When does Amazon Black Friday start? In 2025, the answer stretches far beyond a single date, because Amazon has turned its Black Friday sale into a multi-week shopping season filled with rolling discounts, early-access promotions, and category-specific deals that unfold day by day. As of late November, Amazon’s Black Friday event is already active with new offers being added steadily, while the biggest wave of deals continues to build toward the traditional Black Friday weekend and Cyber Monday period.
Amazon’s strategy has evolved in recent years, and shoppers now benefit from a more flexible and extended structure. Early deals begin well before Thanksgiving, and the savings continue all the way through Cyber Week, making it easier for shoppers to browse, compare, and buy without the pressure of a single-day rush.
This comprehensive guide breaks down every phase of Amazon’s 2025 Black Friday sale, what’s happening now, what’s yet to come, and how to maximize every opportunity. If you’re looking for the most updated timeline and a clear understanding of how Amazon is running this year’s sale, this article delivers everything you need.
📅 Amazon Black Friday 2025: Full Timeline Explained
Amazon no longer treats Black Friday like an isolated event. Instead, the retailer follows a structured rollout that begins early, ramps up gradually, and peaks as the month progresses. Understanding the phases is key to knowing when to jump in depending on what you want to buy.
Below is a detailed breakdown of how Amazon is structuring Black Friday in 2025:
Phase 1: Early Holiday Deals (Early November)
Beginning early in November, Amazon launches its first wave of holiday deals to prepare shoppers for the season. This stage acts as a warm-up to Black Friday, presenting an opportunity to pick up discounted items before the more intense waves begin.
Typical deals in this phase include:
- Mid-range electronics
- Kitchen gadgets and small appliances
- Everyday home items
- Toys and early holiday gifts
- Seasonal items like décor and winter accessories
Early shoppers often use this phase to avoid the rush and get ahead on holiday lists.
Phase 2: Pre-Black Friday Deals (Mid to Late November)
This is where interest significantly increases. Shoppers looking for early Black Friday offers often turn to this phase because Amazon labels many deals as “Black Friday” even before Thanksgiving week.
During this period, you may see:
- Expanded lightning deals
- Discounts on tech accessories, smart home gear, and tablets
- More frequent deal rotations throughout the day
- Price drops in categories like toys, clothing, home storage, and kitchenware
This phase sets the stage for the heavier holiday shopping traffic, while enabling people to spread out their holiday spending.
Phase 3: Amazon Black Friday Week (Thanksgiving Week)
This is the period most shoppers think of when they wonder “when does Amazon Black Friday start.” For 2025, Amazon’s Black Friday Week begins during Thanksgiving week and carries strong momentum into Black Friday.
Common features of this phase:
- More substantial markdowns on TVs, electronics, laptops, wearables
- Big drops in prices on popular toys
- Better promotions across home improvement and large kitchen appliances
- Flash deals that refresh every few minutes
- More bundles and exclusive Amazon-branded promotions
Most deal-watchers agree that Amazon’s biggest tech offers usually appear during this week, especially on smart home devices and entertainment gear.
Phase 4: Black Friday Weekend (Traditional Black Friday Events)
Black Friday weekend remains the heart of the entire Amazon holiday sale calendar. This is where the deepest discounts for many categories land and where shopper traffic surges dramatically.
What typically happens this weekend:
- Lowest prices on best-selling electronics
- Strong price cuts on Amazon devices (Echo, Fire TV, Ring, Kindle)
- Major deals on gaming consoles, gaming accessories, and PC components
- Bigger savings on home and lifestyle items
- Massive expansion of lightning deals with limited inventory
- Final restocks for high-demand items
If you’re aiming for premium electronics, this weekend is usually the best time to shop.
Phase 5: Cyber Monday & Cyber Week (Late November → Early December)
Amazon’s Cyber Monday is no longer just a one-day online event. The brand has transformed it into a multi-day window offering discounts across categories, including items that may have had limited stock during Black Friday weekend.
Expect to see:
- Online-exclusive deals
- Lower prices on software, digital subscriptions, e-books, and online services
- Fresh restocks on previously sold-out items
- Clearance discounts and deals on seasonal inventory
- Strong promos in electronics, home office gear, and accessories
For late shoppers or those who missed early deals, Cyber Week serves as a second chance to catch steep discounts.
🛍️ What’s Live Right Now (Late November 2025)
As of today, Amazon’s Black Friday deals are actively running. Many categories have already seen price drops, and new deals are being added hourly. Amazon tends to rotate deals heavily during this stage, and shoppers can find discounts in almost every department.
Currently trending deals include:
- Smart home gadgets
- Streaming devices and media accessories
- Small kitchen appliances
- Home bedding and household essentials
- Toys, board games, and children’s learning devices
- Seasonal apparel and footwear
- Giftable items under various price tiers
Lightning deals and limited-time offers are especially active right now — so checking periodically can make a significant difference in finding the best price.
🎁 Popular Categories to Track This Year
The 2025 season reflects a wide range of shopper interests. Based on current trends, these categories are worth monitoring carefully:
1. Electronics & Smart Tech
This category consistently brings some of Amazon’s biggest Black Friday savings.
