The short answer
Target Black Friday 2026 starts early. Target confirmed on October 21, 2026 that its Deal of the Day runs from November 1 through December 24, and that Early Black Friday deals run November 5 to 7. However, the main Black Friday week, Cyber Monday event and store hours are not announced yet, so use last year’s schedule as a guide.
- Deal of the Day: daily from Nov. 1 to Dec. 24, 2026 (confirmed)
- Early Black Friday: Nov. 5 to 7, 2026 (confirmed)
- Black Friday: Friday, Nov. 27, 2026; Target’s Black Friday week is Not announced as of October 24, 2026
- Thanksgiving: stores closed under a permanent policy since 2021; not restated for 2026 yet
- 2025 guide: Black Friday deals ran Nov. 23 to 29, stores opened at 6 a.m., and Cyber Monday ran Nov. 30 to Dec. 1
Nov. 1
Deal of the Day begins
Nov. 5–7
Early Black Friday deals
Closed
Stores on Thanksgiving (standing policy)
TBA
2026 Black Friday hours
In this article
Target, the Minneapolis-based retailer with more than 2,000 U.S. stores, no longer treats Black Friday as a single day. Instead, it spreads holiday deals across November and December, starting with a daily deal on November 1. As a result, “Target Black Friday” now means a calendar of events, from an early sale in the first week of November to a Black Friday week and an online-only Cyber Monday event.
This guide separates what Target has confirmed for 2026 from what it has not. Every 2026 date below comes from Target’s own press releases. When Target has not announced something yet, we say so and show the official 2025 schedule as a guide, clearly labeled. For the bigger picture across every retailer, see our Black Friday 2026 guide.
Target Black Friday 2026 Dates and Status
So far, Target has confirmed two 2026 events: Deal of the Day (November 1 to December 24) and Early Black Friday (November 5 to 7). Everything else on the Target Black Friday 2026 calendar, including the main Black Friday week, is still pending.
Target announced the 2026 dates in a press release on October 21, 2026. That release also promises “new limited-time offers every weekend” of the season, plus a first-ever one-day preview of upcoming offers. However, it does not give the preview date.
| Event | 2026 status | 2025 dates (guide) |
|---|---|---|
| Target Circle Deal Days (fall) | Held Oct. 6–7, 2026 (Circle 360 early access Oct. 5) | Not shown |
| Deal of the Day | Nov. 1 to Dec. 24, 2026 (confirmed) | Nov. 1 to Dec. 24, 2025 |
| One-day preview of offers | Confirmed, date not given | None (new for 2026) |
| Early Black Friday deals | Nov. 5 to 7, 2026 (confirmed) | Nov. 6 to 8, 2025 |
| Weekend limited-time offers | Every weekend of the season (confirmed, no dates) | New deals every Sunday from Nov. 2, 2025 |
| Black Friday week | Not announced as of October 24, 2026 | Nov. 23 to 29, 2025 |
| Black Friday day | Friday, Nov. 27, 2026 | Friday, Nov. 28, 2025 |
| Cyber Monday event | Not announced as of October 24, 2026 (Cyber Monday is Nov. 30) | Nov. 30 to Dec. 1, 2025 (online only) |
| Holiday Price Match Guarantee | Not announced as of October 24, 2026 | Nov. 1 to Dec. 24, 2025 |
When Does Target Black Friday Start?
Target’s holiday deals officially start on Sunday, November 1, 2026, with the first Deal of the Day. Then the first big sale, Early Black Friday, runs Thursday, November 5 through Saturday, November 7.
Meanwhile, the main Black Friday sale week has not been announced. Last year, Target’s Black Friday deals began on Sunday, November 23, 2025, five days before Black Friday, and ran through Saturday, November 29. In addition, “even more deals” dropped November 27 to 29, which included Thanksgiving Day, according to Target’s 2025 release.
Target Black Friday 2026 vs. 2025 at a glance
The 2026 calendar lands one day earlier than 2025 because Thanksgiving falls on November 26 this year instead of November 27. For example, Early Black Friday moved from November 6 to 8 last year to November 5 to 7 this year. If Target keeps the same pattern, the Black Friday week would start on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, which is November 22, 2026. Still, that is our estimate, not an announcement.
Watch out. Some coupon blogs list Target’s Early Black Friday as November 7 to 9. That is wrong for 2026. Target’s own release says November 5 to 7.
When Does the Target Black Friday Ad Come Out?
Target has not released its 2026 Black Friday ad as of October 24, 2026. Based on 2025, expect it about a week before Thanksgiving.
