Electronics: TVs, laptops, smartphones, headphones, gaming consoles and smart home devices
Home and kitchen: coffee machines, air fryers, vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and furniture
Fashion: clothing, footwear, sportswear, handbags and accessories
Beauty: Skincare products, cosmetics, fragrances, and personal care products
Automotive: Car parts, tyres, tools, dash cams and car accessories
Toys and gifts: toys, games, children's products and Christmas gifts
How to find the best Black Friday deals
1. Start shopping research early.
Create a shopping list before Black Friday and record the usual price of each product. This will make it easier to identify genuine discounts when the sales start.
2. Check price history:
A large advertised discount does not necessarily mean that a product is at its lowest price. Compare the Black Friday price with the product's recent price history before making a purchase. UK price comparison services recommend checking historical prices, as some promotional 'was' prices may not represent the product's typical selling price.
3. Compare multiple retailers.
Compare the price of the same product across several retailers and marketplaces. Compare the final price, taking into account delivery charges, coupons, membership discounts, cashback and other promotional benefits.
4. Set price alerts.
Price alerts can help shoppers keep an eye on products before and during Black Friday, so they don't have to check prices manually every day.
5. Don't buy just because it says 'Black Friday'.
Not every Black Friday promotion represents a genuine bargain. Independent UK consumer research has found that some products promoted during Black Friday have been available at the same or lower prices at other times of the year. Therefore, checking the product's price history and reviews is more useful than focusing only on the advertised discount percentage.
Black Friday 2026 shopping strategy
A simple approach is to divide your shopping into three stages:
Before November: research products, compare models, read reviews and establish target prices.
Black Friday week: monitor promotions from major retailers and compare prices across different websites.
27–30 November: Buy when the actual price reaches your target price, rather than assuming that every Black Friday offer is the best deal.
Therefore, Black Friday 2026 should be viewed as a shopping season rather than a single day. Planning ahead, checking price history, comparing retailers and avoiding impulse purchases can help shoppers to find genuine discounts and make more informed buying decisions.