The short answer
Walmart Black Friday 2026 starts this Thursday, November 12, at 12:01 a.m. ET on Walmart.com, with Walmart+ members getting first pick of hot Deal drops. Walmart announced three holiday events on October 26, 2026: Early Black Friday Deals (Nov. 12 to 15), Black Friday Deals (Nov. 23 to 29, in stores from 6 a.m. local time on Black Friday, November 27) and Cyber Monday Deals (Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, online). Stores close on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26.
- Black Friday: Friday, November 27, 2026; stores open at 6 a.m. local time
- Thanksgiving: stores closed, confirmed by Walmart on October 7, 2026
- Event dates: Nov. 12–15, Nov. 23–29 and Cyber Monday Nov. 30–Dec. 2 (announced Oct. 26, 2026); online starts 12:01 a.m. ET
- Walmart+ early access: hot Deal drops from 12:01 a.m. ET on Nov. 12 and Nov. 23; any remaining hot Deal items open to everyone at 12:01 a.m. ET on Nov. 13 and Nov. 24
- Walmart+: $98 a year or $12.95 a month; new $120 bundle with Sam’s Club Plus
- Still not announced: 2026 holiday return window and specific deal prices (as of November 10, 2026)
Nov. 27
Black Friday 2026
Closed
Walmart stores on Thanksgiving
$120
Walmart+ and Sam’s Club Plus bundle
Nov. 12
Early Black Friday Deals start
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 officially announced for Walmart Black Friday 2026, how it compares with 2025, and what is still unconfirmed. We last checked Walmart’s corporate newsroom on November 10, 2026, and we will update this page as Walmart releases deals. For every other store, see our Black Friday 2026 guide.
Walmart Black Friday 2026 Dates and Status
Walmart has now made its 2026 schedule official. On October 26, 2026, it announced three events, Walmart+ early access times and a 6 a.m. Black Friday store opening. Stores close on Thanksgiving, and the $120 membership bundle is live. Still pending as of November 10, 2026: the holiday return window and specific deal prices. Walmart’s newsroom has posted no Black Friday update since its October 26 release.
| Item | 2026 status | 2025 (for reference) |
|---|---|---|
| Deals announcement | Announced Oct. 26, 2026 | Oct. 27, 2025 |
| Early Black Friday Deals (Event 1) | Nov. 12–15: online from 12:01 a.m. ET, in stores from 6 a.m. local on Nov. 12 | Nov. 14–16 (online and in stores) |
| Black Friday Deals (Event 2) | Nov. 23–29: online from 12:01 a.m. ET Nov. 23; in stores from 6 a.m. local on Nov. 27 | Nov. 25–27 online only; Nov. 28–30 online and in stores |
| Cyber Monday | Cyber Monday Deals Nov. 30–Dec. 2, online from 12:01 a.m. ET | Dec. 1, 2025 (online only) |
| Walmart+ early access | Hot Deal drops from 12:01 a.m. ET Nov. 12 and Nov. 23; open to all 24 hours later | 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 | Open 6 a.m. local time (official) | Stores opened at 6 a.m. (AP report) |
| Holiday return window | Not announced as of November 10, 2026 | Purchases Oct. 1–Dec. 31 returnable through Jan. 31, 2026 (reported) |
Walmart announced the 2026 events in its “Walmart Unwraps Three Major Holiday Shopping Events” release on October 26, 2026, and 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 Black Friday 2026 starts on Thursday, November 12, with Early Black Friday Deals online at 12:01 a.m. ET and in stores at 6 a.m. local time. The main Black Friday Deals event begins online on Monday, November 23, and Cyber Monday Deals run online from November 30 to December 2. That is two days earlier than 2025, when the first event began on Friday, November 14, and Cyber Monday now lasts three days instead of one.
For comparison, Walmart starts a full week before Amazon this year. Amazon said on November 9, 2026, that its Black Friday Week runs November 19 to 30; see our Amazon Black Friday 2026 guide. Similarly, our Target Black Friday 2026 page tracks Walmart’s closest big-box rival.
When did Walmart announce Black Friday 2026 dates?
Announced Oct. 26, 2026. Walmart published its 2026 schedule one day earlier than last year, when it announced its Black Friday Deals events on October 27, 2025. Before that, 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?