Last year, Target published its holiday plans (Early Black Friday, Deal of the Day and the Holiday Price Match Guarantee) around October 30, 2025. Then it released the full Black Friday lineup on November 20, 2025, three days before the deals went live. This year, Target moved faster: the holiday calendar came out on October 21, nine days earlier than in 2025.
When will Target announce? Pattern line: in 2025, Target announced its Black Friday week on November 20, the Thursday before the sale started. Therefore, watch for the 2026 Black Friday ad around Thursday, November 19, 2026, and check the Weekly Ad in the Target app.
How Do Target Circle and Circle 360 Early Access Work?
Target Circle is Target’s loyalty program, and it comes in three tiers. Free Target Circle members get personalized deals and rewards, while paid Target Circle 360 members get early access to top deals. In 2025, Circle 360 members also got early access to select Black Friday deals.
Here is how each tier works, based on Target’s Circle pages as checked on October 24, 2026.
Target Circle (free) — Best for most shoppers
Free Target Circle is the baseline you need for most member-only holiday deals. For example, the fall 2026 Circle Deal Days on October 6 and 7 were open to free members.
- Price: free
- Perks: personalized, automatically applied deals and rewards you can save or spend
- Extra: discounts for verified military members, college students and teachers
Target Circle Card — Best for frequent Target shoppers
The Target Circle Card (formerly RedCard) is Target’s debit or credit card. It stacks a discount on top of sale prices, and it also extends your return window.
- Perks: an extra 5% off, free fast shipping, and 50% off a Circle 360 annual membership
- Returns: an extra 30 days on most returns
Target Circle 360 — Best for early access and same-day delivery
Circle 360 is the paid tier. It matters most for Black Friday because Target marks early-access deals for members. In 2025, Target said deals with an asterisk denoted early access for Circle 360 members.
- Price: $10.99 a month or $99 a year
- Perks: monthly freebies, early access to top deals, and same-day delivery from Target and more stores
- Discounts: Circle Card holders, teachers, students, military members and people receiving government assistance can get 50% or more off
- 2026 Black Friday early access: Not announced as of October 24, 2026
Is Target Open on Thanksgiving? Black Friday Hours
No, Target stores are not expected to open on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26, 2026. Target made its Thanksgiving closure permanent in 2021. However, Target has not restated the policy for 2026, and it has not announced Black Friday hours yet.
In November 2021, then-CEO Brian Cornell told employees that Thanksgiving closures were “now our new standard,” the Associated Press reported. Since then, stores have stayed closed every Thanksgiving, including 2025. On Black Friday 2025, Target said stores nationwide opened at 6 a.m. local time.
| Day | 2026 | 2025 (guide) |
|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving (Thu.) | Expected closed (standing policy); not restated for 2026 | Closed |
| Black Friday (Fri.) | Not announced as of October 24, 2026 | Opened 6 a.m. local time |
Meanwhile, online shopping does not follow store hours. In 2025, Target’s extra deals drop started on Thanksgiving Day itself, so the Target app and Target.com are where Thanksgiving shoppers should look. Similarly, Target’s $30 Thanksgiving meal for six runs November 8 to 29, 2026 (not valid in Alaska or Hawaii), per its October 22 release.
What Usually Goes on Sale at Target?
Target’s biggest Black Friday markdowns usually land on tech, toys, small appliances, apparel and holiday decor. In 2025, its official Black Friday release listed savings of up to 50% across those top categories.
Target has not published 2026 Black Friday deal prices. So the table below shows the categories and discount levels from Target’s 2025 Black Friday release, as a guide to where the savings tend to be.
| Category | 2025 official discount (guide) |
|---|---|
| Tech and video games | Up to 50% off |
| Toys | Up to 50% off |
| Small appliances and floorcare | Up to 50% off |
| Apparel, shoes and sleepwear | 40% to 50% off select items |
| Apple products | Save up to $200 on select items |
| LEGO sets | 40% off select sets |
| Wondershop holiday decor | 40% off |
| Beauty gift sets | 40% off |
For 2026, Target has shared assortment details instead of prices. It says it has more than 8,000 new gifts, more than half exclusive to Target, and that most new holiday items cost $20 or less. In addition, Target is testing Ask Target, an AI shopping assistant in beta on Target.com and in the app.
Industry data backs up the category picture. Adobe forecasts that discounts will peak at 30% for electronics and 29% for toys this season, and that Black Friday online spending will reach $12.9 billion. If you are shopping for TVs or laptops, compare Target with other stores using our Black Friday tech deals guide.
