When is Black Friday and when does it end?

Once again it's that time of year when retailers slash their prices ahead of Christmas but when is Black Friday and exactly how long have you got to take advantage of discounted prices before the deals vanish in a puff of smoke?

This year, Black Friday 2024 officially takes place on November 29 but many retailers already have the deals events well underway. Amazon, for example, launched Black Friday Week on 21 November and is keeping the fun going until 2 December. With so many deals already available and Black Friday evolving into a month-long event, now is an excellent time to start your Christmas shopping.

However, with sale dates and prices varying so much between retailers, it's hard to tell how long you have to shop before Black Friday deals expire and prices return to normal. Plus you could be forgiven for wondering about the advantages of shopping on Black Friday vs Cyber Monday, as deals can differ significantly between the two events

To help you make sense of things, here’s everything you need to know about when Black Friday starts and ends, and how to make the most of this year's best Black Friday deals before they're gone for another year.

When is Black Friday?

If you’re wondering, 'When is Black Friday?' you’re not alone. The date changes every year because Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States.

This year, Black Friday is 29 November. But many shoppers in the UK are confused about the date, and even more so this year because so many retailers launched their Black Friday sales early, extending the deals event from a traditional one-day event to a weeks-long sale.

Our pick of the best Black Friday sales

• Amazon: Prices slashed from 21st November to 2nd December
• Anthropologie: Up to 50% off in the sale - live now
• Marks and Spencer: No official Black Friday sale but plenty of bargains
• Very: Black Friday deals live now
• Sephora: Kicking off with up to 25% off make-up, skincare and fragrance
• Argos: Their biggest-ever Black Friday sale is now on

What is Black Friday?

Black Friday is an annual sales event that takes place in November each year, but it's only in recent years that it's grown in popularity in the UK. Before that, it was primarily a US-focused sale event, taking place the day after Thanksgiving.

Some retailers don't participate in Black Friday, but many do, including Amazon, Anthropologie, Nordstrom, Very, LookFantastic, Nars, Selfridges and Trinny London.

How long does Black Friday last?

Black Friday was originally a one-day event but in recent years sale events have been running for longer, with the exact duration varying by retailer. Generally, deals are available for at least four days, beginning on Black Friday, continuing through the weekend, and ending on Cyber Monday.

Increasingly, retailers are extending their sale periods and introducing discounts in advance of Black Friday. Some begin their promotions just a couple of days before, but more and more retailers are now offering Black Friday deals weeks in advance of the official date.

When does Black Friday end?

While Black Friday officially ends at 11:59 PM on November 29, many retailers will be continuing their Black Friday sales throughout the weekend and into Cyber Monday, which falls on December 2 this year. You can expect to see prices slashed on a variety of products until 11:59 PM on December 2, depending on the retailer.

Retailers used to offer their biggest discounts on Black Friday itself, but many now start rolling out price cuts much earlier, often beginning in early November. Some retailers even refer to the entire month as Black November, providing 30 days of deals and discounts.

How often is Black Friday?

Black Friday occurs once a year in November. In addition to Black Friday, many retailers host a significant summer sale as well as one in January. You'll often find end-of-season clearance items available on retailers' websites throughout the year, too.

For Amazon enthusiasts with a Prime membership, deals and discounts are available all year long, with significant price reductions during special Prime Day sales events. Amazon Prime Day sales typically take place over a couple of days in July and October.

Why is it called Black Friday?

There are several reasons why Black Friday is so-called. However, the very first day to be referred to as Black Friday was Friday 24th September 1869, when two financiers, Jim Fisk and Jay Gould, cheated Wall Street prompting the US gold market to crash.

The modern use of Black Friday to describe the day after Thanksgiving originated in the 1950s in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On this day, huge numbers of shoppers and football fans would descend upon the city, creating heavy traffic. Law enforcement officers, who were thus forced to work longer hours, referred to this chaotic day as Black Friday.

By the late 1980s, retailers had also begun using the term to describe a shift in their financial status from the red (indicating losses) to the black (indicating profits) during this period of peak shopping activity.

What is Cyber Monday and when is it?

Cyber Monday is the Monday following Black Friday and typically marks the final official day of Black Friday sales. This year, Cyber Monday is on December 2.

Historically, Black Friday deals were largely in-store discounts, with retailers then slashing prices for online shoppers on Monday, earning it the name Cyber Monday. But that distinction no longer applies since most retailers offer online shopping as standard, yet the name has stuck.

What is Cyber Monday for?

In the past, Cyber Monday was the day when retailers offered exclusive discounts for online shoppers following in-store price cuts on Black Friday. However, more recently the distinction between Black Friday and Cyber Monday has blurred. Today, the term Cyber Monday is still used by many retailers but generally signifies a final day of last-chance discounts rather than online-exclusive deals.