Shopping holidays have gotten complicated with all the sales events and marketing noise flying around. It feels like every other week there’s some new “biggest deal of the year” email hitting my inbox. I used to just know about Black Friday and maybe Boxing Day. Now? There’s a shopping holiday for practically every month. So I figured I’d put together a breakdown of the ones that actually matter — the ones where you can genuinely save money if you plan ahead.
Black Friday
The granddaddy of them all. Black Friday falls on the fourth Friday in November, right after Thanksgiving. It marks the unofficial start of the Christmas shopping season, and retailers pull out all the stops — doorbuster deals, early openings, the whole circus. Electronics, apparel, home goods: pretty much everything goes on sale.
- Originated in the United States
- Occurs on the fourth Friday in November
- Known for both in-store and online sales
I’ll be honest, I stopped doing the in-store Black Friday thing years ago. The crowds were just not worth it for me. But the shift to online shopping has made it way more manageable. A lot of retailers start leaking deals in early November now, so the single-day frenzy has kind of spread out into a multi-week event. Not necessarily a bad thing.
Cyber Monday
Cyber Monday kicks off the Monday after Thanksgiving. It started back in 2005 as the online counterpart to Black Friday’s in-store madness. The focus is heavy on electronics and tech, though you’ll find clothing and accessories discounted too.
- First observed in 2005
- Heavy focus on electronics and tech
- Online exclusive deals
The beauty of Cyber Monday is you can shop from your couch. No parking lots, no lines. Many retailers extend their Black Friday prices through the weekend and into Monday, so sometimes the distinction between the two days barely exists anymore. It’s gone international too — retailers outside the U.S. have jumped on the bandwagon with global shipping options.
Singles’ Day
This one caught me off guard the first time I heard about it. Singles’ Day is November 11th — 11/11, get it? It started in China as a celebration for single people, and Alibaba turned it into a shopping event in 2009. It’s now the largest online shopping event in the world. Bigger than Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined, if you can believe that.
- Originated in China
- Observed on November 11
- Includes millions of products across every category
Flash sales and live-streamed promotions are a big part of the experience. More international brands join every year, so it’s becoming increasingly relevant even if you’re not shopping on Chinese platforms. That’s what makes Singles’ Day endearing to deal hunters worldwide — the sheer scale of it is unmatched.
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is December 26th, the day after Christmas. It originated in the United Kingdom and is celebrated across Commonwealth nations. Originally it was about giving gifts to service workers, but today it’s mainly known as a post-Christmas shopping event.
- Observed in Commonwealth nations
- Falls on December 26
- In-store and online deals
Lots of people use Boxing Day to grab stuff they didn’t get as presents. Or, let’s be real, to exchange the stuff they did get. Retailers use it to clear out holiday inventory, so the discounts can be pretty solid.
Amazon Prime Day
Prime Day launched in 2015 for Amazon’s 20th anniversary, and it’s become a mid-year Black Friday of sorts. The catch: you need a Prime membership. Deals span electronics, household items, entertainment, and basically everything Amazon sells or hosts.
- Exclusive to Amazon Prime members
- Held annually in July
- Features lightning deals with countdown timers
Probably should have led with this — Prime Day has gotten so big that other retailers now run competing sales at the same time. Target, Walmart, Best Buy — they all try to steal some thunder. So even if you’re not a Prime member, you can still benefit from the general price-lowering effect it has across the market.
Small Business Saturday
This one’s on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. American Express started it in 2010 to encourage people to shop at local, independent businesses. It’s a nice contrast to the big-box store chaos of Black Friday.
- Celebrated on the Saturday after Thanksgiving
- Focuses on local businesses
- Supported by community efforts and local advocacy groups
I make a point to participate in this one every year. There’s a bookshop near me that does special events, and a bakery that puts out limited-run holiday flavors. The deals might not be as flashy as Black Friday, but you’re putting money directly into your community. That counts for something.
Green Monday
eBay coined the term “Green Monday” back in 2007. It falls on the second Monday in December and it’s basically the last big push for online holiday shopping before shipping deadlines start closing in.
- Occurs on the second Monday in December
- Significant sales event close to Christmas
- Deals on a wide range of products
If you’re a procrastinator (guilty), Green Monday is your friend. Retailers know you’re running out of time, and they use that urgency to push deals. You can still find good prices — comparable to Cyber Monday in a lot of cases.
Free Shipping Day
Usually landing around December 14th, Free Shipping Day is exactly what it sounds like. Retailers offer free delivery with a guarantee that your order arrives by Christmas Eve. It started in 2008 and has become a go-to for last-minute shoppers.
- Initiated in 2008
- Usually falls on December 14
- Focuses on free delivery promotions
The no-shipping-cost angle is genuinely useful, especially for heavier items where delivery fees can add up fast. A bunch of retailers participate, so it’s worth checking if your favorite stores are in on it.