Does Target Price Match During Black Friday?
Target matches only its own prices. If Target lowers the price of an identical item within 14 days of your purchase, you can request the difference. In other words, it will not match Walmart, Amazon or Best Buy.
Under Target’s Price Match Guarantee, you can ask at checkout or within 14 days, and the match covers Target stores, Target.com and Target Circle deals. However, it excludes clearance items, pre-orders, minimum-purchase deals and pricing errors, and it cannot be combined with Circle Bonuses, gift card offers or Target coupons.
Holiday Price Match Guarantee: 2026 status
Target’s Holiday Price Match Guarantee for 2026 is not announced as of October 24, 2026. In 2025, it ran November 1 to December 24 and matched Target’s own lower prices only. Since Deal of the Day starts November 1 again, watch for the guarantee to return then.
Target return windows
Target’s return policy gives you 365 days for Target-brand items with a receipt and 90 days for most items sold by Target. Most Target Plus items get 30 days. Plus, you get an extra 30 days with a Circle 360 membership or a Target Circle Card. Electronics have their own windows, so check the product page before you buy. A 2026 holiday return extension is not announced.
How to Shop Target Black Friday Smarter
The best Target Black Friday 2026 strategy is to shop early, stack your Circle perks and track prices. Here is a simple plan.
- Join Target Circle now. It is free, and many deals require it.
- Mark November 5 to 7. Early Black Friday is the first confirmed big sale of the season.
- Check Deal of the Day daily. Each deal lasts only one day, from November 1 to December 24.
- Use the Circle Card if you have one. The extra 5% off applies on top of sale prices.
- Keep receipts. If the price drops within 14 days, Target’s own price match can refund the difference.
- Shop online on Thanksgiving. Stores close, but last year Target’s deals dropped online that day.
- Compare before you buy. Target does not match competitors, so check other stores first.
You will not be alone. According to the National Retail Federation, 64% of holiday shoppers plan to wait until Thanksgiving weekend for most of their shopping. After that, the deals continue on Cyber Monday; see our Cyber Monday 2026 guide.
Pro tip. Add items to your Target app cart or wish list before November 5. Then, when Early Black Friday goes live, you can check prices fast instead of searching under pressure.
Our verdict
Target Black Friday 2026 is already underway on paper. Deal of the Day starts November 1, and Early Black Friday runs November 5 to 7, so you do not need to wait for Thanksgiving week. However, the main Black Friday week, store hours and the Holiday Price Match Guarantee are still unconfirmed.
Our advice: join Target Circle, plan for November 5 to 7, and treat the 2025 calendar as a rough guide for the rest. We will update this page as soon as Target announces its Black Friday ad and hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Target Black Friday 2026 start?
Target’s holiday deals start November 1, 2026 with Deal of the Day, and Early Black Friday runs November 5 to 7. Target has not announced its main Black Friday week as of October 24, 2026. For reference, the 2025 Black Friday deals ran from Sunday, November 23 through Saturday, November 29, with more deals dropping from Thanksgiving Day onward.
Is Target open on Thanksgiving 2026?
Target stores are expected to be closed on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26, 2026. Target made its Thanksgiving closure permanent in 2021 and stayed closed in 2025. However, Target has not restated the policy in its 2026 releases. Online shopping on Target.com and in the Target app is separate from store hours.
What time does Target open on Black Friday?
Target has not announced Black Friday 2026 store hours as of October 24, 2026. In 2025, Target said its stores nationwide opened at 6 a.m. local time on Black Friday. Hours can vary by location, so check your store in the Target app closer to November 27, 2026.
When does the Target Black Friday ad come out?
The 2026 Target Black Friday ad is not out yet. In 2025, Target released its Black Friday lineup on November 20, three days before the deals began. Following that pattern, expect the 2026 ad around November 19. Meanwhile, Target already confirmed Early Black Friday deals for November 5 to 7.
Does Target price match on Black Friday?
Target matches only its own prices, at checkout or within 14 days of purchase, and it does not match competitors. In 2025, its Holiday Price Match Guarantee ran November 1 to December 24 for Target prices. The 2026 holiday guarantee is not announced as of October 24, 2026, so check Target’s help page before you shop.
Do you need Target Circle 360 for Black Friday deals?
No, most Target holiday deals are open to everyone or to free Target Circle members. However, paid Target Circle 360 members, at $10.99 a month or $99 a year, get early access to top deals. In 2025, Circle 360 members got early access to select Black Friday deals, marked with an asterisk.
