When does Black Friday start at Walmart? In 2025, Walmart’s Black Friday has evolved beyond a single day. This year, the retailer rolled out a multi-phase Deals Event that spans weeks — giving shoppers several opportunities to catch deep discounts online and in stores.
From early-access windows to online-only sales to traditional Black Friday weekend specials and Cyber Monday deals, this updated approach aims to give customers flexibility, better selection, and less frantic shopping. If you want the full 2025 schedule, plus what’s worth buying when, and how to strategize for maximum savings — this comprehensive guide has you covered.
📅 Understanding Walmart’s 2025 Black Friday Schedule
Rather than sticking to a one-day event, Walmart is using a phased rollout that stretches across late November and into early December. This makes the question “when does Black Friday start at Walmart” more complex — but also more shopper-friendly.
🧩 The Phases Defined
| Phase | Period | Format | What It Means to Shoppers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 – Early Deals | Mid-November | Online + In-Store | An early jump-start for holiday deal hunters; best for shoppers wanting first picks. |
| Phase 2 – Online-Only Deals | Late November (pre-holiday rush) | Online only | Great for those who prefer browsing from home; avoids crowds and gives nationwide access. |
| Phase 3 – Black Friday Weekend | From over Thanksgiving Weekend through the last days of November | Online + In-Store | Traditional Black Friday vibe: the biggest discounts, wide variety, best time for in-store pickup or shopping. |
| Phase 4 – Cyber Monday & Final Push | Around early December — includes Cyber Monday and a few additional sale days | Online focus, with select in-store promos | Final chance for restocks, clearance steals, and last-minute gift shopping. |
Because of this tiered structure, Black Friday “starts” for some on the earliest deals, but real-bargain hunters often aim for the later phases where the steepest discounts tend to land.
Why the Change?
Retailers — including Walmart — have shifted to phased Black Friday events over the past few years for several reasons:
- To avoid overwhelming demand spikes — spreading demand out helps manage inventory, prevents website crashes, and shelters supply chains.
- To give shoppers flexibility — not everyone can shop on a single day, and extended timing lets families, working shoppers, and international customers join in.
- To offer staging and restocking opportunities — popular items can be restocked between phases; new items or bundles can drop later to keep interest high.
- To appeal across budgets — staggering allows budget deals early, premium deals later, and variety in both.
That means asking “when does Black Friday start at Walmart” now calls for nuance — it depends on what you’re shopping for and how early or late you plan to search.
🛍️ What Happens in Each Phase — Where to Look & What to Expect
Here’s a deeper look at what shoppers typically see during each Black Friday phase at Walmart, and what to watch for depending on your priorities:
Phase 1: Early Deals — For the First Movers
- Who this suits: People who want early access before the rush, shoppers hunting for moderately discounted essentials, or those with early holiday lists.
- What you might find: Core categories like everyday home goods, small appliances, and some mid-range electronics.
- Advantages: Less competition, easier checkout, and the chance to organize holiday gifts early.
- Limitations: Stock of the most popular or high-demand items (like flagship electronics) may be limited or not yet discounted to deepest levels.
Phase 1 gives shoppers a head start — ideal for picking up basics, prepping for holiday schedules, or getting early gifts without waiting until the last minute.
Phase 2: Online-Only Deals — Comfortable & Convenient Shopping
- Who this suits: People who prefer shopping from home, live far from Walmart stores, or want to avoid crowds.
- What you might find: Deals on trending items, exclusive online bundles, holiday gift deals, discounted accessories and smaller items.
- Advantages: No store lines, nationwide access, easy comparison, and possible free shipping or pickup options.
- Limitations: Some high-demand items may sell out quickly; shipping times may vary, so act early if you need items before holidays.
Phase 2 is great for convenience-minded shoppers — especially those who want relaxed browsing or are seeking gifts, smaller-ticket items, or budget buys.
Phase 3: Black Friday Weekend — The Classic Rush, But Smarter
- Who this suits: Traditional Black Friday shoppers, gift buyers, people seeking major gadgets, home upgrades, or big-ticket items.
