The short answer
Walmart Black Friday 2026 dates are not announced yet as of October 24, 2026. However, Walmart has confirmed that stores will close on Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 26), and Black Friday itself falls on Friday, November 27. Last year, Walmart revealed its plans on October 27, so an announcement could come any day.
- Black Friday: Friday, November 27, 2026
- Thanksgiving: stores closed, confirmed by Walmart on October 7, 2026
- Event dates and early access: Not announced as of October 24, 2026
- 2025 guide: two events (Nov. 14 to 16 and Nov. 25 to 30) plus Cyber Monday on Dec. 1
- Walmart+: $98 a year or $12.95 a month; new $120 bundle with Sam’s Club Plus
Nov. 27
Black Friday 2026
Closed
Walmart stores on Thanksgiving
$120
Walmart+ and Sam’s Club Plus bundle
TBA
2026 event dates
In this article
Walmart, the Bentonville, Arkansas-based discount retailer, now spreads its Black Friday deals across several weeks instead of one doorbuster morning. As a result, “Walmart Black Friday” means a series of online and in-store sale events, with early online access for Walmart+ members, its paid membership program. Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, still anchors the season, but the deals usually start well before it.
This guide covers what Walmart has actually confirmed for Walmart Black Friday 2026, what it did in 2025, and what to expect next. We checked Walmart’s corporate newsroom on October 24, 2026, and we will update this page as soon as the official schedule appears. For every other store, see our Black Friday 2026 guide.
Walmart Black Friday 2026 Dates and Status
Right now, only two Walmart facts for this season are official: stores close on Thanksgiving, and the new $120 membership bundle is live. Everything else, including the event dates and early access times, is still pending.
| Item | 2026 status | 2025 (for reference) |
|---|---|---|
| Deals announcement | Not announced as of October 24, 2026 | Oct. 27, 2025 |
| Black Friday Deals Event 1 | Not announced as of October 24, 2026 | Nov. 14–16 (online and in stores) |
| Black Friday Deals Event 2 | Not announced as of October 24, 2026 | Nov. 25–27 online only; Nov. 28–30 online and in stores |
| Cyber Monday | Cyber Monday is Nov. 30, 2026; Walmart event not announced | Dec. 1, 2025 (online only) |
| Walmart+ early access | Not announced as of October 24, 2026 | Five hours early online, from 7 p.m. ET the evening before each event |
| Thanksgiving | Closed (confirmed Oct. 7, 2026) | Closed |
| Black Friday store hours | Not announced as of October 24, 2026 | Stores opened at 6 a.m. (AP report) |
| Holiday return window | Not announced as of October 24, 2026 | Purchases Oct. 1–Dec. 31 returnable through Jan. 31, 2026 (reported) |
Walmart confirmed the Thanksgiving closure in its “Walmart is Ready for the Season” release on October 7, 2026. Meanwhile, the 2025 schedule comes from Walmart’s own 2025 Black Friday Deals announcement.
When Does Walmart Black Friday Start?
Walmart has not said when Black Friday 2026 starts. In 2025, though, the first event began on Friday, November 14, almost two weeks before Thanksgiving, and the second began online on Tuesday, November 25, during Thanksgiving week.
When will Walmart announce Black Friday 2026 dates?
Walmart announced its 2025 Black Friday Deals events on Monday, October 27, 2025. So if it keeps a similar calendar, the 2026 announcement should arrive in late October or early November. That is a pattern, not a promise, and Walmart has given no date. In addition, Walmart already ran an October Walmart Deals sale, which NBC Select reported as October 5 to 11, 2026.
Will Walmart Black Friday 2026 be in store or online?
In 2025, the first event ran online and in stores at the same time. By contrast, the second event started online only for three days (November 25 to 27) and then opened in stores on Black Friday, November 28. Cyber Monday was online only. Therefore, if you want the earliest shot at popular items, plan to shop online first.
When Does the Walmart Black Friday Ad Come Out?
There is no Walmart Black Friday ad for 2026 yet. Instead of a single printed circular weeks in advance, Walmart now announces its event dates with a preview of featured deals and then releases the full deals online when each event opens.
