The term is born
Philadelphia police officers coin 'Black Friday' for the chaotic traffic the day after Thanksgiving, when suburban shoppers and tourists flooded downtown.
About
The Story Behind Black Friday
Black Friday Countdown exists to answer one simple question — how many days until Black Friday? Along the way we track the best deals, share the strategy you need to shop smarter, and explain where this shopping holiday came from and how it's celebrated around the world.
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A brief history of Black Friday
From a Philadelphia traffic jam to the biggest shopping day on the calendar — here's how Black Friday became Black Friday.
It goes public
A Philadelphia newspaper ad uses 'Black Friday' to promote sales, helping the nickname spread beyond the police department.
Retailers reclaim it
Stores reframe 'black Friday' as the day their books move 'into the black' — turning a profit — and lean into it as the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season.
Cyber Monday arrives
The National Retail Federation coins 'Cyber Monday' for the surge of online shopping the Monday after Thanksgiving, giving online retailers their own flagship day.
The week-long event
Black Friday stretches into Thanksgiving evening and a full week of deals, blending in-store doorbusters with online sales that begin days early.
Black Friday, Nov 27
Black Friday 2026 falls on November 27 — the day after Thanksgiving — with Cyber Monday following on November 30.
How we curate deals
We don't just list every markdown we see. Here's what goes into every deal on Black Friday Countdown.
We track the right categories
From electronics, laptops, and gaming to home, kitchen, beauty, fitness, smart home, toys, tools, software, movies, clothing, health, phones, and books — we cover the categories that move on Black Friday.
We verify the discount
Every deal lists a price range so you see the realistic low-to-high across retailers, not a single inflated 'was' price. We flag genuine markdowns, not fake reference prices.
We link to the real listing
Each deal links directly to the retailer's product page through our affiliate links. We earn a small commission when you buy, at no extra cost to you — it keeps the countdown free.
We update daily
Our news feed pulls from dozens of sources and refreshes every day, so the deals and stories you see reflect what's actually happening this season.
Black Friday around the world
What started in the United States is now a global late-November shopping event. Here's how it shows up in different regions.
United States
Day after Thanksgiving
The original Black Friday — a national shopping event with doorbusters, in-store queues, and online sales.
United Kingdom
Late November
Adopted in the 2010s, now one of the UK's biggest online shopping days, led by Amazon and major high-street retailers.
Canada
Day after Thanksgiving (US)
Canadian retailers run parallel sales to keep cross-border shoppers at home, despite Canada's own Thanksgiving in October.
Australia & New Zealand
Late November
Imported by global retailers; growing fast as an online-first event down under.
Germany
Late November
'Black Friday' (and Cyber Week) is now a major retail moment across German online and big-box stores.
Rest of the world
Late November
From Brazil to India to South Africa, the late-November sale week has become a global online shopping phenomenon.
Smart Black Friday shopping tips
- ›Make a list before the sale starts — know what you actually need so you don't get swept up in the noise.
- ›Compare prices across retailers; a 'doorbuster' isn't always the cheapest once shipping and tax are included.
- ›Watch price history, not just the 'was' price. A genuine deal is a real drop from a recent low.
- ›Prioritize big-ticket items — TVs, laptops, and appliances see the steepest Black Friday cuts.
- ›Don't ignore Cyber Monday. Software, smart home, and online-only categories often drop further on Monday.
- ›Check return windows and warranties before you buy — a deal you can't return isn't a deal.
Frequently asked questions
What is Black Friday?
Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving in the United States — widely considered the start of the Christmas shopping season and the biggest shopping day of the year.
When is Black Friday?
Black Friday 1970 falls on Friday, November 27, 1970. It is always the fourth Friday of November, the day after Thanksgiving.
Why is it called Black Friday?
The term originated in Philadelphia in the 1960s to describe the chaotic traffic the day after Thanksgiving. Retailers later reclaimed it to mean the day their books move 'into the black' — turning a profit.
Is Black Friday the best day for deals?
For big-ticket in-store doorbusters like TVs and laptops, yes. For online-only deals, Cyber Monday (the Monday after) often matches or beats Black Friday prices.
When is Cyber Monday 2026?
Cyber Monday 2026 falls on Monday, November 30, 2026 — three days after Black Friday. It's the biggest online shopping day of the year.
Are Black Friday deals really cheaper?
Many are, especially on electronics and appliances — but not every 'deal' is genuine. We list a price range so you can see the realistic low-to-high across retailers and spot real markdowns.
How does Black Friday Countdown make money?
Through affiliate links. When you buy a product through one of our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It keeps the countdown and guides free.
Ready to shop?
Browse our curated deals, catch the Cyber Monday countdown, or dive into the shopping guides — all updated through the season.