Black Friday Marks the Official Start of the Holiday Shopping Season

The holiday shopping season officially begins with Black Friday, falling on November 27. Traditionally originating in the United States as the day following Thanksgiving, the fourth Thursday in November, the event has grown into a major commercial milestone worldwide, drawing shoppers with significant retail discounts.

Ahead of the holiday rush, retailers have already begun offering notable price reductions. Major consumer technology products, including the Google Pixel Watch 5, have recently seen steep discounts reaching up to 25 percent off their standard retail prices across various major platforms.

Music fans also have unique releases to look forward to during the shopping holiday. The group KATSEYE announced that their special collection of stage performances, titled The Dance Breaks, will be released on a 12-inch yellow vinyl edition on November 27, 2026, through Polydor as part of the Record Store Day Black Friday catalog.

The late-autumn calendar is packed with significant dates, ranging from quiet days of remembrance to festive community traditions. Early November hosts several solemn days of reflection, including All Saints' Day, All Souls' Day, the National Day of Mourning, and Sunday of the Dead, alongside commemorations marking historical events such as the November pogroms.

Mid-November events also include traditional children's lantern processions for Saint Martin's Day on November 11. Meanwhile, regional winter and Christmas markets across various locations are scheduled to open their doors beginning in late November, offering festive foods and seasonal drinks.

As November concludes, the calendar transitions fully into the winter holidays. The official start of Advent arrives on November 29, marking the formal beginning of the festive season just days after the retail rush of Black Friday.