For example, the October 27, 2025, announcement listed event dates, Walmart+ early access times and a “sneak peek” of items. It promised “thousands of deals under $20” and “up to 60% off top brands.” Then the actual deals went live in the app and on Walmart.com at each event start. So the best way to see the Walmart Black Friday 2026 ad is to watch the corporate newsroom and the Walmart app in late October and early November.
Watch out. Pages that list exact “leaked” Walmart Black Friday 2026 prices or dates right now are predictions. Walmart has published neither as of October 24, 2026.
How Does Walmart+ Early Access Work?
In 2025, Walmart+ members could shop each Black Friday event online five hours before everyone else, starting at 7 p.m. ET the evening before. Walmart has not yet confirmed early access for 2026, but the perk has appeared in its holiday events before.
| Event (2025) | Walmart+ early access start | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Event 1 (Nov. 14–16) | Nov. 13, 7 p.m. ET | Online |
| Event 2 (Nov. 25–30) | Nov. 24, 7 p.m. ET | Online |
| Cyber Monday (Dec. 1) | Nov. 30, 7 p.m. ET | Online |
What does Walmart+ cost in 2026?
According to Walmart’s Walmart+ help page, an annual membership costs $98 and a monthly membership costs $12.95, plus applicable tax. Qualifying shoppers who receive SNAP, WIC, Medicaid and similar assistance can join Walmart+ Assist for $49 a year or $6.47 a month.
The new $120 Walmart+ and Sam’s Club Plus bundle
On October 20, 2026, Walmart launched a combined Walmart+ and Sam’s Club Plus membership for $120 a year. Walmart says that is almost $100 less than members previously paid for both. Here is how the upgrade math works:
- Walmart+ annual members: switch to the bundle for $22 more a year.
- Sam’s Club members: upgrade to Sam’s Club Plus for $60 more and get Walmart+ included.
- Sam’s Club Plus members: activate Walmart+ at no extra cost.
- Paying for both already: link the accounts; most members qualify for a prorated Walmart+ refund.
Other listed benefits include free delivery from Walmart and Sam’s Club (with order minimums), a choice of Peacock Premium or Paramount+ Essential, and 10 cents off per gallon at more than 17,000 participating gas stations. Also, Walmart+ members get unlimited Express Pickup with no fee, according to the October 7 release.
Pro tip. If you only want early access, compare the cost to the deals you actually plan to buy. Walmart’s pages have advertised a 30-day trial, but the offer varies, so check the sign-up page. Note that there is no trial for the Sam’s Club Plus bundle.
Is Walmart Open on Thanksgiving? Black Friday Hours
No, Walmart is not open on Thanksgiving 2026. Walmart said on October 7 that “Stores will be closed again on Thanksgiving and Christmas this year,” which means stores close on Thursday, November 26, 2026, and reopen on Black Friday.
Walmart has not announced its 2026 Black Friday store hours. In 2025, the Associated Press reported that Walmart stores opened at 6 a.m. on Black Friday. So an early opening is likely again, but hours vary by store, and you should check the Walmart app for your location. Meanwhile, Walmart says Express Pickup, which can have orders ready in as little as one hour, will expand nationwide in time for Thanksgiving.
| Day | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving (Thu.) | Closed (official) | Closed |
| Black Friday (Fri.) | Not announced as of October 24, 2026 | Opened 6 a.m. (AP) |
| Christmas Day | Closed (official) | Closed |
What Usually Goes on Sale at Walmart?
Walmart’s Black Friday deals usually span toys, electronics, home, fashion and beauty. Those were the headline categories in its 2025 announcement, which also named brands such as Apple, Dyson, LEGO, Levi’s, Barbie, De’Longhi and La Roche-Posay.
The 2025 sneak peek also covered home appliances and decor, cordless vacuums, space heaters, tires, ride-on toys, pet toys, hair styling tools, fragrance, jewelry, apparel, footwear, puzzles and trampolines. We are not listing prices here, because Walmart has not published any Walmart Black Friday 2026 deal prices.
For context, Adobe expects online Black Friday spending of $12.9 billion across US retailers in 2026, and it forecasts that electronics discounts could peak at about 30% during Cyber Week. In other words, tech is where the deepest markdowns tend to land. Read our Black Friday tech deals guide to judge what a good TV or laptop price looks like. (Source: Adobe holiday forecast.)
Does Walmart Price Match or Extend Returns?
