Black Friday 2025
Black Friday 2025 takes place on Friday, November 28, 2025 - the day after Thanksgiving and the traditional start of the U.S. holiday shopping season.
Once an in-store-only event, Black Friday has become a multi-week sales period with deals running across e-commerce, brick-and-mortar retail, and travel.
About Black Friday
Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving in the United States and is widely considered the busiest shopping day of the year. Major retailers offer steep discounts on electronics, appliances, toys, clothing, and home goods, with sales now extending well before and after the day itself.
How Black Friday Got Its Name
The earliest documented use of 'Black Friday' for the day after Thanksgiving comes from 1960s Philadelphia, where police used the term to describe the heavy traffic and pedestrian congestion downtown ahead of the Army-Navy football game.
By the 1980s, retailers had reframed the term to refer to going 'into the black' - that is, becoming profitable - as holiday shopping pushed annual revenue past expenses for the year.
Smart Black Friday Shopping Tips
- Compare prices across retailers - many advertised deals match or are beaten by Cyber Monday
- Check return policies before buying, especially for electronics
- Set a budget and a list before the sales begin to avoid impulse purchases
- Use price-tracking tools or browser extensions to verify discounts are real
- Watch for early-access deals, which often start on Thanksgiving evening or earlier in November
Key Holiday Shopping Dates 2025
- Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 27, 2025
- Black Friday: Friday, November 28, 2025
- Small Business Saturday: Saturday, November 29, 2025
- Cyber Monday: Monday, December 1, 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Black Friday 2025?
Black Friday 2025 is on Friday, November 28, 2025.
Is Black Friday a federal holiday?
No. Black Friday is not a federal holiday, although many private employers and some state governments give workers the day off.
What is Cyber Monday 2025?
Cyber Monday 2025 falls on Monday, December 1, 2025 - the Monday after Thanksgiving.
When do Black Friday deals start?
Many retailers begin Black Friday-style promotions in early November, with the strongest deals typically running from Thanksgiving evening through the following Monday.