Black Friday is always observed on the Friday immediately following Thanksgiving Day in the United States. In 2025, Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 27, so Black Friday 2025 will be on Friday, November 28. This date marks the unofficial start of the Christmas and year‑end holiday shopping season in the US and, increasingly, around the world.
Why does Black Friday fall on this date?
Thanksgiving in the US is fixed by law as the fourth Thursday of November, a rule formalised in the 20th century to create a consistent holiday and shopping calendar. Because it is simply “the day after Thanksgiving,” its date shifts between November 23 and November 29, depending on how the Thursdays fall in a particular year. In 2025, the fourth Thursday is November 27, which automatically sets it on November 28.
What Black Friday 2025 means
It has become one of the busiest shopping days of the year in the United States, with many retailers treating it as a key profit driver. The day is associated with deep discounts, “doorbuster” offers, and extended opening hours, often from early morning or even late on Thanksgiving evening. For many families, it is also a post‑holiday ritual: people shop together, plan gift lists, and take advantage of limited‑time promotions that set the tone for the rest of the holiday season.
Origin of the term
The phrase “Black Friday” has several historical explanations, but the most widely cited modern origin traces back to Philadelphia in the mid‑20th century. Local police reportedly used the term to describe heavy traffic, crowded sidewalks, and general chaos in the city on the day after Thanksgiving, especially around a major football game and downtown shopping areas. Later, retailers popularised a more positive explanation: that this was the point in the year when accounts moved from “in the red” (losses) to “in the black” (profits) thanks to a surge in sales.
How retailers use Black Friday 2025
By 2025, it will no longer be just a one‑day in‑store sale; it will have expanded into multi‑day and even multi‑week promotional events. Major retailers in the US typically start “Black Friday week” or “early Black Friday” deals days before November 28 and often extend discounts through the weekend and Cyber Monday. Common promotion types include limited‑time flash sales, early‑bird doorbusters, bundle offers, and price‑match guarantees on big‑ticket items like electronics, appliances, and gadgets.
Global spread of Black Friday 2025
Although rooted in a US holiday, it has grown into a global sales phenomenon. In 2025, many e‑commerce platforms and major retailers in countries such as India and across Europe and Asia will run their own it campaigns around November 28, often aligning with US timing to attract cross‑border shoppers. Indian retailers and marketplaces, for example, have scheduled it‑themed offers around November 28, 2025, sometimes stretching from November 23 or 24 through the end of the month.
Key dates around Black Friday 2025
For planning, it helps to see how Black Friday fits into the broader holiday calendar:
- Thanksgiving Day 2025 (US): Thursday, November 27.
- Black Friday 2025: Friday, November 28.
- Cyber Monday 2025: Monday, December 1, is widely treated as the big online‑shopping follow‑up to Black Friday.
In practice, many retailers will run special prices from the previous weekend through Cyber Monday, effectively creating an extended discount period anchored around November 28.
What to expect from Black Friday 2025 deals
Shoppers in 2025 can expect aggressive promotions on popular categories, especially:
- Electronics such as smartphones, laptops, TVs, gaming consoles, smartwatches, and headphones, which historically receive some of the deepest percentage discounts.
- Home appliances, including kitchen gadgets, vacuum cleaners, air fryers, and large white‑goods, are often bundled with warranties or free services.
- Fashion, beauty, and personal care, where both international and local brands join it push with time‑limited price drops and combo offers.
Online platforms tend to use timed flash deals, early access for members, and app‑exclusive prices, while brick‑and‑mortar stores focus on doorbusters and in‑store‑only specials.
Tips to prepare for Black Friday 2025
Because demand is high and stock can be limited, preparation matters if you want to make the most of November 28, 2025. Helpful steps include:
- Making a prioritised shopping list of must‑buy items and setting a maximum budget for each to avoid impulse overspending.
- Tracking prices in the weeks before it to recognise genuine discounts versus routine promotions or inflated “before” prices.
- Signing up for retailer newsletters or loyalty programs that offer early access windows, promo codes, or extra discounts during Black Friday week.
Checking return policies and warranty terms in advance is also wise, because some doorbuster items may have more restrictive conditions than regular purchases.
FAQs about Black Friday 2025
- Is Black Friday 2025 a public holiday?
Black Friday itself is not a federal holiday in the United States, but many employees take the day off, creating a long weekend following Thanksgiving. - Does Black Friday only happen in the US?
While the date is tied to the US Thanksgiving, retailers in many other countries now run Black Friday‑branded sales around November 28, 2025, especially online. - When do Black Friday 2025 sales actually start?
Some campaigns begin as early as November 20–23, 2025, and continue through Cyber Monday on December 1, so the “Black Friday” period often lasts over a week.
In short, the key detail is simple: mark Friday, November 28, 2025, on your calendar, as it is 2025, then use the surrounding week to capture the best online and in‑store deals worldwide.