Each year in the United States, the day after Thanksgiving has become known as Black Friday — the unofficial launch of the holiday shopping season. So, when is Black Friday 2025? In 2025, with Thanksgiving expected on Thursday, November 27 (the fourth Thursday of November), Black Friday 2025 will fall on Friday, November 28, 2025.

What is Black Friday?

In short, Black Friday is a major shopping event characterised by large discounts, doorbuster deals, early store openings and a surge of consumer spending. But beyond the deals, it’s also about the history of Black Friday and how it transformed from chaos to commerce.

History of Black Friday

The roots of Black Friday go deeper than you might expect. The term “Black Friday” was originally used not for shopping at all, but for a financial collapse: on Friday, September 24, 1869, the U.S. gold market crashed after speculators attempted to corner it.
Fast forward to the 1950s and 1960s in Philadelphia, where local police used “Black Friday” to describe the day after Thanksgiving when crowds of suburban shoppers and tourists caused massive traffic jams, long police shifts and shoplifting headaches.
By the 1980s retailers revived the term in a more positive light: the idea went that stores, previously operating “in the red” (losses) had finally moved “into the black” (profits) thanks to huge holiday shopping.
From there, Black Friday grew into the retail phenomenon we know today — steep discounts, early openings (and now online deals) and the informal start of the holiday shopping season.
The globalisation of the event has also turned it into a world-wide phenomenon, with many countries adopting Black Friday deals even though their Thanksgiving traditions differ.

When is Black Friday & Why It Matters

As noted above, Black Friday 2025 occurs on Friday, November 28, 2025. It matters because it signals both consumer opportunity (bargain hunting) and business importance (significant portion of yearly sales). Retailers often plan for months — special advertising, inventory build-up, “doorbusters” and online campaigns.
For shoppers, Black Friday offers a chance to get major discounts on electronics, appliances, clothing, toys and more. For the economy, it represents a key indicator of consumer confidence and spending habits.

How to Shop on Black Friday

With Black Friday 2025 approaching, how can you best prepare and make the most of it? Here are some tips:

1. Make a list and budget – Know what you want, what you’re willing to spend, and stick to it.
2. Compare online vs. in-store deals – Many stores now start their Black Friday offers earlier, and online options may save time and hassle.
3. Research doorbusters and small print – Some “huge bargains” are limited in quantity or have restrictions, so read carefully.
4. Organise your shopping strategy – Whether you plan to queue early in-store or shop from home, map out your best route and timing.
5. Consider long-term value – Buying items just because they’re on sale may not always be wise. Ask: will you use this? Does it meet your needs?
6. Stay safe and alert – Both online (watch for scams) and in-store (crowds can be intense) it’s wise to be alert and plan accordingly.
7. Explore pre-Black Friday events – In recent years, many retailers have extended their deals into the days leading up to Black Friday, making early shopping an option.
8. Support local businesses – Consider the complement to Black Friday: Small Business Saturday, or supporting local shops and sustainable consumption.

Why It Continues to Grow

As the history of Black Friday shows, the event started with traffic and chaos, but evolved into an engine of retail. With the rise of e-commerce, the event has extended from one day to a long weekend or even a week of deals. In 2025, we can expect both traditional in-store doorbusters and massive online promotions. The global reach, consumer culture and marketing machine behind Black Friday make it one of the biggest retail phenomena of the year.
For many consumers, it’s less about simple bargains and more about timing, value and experience. For businesses, it’s a chance to claw back or boost annual profit, generate brand attention and clear out inventory.

Conclusion

In summary: When is Black Friday 2025? It’s on Friday, November 28, 2025, immediately following Thanksgiving. What is Black Friday? It’s a shopping holiday with deep roots in financial history, police slang and retail reinvention. The history of Black Friday tells the story of transition — from market crashes to crowded stores to online frenzy. And how to shop on Black Friday means being prepared, strategic and mindful.
As you plan your holiday shopping season in 2025, keeping these origins and strategies in mind will help you approach Black Friday with both savvy and reflection. Whether you’re hunting for deals, avoiding chaos or supporting local business, this retail milestone continues to shape the way we shop and consume.