- What you might find: Deepest discounts on electronics, TVs, home appliances, toys, winter clothing, holiday bundles, and high-demand seasonal items.
- Advantages: High variety, best deals, in-store pickup option, possible restocks, and chance to browse clearance or overstock sales.
- Limitations: High competition, potential sellouts, and busy stores — especially for popular items.
This phase often delivers the “blockbuster” Black Friday experience — big markdowns, high traffic, and limited-time deals that disappear fast.
Phase 4: Cyber Monday & Final Push — Last Call for Deals & Restocks
- Who this suits: Procrastinators, last-minute shoppers, or those aiming for clearance or restocked sale items.
- What you might find: Online-only discounts, final markdowns, clearance deals, leftover inventory sales, and last-minute gift-worthy buys.
- Advantages: Sometimes surprising savings, less crowding, chance to grab items that sold out earlier, online convenience.
- Limitations: Smaller inventory, limited sizes/varieties, and possibility of items already being gone if demand was high.
This phase often includes deals aimed at clearing remaining stock — a final opportunity for shoppers before holiday rush or product sell-outs.
🔎 What to Watch Out For — Trends, Cautions, and Smart Buying
Shopping Black Friday 2025 at Walmart isn’t as simple as adding to cart and checking out. Because of phased deals and high demand, being strategic is key.
🔁 Watch for Restocks & Deal Refreshes
Products that sell out early may return during later phases — especially during Phase 3 or Phase 4. If you missed something early on, it’s worth checking back.
🧑💻 Use Alerts, Wish Lists, or “Notify Me” Options
Add high-desire items to a wishlist or “save for later.” Some sale items, especially online-only deals or bundles, may reappear or restock overnight.
🚚 Pay Attention to Shipping & Pickup Details
During high-traffic periods, shipping can slow or pickup windows can fill quickly. If you’re buying popular or bulky items, consider store pickup or early ordering.
📊 Compare Similar Products — Look Beyond the Hype
Often, less-hyped products offer similar savings — especially in categories like home goods, kitchen appliances, or clothing. Broader filters (price, brand, rating) can reveal hidden gems.
👪 Think Beyond Yourself — Gifts & Group Buys
Black Friday at Walmart isn’t just for individuals — many deals lend themselves to holiday shopping for families, extended gifts, or group purchases (toys for multiple kids, holiday home upgrades, etc.).
🎯 What’s Worth Hunting for in 2025 — Best Categories & Deals to Prioritize
Based on past patterns and what early shoppers are reporting this year, some categories tend to deliver the best value during Black Friday at Walmart.
- Large-screen Smart TVs and entertainment bundles — frequently among the steepest markdowns
- Kitchen and home appliances — air fryers, coffee makers, robotic vacuums, cookware sets, and more often see dramatic price cuts
- Toys and holiday gifts — building sets, games, dolls, educational toys, and children’s electronics tend to drop in price early and may return in later sale waves
- Winter clothing and footwear — seasonal clothes, boots, coats, and accessories often get solid discounts, ideal for holiday gift purchases or cold-weather prep
- Home essentials & décor — bedding, storage solutions, décor, and small furniture are frequently on sale, allowing for home refreshes before the end of the year
- Budget gifts under $20–$50 — great for stocking stuffers, small gifts, or bulk holiday shopping without overspending
🧠 How to Build a Smart Black Friday Buying Plan for Walmart 2025
If you want to maximize savings, minimize stress, and end up with high-value purchases — not just hype — consider building a plan using this framework:
- List out what you need — Create categories: gifts, home needs, upgrades, essentials, etc.
- Assign priorities — Must-haves, nice-to-haves, budget flexibles.
- Match to sale phases — Early essentials (Phase 1), mid-range or gift shopping (Phase 2), big-ticket moves (Phase 3), last-minute deals or restocks (Phase 4).
- Use wishlists/alerts — Track items, restocks, or sales to avoid missing out.
