Black Friday, the biggest shopping day in New York
The day after Thanksgiving, on the 4th Thursday of November, comes Black Friday, the "black Friday". It's the ultimate sales event with incredible discounts!
When is Black Friday in 2026?
- If you want to score deals in New York, don’t miss Black Friday—a massive sale day that falls the day after Thanksgiving. Black Friday in 2026 is November 27.
- This “black Friday” brings incredible discounts, sometimes up to 75% off in certain stores. You won’t see prices like this any other time of year.
- This major shopping event started in 1952 and now kicks off the winter season and Christmas shopping in New York.
How to make the most of Black Friday sales
- Black Friday sales work on a simple principle: first come, first served. If you want the best deals, you need to get there early.
- You’ll need to arrive even earlier because many stores open before their regular hours on Black Friday. Target opens at 6 am, Bloomingdale’s at 7 am, and Brookfield Place mall (inside the World Financial Center) at 8 am. You won’t be alone—some dedicated shoppers even camp outside their target store the night before. Macy’s takes it further: the store stays open all night from Wednesday into Thursday.
- If you plan to shop, go in with a strategy. Research the stores you want to visit ahead of time and check their opening hours so you’re ready when they unlock the doors. Then head straight to the sections and items you’re after—no wandering. To prepare, check out my picks for the best shops in New York in the Shopping in New York section.
- Keep in mind that it’s not just department stores and big brands offering Black Friday deals. Small boutiques also clear their collections with impressive markdowns. That’s why planning ahead pays off.
- Over the years, Black Friday has expanded across the entire Thanksgiving weekend. You can find sales all weekend long—though stock may be picked over by the time Saturday rolls around.
Follow up with Cyber Monday
- Since 2005, Black Friday has had an online counterpart: Cyber Monday, a sale day for online purchases only. It falls on the fourth Monday of November, right after Thanksgiving and Black Friday. If Black Friday falls in the last week of November, Cyber Monday shifts to the first Monday of December.
- In 2026, Cyber Monday is November 30, and deep discounts are expected. In 2023, Cyber Monday generated nearly $12.4 billion in US online sales, according to industry data. Time to start shopping online.