The Best Holiday Shopping Days of 2024

Prime Days and More: Starting October 6

It's never too early to start looking for savings. An estimated 1 in 3 consumers expect to start holiday shopping before October, according to Experian data—and retailers are offering plenty of deals to help.

What to expect:

Here are some of the retailers encouraging an early start.

• Best Buy is holding an Apple trade-in sale that ends October 13, a storewide sale starting October 21 and a sale on gaming consoles, software and accessories beginning October 25.
• Target Circle Week, offering deals for members of Target's free loyalty program, runs from October 6 to October 12 this year. Shoppers can save on everything from gifts and holiday decor to everyday essentials.
• Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days take place October 8 and 9, starting at 12:01 a.m. PDT and lasting 48 hours. Expect discounts on beauty products, clothing, toys, electronics, home goods and Amazon Basics private-label products.
• Walmart's Holiday Deals Event runs from October 8 to October 13 and features savings on toys, electronics, clothing, home goods and more.

Thanksgiving Day: November 28, 2024

Although many retailers close their brick-and-mortar stores on Thanksgiving, the day before Black Friday is a good time to find deals online.

What to expect:

According to Adobe Analytics, Thanksgiving Day 2024 will be the best day of the year for online savings on:

• Toys
• Sporting goods
• Furniture
• Appliances

If you're in the market for any of these items, hopping online to do some shopping before the big meal or after dessert could help you make the most of your holiday budget.

Black Friday: November 29, 2024

Even though many holiday sales start in October or earlier, over two-thirds of shoppers believe Black Friday offers the best deals, and plan to delay big purchases until then. No wonder Black Friday is expected to be the single busiest shopping day in 2024, according to Sensormatic Solutions data.

What to expect:

This year, the biggest discounts on televisions will be on Black Friday, according to Adobe Analytics. Other products and deals to watch for on Black Friday include:

• Beauty products
• Clothing
• Computers (the best prices for computers will be on November 30, Adobe Analytics predicts)
• Electronics
• Small kitchen appliances
• Major appliances
• Smartphones
• Smartwatches
• Printers
• Home security cameras
• Fitness trackers
• Smart speakers
• Mattresses
• Post-holiday travel

Where to shop:

Department stores and home improvement, furniture, electronics, fashion, beauty and computer retailers are all good bets for Black Friday discounts. Last year, the four retailers with the biggest discounts on Black Friday were JCPenney, Macys, Belk and Kohls, according to savings website RetailMeNot.

Cyber Monday: December 2, 2024

Cyber Monday (the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend) is typically the year's biggest online shopping day. Last year was no exception: In 2023, one-third of all online purchases between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday took place on Cyber Monday, eMarketer reports.

What to expect:

Adobe Analytics predicts the deepest deals on electronics and apparel of the holiday season will be offered on Cyber Monday. Also look for deals on:

• Toys
• Computers and accessories
• Furniture
• Televisions
• Small kitchen appliances
• Major appliances
• Smartphones
• Smartwatches
• Smart speakers
• Home security cameras
• Mattresses
• Treadmills

Where to shop:

In addition to department stores and big box retailers like Target and Walmart, some of the best deals on Cyber Monday will be found at electronics, fashion, home improvement, furniture and computer retailers. Don't forget to check prices at cellphone providers including T-Mobile and Verizon.

Super Saturday: December 21, 2024

Super Saturday is also known as Panic Saturday because it's when shoppers who've been procrastinating realize time is running out. In 2024, the last Saturday before Christmas is expected to be the second-busiest shopping day of the season (after Black Friday), Sensormatic Solutions data shows.

What to expect:

The same products that were discounted on Cyber Monday are likely to be on sale on Super Saturday. However, how much you'll save may depend on how much holiday merchandise retailers need to clear from their store shelves.

Where to shop:

Receiving gifts in time for the holidays can be tricky when shopping online. Last holiday season, the median deadline for online orders to be received in time for Christmas was December 15 for standard shipping and December 18 for any available shipping, according to Digital Commerce 360. (Hanukkah starts the evening of December 25 this year.) Check with your favorite online retailers to see if gifts ordered on Super Saturday will arrive in time. If not, a trip to the mall may be necessary.

The Bottom Line

Taking advantage of holiday shopping deals can help your gift-giving budget stretch further. So can searching for coupons or using online shopping portals. Shopping with a credit card that offers an introductory 0% annual percentage rate (APR) can give you extra time to pay off your holiday bills without incurring interest on your balance. Just make sure to pay off the balance before the promotional period ends, or you could find yourself with unwanted holiday debt.

Check your credit score before applying for a new credit card to see where you stand. If your score isn't where you'd like, paying down credit card debt and paying bills on time could help improve it. You can also use tools from Experian to get matched with credit card offers that fit your credit profile.