Look for:
- Smart TVs
- Tablets and laptops
- Gaming accessories
- Wireless earbuds and headphones
- Smart speakers, cameras, and home hubs
Deals can be unpredictable — some last hours, others minutes.
2. Home Goods & Appliances
Whether you’re refreshing your living space or preparing for holiday hosting, Amazon’s discounts in home categories are strong this year.
Popular items include:
- Air purifiers
- Kitchen appliances
- Storage solutions
- Home décor and lighting
- Vacuum cleaners, including robot vacuums
These items often reappear in lightning deals, sometimes at better prices than earlier rounds.
3. Toys, Games & Holiday Gifts
With parents shopping early for the holidays, toy deals frequently dominate Amazon’s Black Friday mix.
Watch for:
- Building sets
- Dolls and crafts
- Gaming bundles
- Educational toys
- Outdoor play items
Higher-priced toys tend to be discounted deeper during Black Friday weekend.
4. Clothing, Footwear & Seasonal Essentials
Winter apparel is heavily discounted during Amazon’s Black Friday event.
You can expect markdowns on:
- Jackets, coats, and fleece layers
- Sneakers and boots
- Holiday attire
- Athletic clothing
- Loungewear sets
These items typically receive stronger discounts as Black Friday week progresses.
5. Beauty, Health & Personal Care
This category is often overlooked, but Amazon rewards these shoppers with excellent bundle deals.
Common deals include:
- Skincare sets
- Grooming tools
- Hair appliances
- Holiday beauty gift boxes
Beauty gift sets especially see high demand.
🔎 Why “When Does Amazon Black Friday Start” Has Multiple Answers
Unlike traditional retailers, Amazon uses a dynamic system for rolling out deals. That means the start time is fluid. Different categories may see their best deals earlier or later in the sale, and Amazon tends to shuffle out inventory based on demand patterns and availability.
Key reasons Amazon’s Black Friday feels extended:
- Early shopping trends show customers want to buy before late November.
- High inventory categories are discounted earlier to encourage early spending.
- Tech categories benefit from competitive timing with other retailers.
- Cyber Monday’s influence forces Amazon to stagger interest across weeks.
- Lightning deals require multiple days to operate effectively.
This structure ensures shoppers always have something to browse — and creates a longer holiday shopping season.
💡 How to Find the Best Deals — Even When Sales Are Spread Out
With a sale this long, knowing when to buy is key. Here’s how to stay ahead in 2025:
Watch Lists & Alerts
Add items to your wish list and monitor for price drops. Amazon often discounts saved items during Black Friday.
Track Lightning Deals
Lightning deals disappear quickly — some within minutes. Checking frequently increases your chances of securing the best offers.
Don’t Overlook Accessories
High-ticket gadgets sometimes sell out, but major discounts on accessories can offer excellent value.
Compare Options Within Categories
If your preferred item sells out, a closely priced alternative may still be discounted heavily.
Prepare for Cyber Week
Some shoppers mistakenly assume Black Friday weekend is the end — but Cyber Monday brings a new wave of opportunity.
🧠 Example Shopper Profiles — When to Jump In
The Early Planner
Shops in early and mid-November.
Great for: home essentials, small appliances, seasonal décor, and first-round toys.
The Deal Hunter
Shops heavily on Thanksgiving week and Black Friday weekend.
Best for: electronics, home tech, gaming gear, apparel, and major holiday gifts.
The Last-Minute Buyer
Shops during Cyber Monday and early December.
Finds: clearance deals, restocked items, under-the-radar discounts and online-exclusive gifts.
🌟 Final Thoughts
If you’ve been asking “when does Amazon Black Friday start,” the answer in 2025 is simple: it has already begun. With early deals, mid-November promos, Black Friday week, and Cyber Monday right behind it, Amazon has transformed its Black Friday into a wide, multi-phase shopping window filled with opportunities.
Whether you’re shopping now or waiting for deeper discounts later in the week, the best approach is to stay prepared, keep an eye on deals as they refresh, and act quickly when lightning deals appear.
Feel free to share your thoughts below — what Amazon Black Friday deals are you hoping to grab this year?
FAQ
Q1: Does Amazon still begin Black Friday on one single day?
No. Amazon now spreads its Black Friday sale across multiple weeks, starting in early November and building into Black Friday weekend and Cyber Week.
Q2: Are the best Amazon deals found before or during Black Friday?
Both. Early deals cover many categories, but the deepest tech discounts usually appear around Thanksgiving week and Black Friday weekend.
Q3: Can I still get deals if I wait until Cyber Week?
Yes. Many categories get refreshed discounts during Cyber Monday and Cyber Week, including restocks and online-exclusive promotions.
Disclaimer
This article reflects the most current publicly available information about Amazon’s 2025 Black Friday schedule as of the date of writing. Deal availability, timelines, pricing, and promotions may change without notice. Readers should confirm final details through Amazon’s official platform before making any purchase.