Tax-Free Weekends
These vary by state but usually pop up in August, right in time for back-to-school shopping. During a tax-free weekend, you can buy certain items — clothing, school supplies, electronics — without paying state sales tax.
- Vary by state
- Usually in August
- Excludes sales tax on specific items
The savings might seem small on individual items, but if you’re buying for a whole family, it adds up. States typically publicize the dates and eligible items in advance, so plan accordingly.
Back-to-School Sales
Running from roughly July through September, back-to-school sales target students, parents, and teachers. Retailers push discounts on supplies, clothing, laptops, and everything else you need for the academic year.
- Annual event during late summer
- Key categories include apparel and supplies
- Retailers and e-commerce sites both participate
I still shop these sales even though I’ve been out of school for a while. Office supplies are office supplies, and a deal on notebooks is a deal on notebooks. Buy-one-get-one and bulk discounts are common.
Summer Sales
Broadly speaking, summer sales run from June through August. They focus on seasonal stuff — patio furniture, grills, outdoor gear, summer clothing. Some retailers also offer travel deals and vacation packages during this window.
- Seasonal event during June to August
- Includes outdoor and travel products
- Both online and in-store deals
Retailers are trying to clear out inventory to make room for fall merchandise, so this is a solid time to grab outdoor gear at a discount. I got a really nice grill two summers ago for about 40% off. Worth the wait.
Winter Sales
Winter sales start right after Christmas and roll into January. It’s clearance season — winter apparel, holiday decorations, and seasonal goods all get marked down as stores try to start the new year with fresh inventory.
- Starts after Christmas
- Includes clearance and seasonal products
- Online and physical stores participate
Pro tip: buy your holiday decorations right after the holidays. I’ve been doing this for years and my Christmas setup looks way more expensive than it actually was.
Labor Day Sales
Labor Day sales happen around the first Monday in September. The big categories are home appliances, furniture, and mattresses. It marks the transition from summer to fall, and retailers use it to swap out seasonal inventory.
- Coincides with Labor Day holiday in September
- Focus on home goods and seasonal items
- Both large retailers and smaller stores participate
If you’ve been eyeing a new mattress or couch, Labor Day is often the best time to pull the trigger. The discounts on big-ticket home items are legitimately good.
Presidents’ Day Sales
February brings Presidents’ Day sales, with a focus on home goods, electronics, and automotive deals. The long weekend makes it convenient for shopping, and retailers know it.
- Observed in February
- Major focus on furniture and electronics
- Participation by numerous sectors
Similar to Labor Day, this is a strong time for furniture and appliance deals. I’ve noticed car dealerships get in on the action too, with President’s Day promotions running all month.
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Sales
Sales for Mom kick off in late April for May, and Dad’s deals start rolling in May for June. Retailers push gift-oriented products — jewelry, gadgets, apparel, experience packages.
- Mother’s Day in May and Father’s Day in June
- Focus on gift-oriented products
- Special promotions and bundles
These sales are straightforward: if you’re buying a gift, wait for the promotions. Bundles are common and usually a better deal than buying items separately.
Valentine’s Day Sales
Starting in late January, Valentine’s Day promotions cover the expected territory — chocolates, flowers, jewelry, and experience gifts. Both major retailers and small businesses get in on it.
- Observed on February 14
- Gift-focused promotions
- Both small businesses and major retailers participate
Honestly, the best Valentine’s deals I’ve found tend to be from smaller, independent shops. Big retailers mark things up before “discounting” them, so do your price research first.
Easter Sales
Easter sales start in early March and run through the holiday weekend. Think seasonal merchandise, spring apparel, and candy. Lots and lots of candy.
- Observed during the Easter holiday
- Includes seasonal and holiday items
- Widespread participation by retailers
Same as Christmas — buy your Easter stuff right after Easter for next year. Discounts on candy alone make it worth a trip to the store the day after.
Memorial Day Sales
Memorial Day weekend in late May is the unofficial start of summer, and retailers treat it like a launch event. Outdoor gear, home improvement items, summer apparel, and even cars and travel packages go on sale.
- Observed on Memorial Day weekend in May
- Focus on summer products and outdoor items
- Participation by diverse retailers
This is when I usually stock up on things like sunscreen and outdoor stuff. The prices tend to creep back up once summer is in full swing.
4th of July Sales
Independence Day sales run from late June through the holiday weekend. Patriotic merch, outdoor gear, summer essentials, grills — basically everything you need for a backyard celebration.
- Observed around July 4
- Focus on festive and summer items
- Retailers from various sectors participate
These deals are solid but not life-changing. Think of it as mid-summer pricing rather than deep discounts. Still worth checking if you need anything specific for the holiday.
