Black Friday 2025 (November 28): History, Deals & Traditions

\n

The day after Thanksgiving in the United States has become a global shopping phenomenon. Black Friday 2025 lands on Friday, November 28, ushering in massive sales, doorbusters, and online promotions that officially kick off the holiday shopping season. Whether you love the thrill of in-store finds or prefer clicking through online bargains, this is the day retailers compete for your attention—and your list.

\n\n

What Is Black Friday 2025?

\n

Black Friday 2025 is the annual retail event held on the Friday after U.S. Thanksgiving. While not a formal public holiday, many workplaces close or offer flexible hours, and millions of shoppers seize the chance to grab early gifts. Retailers respond with highly promoted discounts, limited-time “doorbusters,” and extended hours, while e-commerce platforms launch site-wide sales, free shipping offers, and flash deals.

\n

Beyond the frenzy, the day has evolved into a broader shopping weekend that often stretches into Cyber Monday (focused on online deals) and Giving Tuesday (a charitable counterpoint), making it a cornerstone of holiday shopping, retail, and sales worldwide.

\n\n

How Did Black Friday Begin? A Brief History

\n

The term “Black Friday” emerged in the 1960s in Philadelphia, where police officers used it to describe the heavy traffic and crowded sidewalks on the day after Thanksgiving. Over time, a more upbeat (and marketable) interpretation took hold: retailers moving from “in the red” to “in the black” as year-end sales surged. By the 1980s and 1990s, national advertising cemented Black Friday as the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season.

\n

The 2000s saw lines form outside stores for pre-dawn openings, while the 2010s shifted momentum online. The rise of e-commerce, mobile apps, and omnichannel shopping turned Black Friday into a hybrid experience—part in-store treasure hunt, part digital dealathon. By 2025, most major retailers pair in-person exclusives with online-only promotions, often starting deals days (or weeks) in advance.

\n\n

Traditions and How People Mark the Day

\n

From family rituals to personal strategies, Black Friday traditions are as varied as the gift lists they serve. Common ways people celebrate include:

\n

\n
• Doorbusters at dawn: Early risers queue up for limited-quantity items, from electronics to toys.
\n
• Online cart marathons: Shoppers track promo codes, stack coupons, and refresh lightning deals throughout the day.
\n
• Gift list planning: Many families compare ads after Thanksgiving dinner, prioritizing the best-value purchases.
\n
• Small Business Saturday segue: The weekend continues with local shopping and neighborhood events.
\n
• Cyber Monday preview: Savvy buyers hold back on categories (like software or specific tech) that typically peak on Monday.
\n

\n\n

What to Expect on Black Friday 2025

\n

While each year is different, certain trends are safe bets for 2025:

\n

\n
• Electronics: TVs, headphones, smart home devices, gaming consoles, and laptops often see some of the biggest price drops.
\n
• Home and kitchen: Air fryers, stand mixers, robot vacuums, and cookware sets are perennial favorites.
\n
• Fashion and beauty: Seasonal apparel, winter wear, and bundled beauty sets get doorbuster treatment.
\n
• Travel and experiences: Some airlines and hospitality brands release limited-time fare sales or package discounts.
\n
• Subscriptions and software: Streaming, cloud storage, and productivity tools frequently offer annual-plan savings.
\n

\n

Expect many “Black Friday prices” to appear early, with preview sales the week prior and price-matching policies that protect buyers if costs dip later.

\n\n

Smart Shopping Tips for the Big Day

\n

Good deals are great; great deals are planned. Use these strategies to make the most of November 28:

\n

\n
• Set a budget and a list: Decide on must-haves versus nice-to-haves to avoid impulse buys.
\n
• Compare total costs: Include taxes, shipping, and potential accessories to evaluate true value.
\n
• Check model numbers: Some “special models” are made for Black Friday with slightly different specs—make sure you’re comparing apples to apples.
\n
• Use price trackers: Verify that a headline discount is genuinely a low price for the year.
\n
• Mind return policies: Holiday return windows vary. Keep receipts and understand restocking fees.
\n
• Prioritize safety: If shopping in-store, be mindful of crowds; online, stick to reputable sites and secure payment methods.
\n

\n\n

Fun Facts and By-the-Numbers

\n

\n
• Busiest day: Black Friday is consistently one of the top shopping days by foot traffic and online orders.
\n
• Omnichannel rules: “Buy online, pick up in store” (BOPIS) and curbside pickup surged in recent years and remain staples for 2025.
\n
• Cyber spillover: Steep discounts now stretch from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, blurring once-sharp category lines.
\n
• Giving back: Many retailers pair promotions with donations to charities, and Giving Tuesday keeps the generosity going.
\n

\n\n

Worldwide Observance of Black Friday

\n

Though rooted in the United States, Black Friday now spans the globe:

\n

\n
• United Kingdom and Ireland: Went mainstream in the 2010s; retailers blend in-store doorbusters with online price drops.
\n
• European Union: France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and others run large autumn promotions, often with consumer protection emphasis.
\n
• Canada: Even with a different Thanksgiving date, Canadian retailers participate to compete with cross-border deals.
\n
• Latin America: Brazil, Chile, and others host robust online events; Mexico’s comparable “El Buen Fin” usually occurs earlier in November.
\n
• Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, and the Gulf: Global marketplaces and local chains run significant discounts to align with international shopping patterns.
\n
• China: Singles’ Day (11/11) precedes Black Friday and remains one of the largest shopping events, setting the stage for November’s mega-sales.
\n

\n

Note: Some countries also celebrate national holidays on November 28 (such as Albania’s Independence Day and Mauritania’s Independence Day). Retail promotions may coexist with, or adapt to, these local observances.

\n\n

Etiquette, Ethics, and Sustainability

\n

As excitement builds, mindful shopping keeps the day enjoyable and responsible:

\n

\n
• Be courteous: Respect store staff and other customers—everyone is navigating the same rush.
\n
• Buy for need (and joy): A deal is only a deal if you’ll use it; avoid waste by focusing on lasting items.
\n
• Consider refurbished: Certified-refurb tech and open-box items can deliver performance at a fraction of the price.
\n
• Think circular: Donate or resell older items to extend their life when you upgrade.
\n
• Secure your data: Use strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and trusted payment gateways.
\n

\n\n

Key Dates Around Black Friday 2025

\n

\n
• Thanksgiving (U.S.): Thursday, November 27, 2025
\n
• Black Friday: Friday, November 28, 2025
\n
• Small Business Saturday: Saturday, November 29, 2025
\n
• Cyber Monday: Monday, December 1, 2025
\n
• Giving Tuesday: Tuesday, December 2, 2025
\n

\n\n

Bottom Line

\n

Black Friday 2025 blends tradition and technology, in-store discovery and online convenience. With a smart plan, a measured budget, and an eye for quality, you can capture real value—gifts that delight, essentials that last, and savings that stick. Whether you chase doorbusters at dawn or deals from your couch, may your carts be full and your receipts be short.