Both. In 2026, Early Black Friday Deals start online at 12:01 a.m. ET and in stores at 6 a.m. local time on November 12. The Black Friday Deals event, however, starts online on November 23 and reaches stores only on Black Friday, November 27, at 6 a.m. local time. Cyber Monday Deals are online. 2025 followed the same pattern, with the second event online only for three days before Black Friday. 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 single Walmart Black Friday ad for 2026. Instead of a 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. Its October 26, 2026, announcement promised “thousands of gifts under $20” and a Top Toys list with 25 toys under $25, but it gave no specific deal prices.
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 deals is to watch the Walmart app and Walmart.com when each event opens at 12:01 a.m. ET on November 12, November 23 and November 30.
Watch out. Pages that list exact “leaked” Walmart Black Friday 2026 prices or dates right now are predictions. Walmart has published official dates, but no specific deal prices as of November 10, 2026. In 2025, Walmart followed its October announcement with a second release on November 17, 2025, so more detail may still come.
How Does Walmart+ Early Access Work?
For 2026, Walmart+ members get early access to hot Deal drops at 12:01 a.m. ET on November 12 and November 23, and any remaining hot Deal items open to everyone 24 hours later, at 12:01 a.m. ET on November 13 and November 24. The rest of each event opens to all shoppers at the start. In addition, during both Black Friday events, select online-only deals are reserved for Walmart+ members for the first 24 hours, while supplies last. That is a bigger head start than 2025, when members got five hours early, from 7 p.m. ET the evening before each event.
| Event | Walmart+ early access start | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Early Black Friday Deals (Nov. 12–15) | Nov. 12, 12:01 a.m. ET (open to all Nov. 13, 12:01 a.m. ET) | Online |
| 2026 Black Friday Deals (Nov. 23–29) | Nov. 23, 12:01 a.m. ET (open to all Nov. 24, 12:01 a.m. ET) | Online |
| 2025 Event 1 (Nov. 14–16) | Nov. 13, 7 p.m. ET | Online |
| 2025 Event 2 (Nov. 25–30) | Nov. 24, 7 p.m. ET | Online |
| 2025 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.
On Black Friday, November 27, 2026, Walmart stores open at 6 a.m. local time, when the Black Friday Deals event reaches stores, according to Walmart’s October 26 announcement. That matches 2025, when the Associated Press reported that Walmart stores opened at 6 a.m. on Black Friday. Still, check the Walmart app for your location before you go. 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.) | Opens 6 a.m. local time (official) | 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. Its 2026 announcement highlights top brands, trending gifts, toys, fashion, beauty and home. Those were also 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 or newsroom as of November 10, 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.
- Mark the dates. Early Black Friday Deals start at 12:01 a.m. ET on November 12, Black Friday Deals on November 23 and Cyber Monday Deals on November 30.
- Build a wish list now. Save items in the Walmart app so you can check out fast when an event opens.
- Know the clock. Online events and Walmart+ early access start at 12:01 a.m. ET, which is 9:01 p.m. the evening before 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 official and starts in two days. Walmart has set three events, starting November 12, with stores opening at 6 a.m. on Black Friday and closing on Thanksgiving. Walmart+ members get a 24-hour head start on hot Deal drops, and the $120 Walmart+ and Sam’s Club Plus bundle is live. Deal prices and the holiday return window are still to come.
Our advice: plan to shop online first, at 12:01 a.m. ET on November 12 and November 23, and decide before then whether Walmart+ early access is worth $98 to you. We will update this page as Walmart releases deals and its return policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Walmart Black Friday 2026 start?
Walmart Black Friday 2026 starts on November 12. Walmart announced on October 26, 2026, that Early Black Friday Deals run November 12 to 15, Black Friday Deals run November 23 to 29, and Cyber Monday Deals run online November 30 to December 2. Online events start at 12:01 a.m. ET. In 2025, the events began two days later, on November 14.
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 stores open at 6 a.m. local time on Black Friday, November 27, 2026, when the Black Friday Deals event reaches stores, according to Walmart’s October 26 announcement. That matches 2025, when stores also opened at 6 a.m. after closing for Thanksgiving. Confirm your local store’s hours in the Walmart app before you go.
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. Walmart announced its 2026 events on October 26, 2026, and deals go live online at 12:01 a.m. ET on November 12, November 23 and November 30. Specific deal prices had not been published as of November 10, 2026.
Do you need Walmart+ to get Walmart Black Friday deals?
No, the deals open to everyone. However, in 2026 Walmart+ members get early access to hot Deal drops at 12:01 a.m. ET on November 12 and November 23, 24 hours before everyone else, and some online-only deals are reserved for members for the first 24 hours. Walmart+ costs $98 a year or $12.95 a month, and a $120 bundle adds Sam’s Club Plus.
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.
