Dates that follow the calendar

These events are tied to a holiday, so the dates are known in advance. Retailers choose when their own sales start and end, so check each store.

  • Thursday, November 26, 2026: Thanksgiving. Some stores start online sales that evening.
  • Friday, November 27, 2026: Black Friday. Often a low point for TVs, headphones and small appliances. Check the model, since some are made for the event.
  • Monday, November 30, 2026: Cyber Monday. Online-focused. Many sales overlap the whole weekend.
  • Monday, December 14, 2026: Green Monday. Second Monday in December. A name used by some retailers, with offers that vary.
  • Friday, December 25, 2026: Christmas Day. Stores usually begin after-Christmas markdowns on seasonal items in the following days.
  • Monday, February 15, 2027: Presidents Day. Third Monday in February. Mattresses, appliances and furniture are often promoted around it.
  • Monday, May 31, 2027: Memorial Day. Last Monday in May. Outdoor items, grills and mattresses are common promotions.
  • Monday, September 6, 2027: Labor Day. First Monday in September. Appliances and back-to-school items are common promotions.
  • Friday, November 26, 2027: Black Friday 2027. The day after Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 25, 2027.

Events without a fixed date

Retailers set these themselves, so we give typical timing only. When a date is announced, the store's own page is the source.

  • Amazon Prime Day: Typically in July. Amazon announces the dates each year.
  • Early fall member sales at large retailers: Typically in October. Dates vary by store.
  • Back-to-school sales: Typically from July through early September.
  • Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Father's Day promotions: In the weeks before each holiday, which fall in February, May and June.
  • Post-holiday clearance: Typically in the first days after a holiday, for seasonal items.

When each category tends to be worth buying

These are patterns, not promises. Prices depend on the store and the model, which is why we suggest checking the price history where it is available.

  • TVs, laptops and vacuums: late November is a common time for promotions, and models are often replaced in spring or fall. See the guides on the best time to buy.
  • Seasonal items: costumes, decorations and gift wrap are usually marked down in the days after the holiday. See Halloween and Christmas.
  • Everyday essentials: compare the price per ounce, per sheet or per load, since the best deal is often a larger pack at a normal price rather than a sale. See household essentials.
  • Eco and gentle products: these are usually bought on a schedule, so a store's subscription or bundle price is worth comparing against the regular unit price. Start from our Eco Essentials and Gentle Essentials guides.
  • Gifts: buy items that sell out, such as popular toys, early, and wait for the November sales for items that are marked down most then. See the Black Friday guide.

How to check a deal

  1. Find the usual price over the past few months, not the crossed-out list price.
  2. Check the model number against the regular version.
  3. For everyday items, compare the price per unit.
  4. Add shipping and check the return policy.