Walmart’s price match is narrow: in stores, it matches the price of an identical item advertised on Walmart.com, with restrictions. It does not match competitors, and it offers no price matching on Walmart.com orders, according to Walmart’s price match FAQ.
- In store: tell the associate about the Walmart.com price at checkout; the item must be in stock on Walmart.com, and the store manager on duty makes the final call.
- Online: no matching for competitor prices, Marketplace seller prices, or price drops after you buy.
Holiday return window
Walmart has not posted a 2026 holiday return extension on its own site as of October 24, 2026. Last year, TheStreet reported that most purchases made October 1 through December 31, 2025, could be returned until January 31, 2026. Normally, the Walmart standard return policy allows 90 days for most items, 30 days for most consumer electronics and 14 days for wireless phones. Marketplace sellers can set their own terms.
Watch out. A 2026 holiday return window is circulating on seller blogs, but Walmart has not confirmed it. Keep receipts and check the return date on each item in your order history.
How to Shop Walmart Black Friday Like a Pro
The best Walmart Black Friday strategy is simple: track the item you want early, shop online at the event start, and use pickup to skip the lines.
- Watch for the announcement. Walmart’s 2025 news came on October 27, so check the corporate newsroom and the app daily this week.
- Build a wish list now. Save items in the Walmart app so you can check out fast when an event opens.
- Know the clock. Early access in 2025 started at 7 p.m. ET, which is 4 p.m. on the West Coast.
- Use Express Pickup. Orders can be ready in as little as one hour, and Walmart+ members pay no fee.
- Check the seller. Marketplace items can carry different return rules than items sold by Walmart.
- Do not overpay for membership. Join Walmart+ only if early access or free delivery will save you more than it costs.
You are not alone in waiting, either. NRF’s 2026 survey found that 64% of shoppers are likely to wait until Thanksgiving weekend for most of their shopping, while 43% start before November. (NRF holiday survey.) Then, after Black Friday, compare prices again during Cyber Monday 2026 on November 30.
Our verdict
Walmart Black Friday 2026 is coming together slowly. Walmart has confirmed that stores close on Thanksgiving and that its $120 Walmart+ and Sam’s Club Plus bundle is live, but it has not set event dates, early access times or store hours yet.
Our advice: use 2025 as your guide. Expect a multi-week event, plan to shop online first, and decide now whether Walmart+ early access is worth $98 to you. We will update this page the moment Walmart publishes its 2026 schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Walmart Black Friday 2026 start?
Walmart has not announced its Black Friday 2026 dates as of October 24, 2026. For reference, in 2025 Walmart announced its plans on October 27 and ran two events, November 14 to 16 and November 25 to 30, followed by an online Cyber Monday event on December 1. Therefore, a late-October announcement would match last year’s pattern.
Is Walmart open on Thanksgiving 2026?
No. Walmart said on October 7, 2026, that its stores will be closed again on Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026. However, Walmart.com and the app normally stay available, so you can still browse and order online while stores are closed for the holiday.
What time does Walmart open on Black Friday?
Walmart has not published 2026 Black Friday store hours yet. In 2025, the Associated Press reported that Walmart stores opened at 6 a.m. on Black Friday after closing for Thanksgiving. So expect a similar early-morning opening, but confirm your local store’s hours in the Walmart app before you go, because hours can vary by location.
When does the Walmart Black Friday ad come out?
Walmart no longer leans on one giant printed ad. Instead, it announces its event dates and a sneak peek of deals, then releases deals in waves online and in the app. In 2025, that announcement came on October 27. The 2026 deals announcement has not been published as of October 24, 2026.
Do you need Walmart+ to get Walmart Black Friday deals?
No, the deals open to everyone. However, in 2025 Walmart+ members got online access five hours early, starting at 7 p.m. ET the evening before each event. Walmart+ costs $98 a year or $12.95 a month, and a new $120 bundle adds Sam’s Club Plus. Walmart has not confirmed 2026 early access yet.
Does Walmart price match during Black Friday?
Only in a limited way. In stores, Walmart matches the price of an identical item advertised on Walmart.com, with restrictions, and the store manager makes the final call. Walmart does not match competitors’ prices, and it offers no price matching on Walmart.com purchases, including items that drop in price after you buy them.
