Black Friday 2026 falls on Friday, November 27, but major U.S. retailers are starting holiday promotions earlier. Best Buy has announced deals beginning October 30, while Walmart has scheduled an early Black Friday event for November 12–15. Both retailers have outlined additional sale dates through Cyber Monday on November 30 and early December, giving shoppers more time to compare electronics offers before the main shopping weekend.
Best Buy’s 2026 holiday shopping calendar starts with DoorBOOsters deals on October 30. Early Black Friday Deals and Doorbusters begin November 6, with new offers scheduled every Friday. Its 10-day Black Friday event begins November 19, followed by Cyber Sunday and Monday promotions and Cyber Week Deals from December 1–6. Best Buy also says most purchases made from October 30 through December 31 can be returned until January 15, 2027, or January 31 for eligible My Best Buy Plus and Total members, subject to its return policy.
Walmart’s official Black Friday 2026 schedule lists three events: Early Black Friday Deals from November 12–15, Black Friday Deals from November 23–29, and Cyber Monday from November 30–December 2. The main Black Friday event begins online on November 23 at 12:01 a.m. ET, while in-store shopping starts on November 27 at 6 a.m. local time. Walmart+ members get early access to selected Deal drops on November 12 and November 23, with remaining items in those drops scheduled to become available to other customers the following day.
Although retailers have confirmed their sales calendars, they have not published every Black Friday 2026 product price. Best Buy has highlighted gaming, computing, and home-theater categories for the holiday season, while shoppers may also look for discounts on smartphones, tablets, TVs, and accessories. Buyers should compare exact model numbers, specifications, and previous prices as individual offers appear, rather than assuming that every popular device will be discounted. Readers considering a smartphone deal can also check our unlocked phone buying guide for information about network compatibility, software updates, and warranties.
Best Buy’s holiday announcement also highlights newer devices such as smart glasses and AI-focused computers, making AI hardware one possible area of buyer interest. However, an AI label does not guarantee better performance or value. Shoppers should check whether the features they need run on the device, depend on cloud services, or require specific software. They should also compare memory, battery life, and overall performance before purchasing. Readers deciding between an AI-powered computer and a standard model can review our AI PC vs regular laptop comparison to understand when a dedicated NPU is useful.
Online shopping will also play a major role in the event. Retailers are preparing digital promotions through websites and mobile apps, allowing customers to compare products, monitor prices, and place orders without visiting physical stores. Some deals may have limited quantities or short availability periods. Shoppers should also pay attention to delivery charges, return policies, warranty coverage, and membership requirements before completing a purchase.
Large online sales also attract fake storefronts, impersonation ads, and phishing messages. Shoppers should open a retailer’s official website or app directly instead of following an unexpected payment link, and verify the website address before entering card details. A secure-looking HTTPS address alone does not prove a store is legitimate; our guide to browser security warnings explains what connection warnings mean and what they cannot guarantee. Customers should use strong account security and question unusually cheap offers.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s online shopping guidance recommends comparing products and their total cost, including shipping and other fees, before buying. For technology deals, shoppers should compare the exact model number and recent selling prices instead of relying on a large percentage-off label. They should also check storage, memory, battery life, software update support, warranty terms, and whether the device is new, refurbished, or an older generation.
The confirmed schedules show that Black Friday 2026 shopping will begin weeks before November 27. Best Buy starts its first holiday offers on October 30, while Walmart begins its early Black Friday event on November 12. Specific tech deals and stock levels will change as the season progresses, so shoppers should check the latest retailer listings and deal terms before buying.