- Compare price vs value — Don’t just chase “lowest price” — consider how much use or value you’ll get from the item.
- Leverage store pickup or in-store stock — Especially for large items or fragile electronics to avoid shipping delays.
- Watch stock and popularity — High-demand items sell out quickly — act fast if it’s a hot item.
- Stay flexible — If an item is sold out but you still want something similar, consider alternatives.
🔍 What’s Different in 2025 vs Past Years — How Walmart is Evolving Black Friday
Over the past few years, Walmart has clearly been transforming the Black Friday model. The 2025 event reflects several evolving shifts:
- Sale window expansion — No longer a single-day frenzy, but a weeks-long opportunity.
- Digital-first approach — More exclusive online deals, bundles, and restocking — making Black Friday accessible regardless of geography.
- Focus on affordability and gift-friendly pricing tiers — Deals not just on high-end gadgets, but essentials and gifts under modest price points.
- Better shopping experience — Improved website performance, clearer deal categories, more transparent inventory updates.
- Inventory management and restocks — Allows better supply for high-demand items, reducing disappointment for shoppers.
This evolution shows how retailers are adapting to shopper behavior and market conditions — with emphasis on convenience, accessibility, and value over hype.
📝 Example Shopping Scenarios — Who Should Shop When
🎁 Scenario A: Early Planner — You want to buy gifts ahead of time
- Focus shopping in Phase 1 and Phase 2 for basics, small gifts, and early deals.
- Use wishlists and alerts to watch for restocks in later phases.
- Spread purchases out to avoid overspending at once.
🏡 Scenario B: Home Upgrades — You need appliances, décor, or electronics
- Target Phase 3 for the deepest discounts on big-ticket items or electronics.
- Consider store pickup to avoid shipping delays.
- Compare models and bundles — Black Friday often offers combo deals.
👨👩👧 Scenario C: Holiday Gift Hunt for Kids & Family
- Start in Phase 2 for toys, games, clothing and winter gear — often discounted but less in demand than electronics.
- Recheck Phase 3 & 4 for restocks or clearance steals.
- Use pricing tiers (under $20, $20–$50, etc.) to stretch budget across multiple gifts.
🏃♂️ Scenario D: Last-Minute Shopper — You wait till the end or need quick gifts
- Watch Phase 4 (Cyber Monday + final push) for clearance, restock, and online-only deals.
- Be ready to act fast — inventory may be limited.
- Prioritize smaller items or budget-friendly gifts.
✅ Final Thoughts
When does Black Friday start at Walmart in 2025? The answer is: it already did. With a phased approach that runs from early November through Cyber Monday, Walmart’s sale offers various windows for shoppers to score deals, depending on their needs.
Rather than fight crowds or rush on a single day, savvy shoppers can plan, browse, compare, and buy across several weeks — making this year’s Black Friday experience more flexible and potentially more rewarding than ever before.
Whether you’re shopping for gifts, upgrading your home, grabbing holiday essentials, or simply hunting bargains — there’s time, opportunity, and enough variety to make this Black Friday count.
Drop a comment below — what’s your top target for this Black Friday at Walmart?
FAQ
Q: Does Black Friday at Walmart still open on a single day?
A: Not anymore. For 2025, Walmart uses a phased sale schedule. The first deals began earlier in November, and discounts continue through Black Friday weekend and Cyber Monday.
Q: If I miss early deals, is there still hope later?
A: Yes. Later phases — especially the Black Friday weekend and Cyber Monday window — typically include restocks, new deals, and final clearance items.
Q: Should I shop online or in-store for the best deals?
A: Both. Many deals launch online first or are exclusive online. But in-store shopping, especially during Phase 3, offers access to discounted large-ticket items and store pickup for convenience.
Disclaimer
This article reflects publicly available information about Walmart’s 2025 Black Friday sale schedule and promotional practices as of the time of writing. Dates, deals, product availability, and sale details may change without notice. Readers should confirm current offers via Walmart’s official channels before purchasing.