Black Friday – What & When is it?

Do you love bargains? Well, Black Friday is by far the most anticipated day across the US for discounted shopping. If you grew up in America, it is hard to imagine you don't know what and when Black Friday is. However, for those of you that are not from this side of the pond, we are talking about the Friday that follows immediately after Thanksgiving Thursday. For those a bit familiar with American Holidays, you might know Thanksgiving falls on the last Thursday in November. For most Americans, Thanksgiving is the most celebrated Holiday and the de-facto opener to the Holiday Season & Christmas.

How do you spend Black Friday in NYC?

Black Friday is something that every family experiences a bit differently. There are those families that are all about the shopping and those that are more about the food and the experiences. Our family has always been big on the holiday meal, the parade, the football games on Thanksgiving Day, and the new Blockbuster movie on Black Friday. On the other hand, there are those families that do take advantage of Black Friday's great bargains and start lining up the night before to get first access to their favorite stores and their deals.

To be fair, for those of us located in big cities like NYC and especially in Manhattan, the lining up the night before, the fistfights at the cash registers, the full-on brawls, haven't been a reality, at least not in recent years. I mean hard to imagine people fighting at Bergdorf Goodman, Saks 5th, or Luis Vuitton, right?

However, this is not to say that even in a big city such as New York, you won't find great deals. The main department stores such as Macy's, Bloomingdales, and even Saks 5th Ave, will have great deals in store for you. You won't find a Chanel reduced by 70%, but you will still find some bargains, nonetheless. Later in the article will list some top choices for the best Black Friday Shopping in the city.

For those of you spending Black Friday in New York City and looking to experience this bubbly shopping-spree atmosphere, you will have the opportunity to shop for clothing, Hi-Fi equipment, and furniture at discounted prices. And although people might not be lining up the night before or fighting over a TV, you should be prepared for long lines and crowded places.


The next Black Fridays will fall on –

November 25th, 2022
November 24th, 2023
November 29th, 2024
November 28th, 2025
November 27th, 2026

History of Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday

Do you know that the first Black Friday dates back to 1924? It actually started right here in NYC when the iconic Macy's Department Store decided to organize a parade after the Thanksgiving Holiday. Since then, it has always repeated itself every year and exploded in the 1980s thanks to the great economic boom.

The "black" is said to refer to the black color that identifies the positive balance of shops and commercial activities following the large takings of the day.

For Cyber ​​Monday, on the other hand, we need to jump to 2005 when e-commerce starts booming and a date dedicated to online discounted purchases of electronic equipment, computers, Hi-Fi stereos, telephones, and more, is introduced to the market. It falls on the Monday following Black Friday creating what is called the longest and most important shopping weekend of the year.

Where to Shop Black Friday Deals in New York City?

Macy's Department Store - the original promoter of Black Friday - in Herald Square should be at the top of your list. Doors open at 6 am on Friday, you should expect large crowds and long lines.

Saks Off Fifth Avenue is also a smart choice, especially if you are looking for deals on exclusive clothing items. Doors open at 7:30 am.

The Japanese chain Uniqlo will open overnight.

The Shops at Columbus Circle, Downtown Brookfield Place along with Westfield Mall at the WTC, and the brand-new Hudson Yards Mall will all offer exclusive deals and events during the Holiday Weekend.

For a more complete list of shopping centers, you can read our guide on Where to Shop and Where to Eat in New York.

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Updates and useful info for a holiday in New York 2022/2023

First of all, stay up to date by reading: Traveling safely in New York: a post-COVID-19 reality Our page is always updated.