Black Friday is a one-day event, Friday 27 November 2026, but the deals around it run for weeks. Here is how long Black Friday lasts, when the offers end, where the name comes from and how to buy smartly.
Hoover's Black Friday deals go live on 28 October, well before Black Friday starts, so a quick look at the calendar pays off.
When is Black Friday 2026? The key dates at a glance
- Wednesday 28 October: Hoover's Black Friday deals go live.
- Monday 23 November: Black Week begins.
- Thursday 26 November: Thanksgiving 2026, the American holiday that sets the date.
- Friday 27 November: Black Friday.
- Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November: many offers carry on over the weekend.
- Monday 30 November: Cyber Monday, the online-shopping day that closes Black Week.
Read more about Hoover's Black Friday on the Black Friday page.
These are the dates for Black Friday UK. Individual shops and websites may start their own offers earlier or finish them later, so check the details of each one.
How long does Black Friday last and when does it end?
Strictly speaking, one day. In practice, retailers stretch their promotions: some launch weeks ahead, others keep them going after the weekend. The end date is not the same everywhere, so check the validity of each offer before you decide.
Hoover's Black Friday promotions end on December 1st.
Before, during or after? When to buy
Before: time to compare
When offers start early, you can compare models calmly, with no countdown clock breathing down your neck.
During: the headline offers
The Friday brings the most visible deals. Arrive with a list and a budget already in mind.
After: for those still deciding
Many promotions run until the end of Black Week, so there is still time to buy while an offer is valid.
Whichever moment you choose, the rule is the same: decide what you need first, then check the offer against the usual price.
Black Friday UK: how the sale got here
Black Friday reached the UK in 2010, through online retailers, and picked up speed in 2012 and 2013 as shops and websites joined in. It has since become a fixture of the British calendar, with a Black Week of its own that kicks off the Monday before the big day and runs through to Cyber Monday.
Why is Black Friday so popular?
A few simple things explain the appeal:
- The saving. Paying less for something you were already planning to buy, especially a bigger household item, is hard to resist.
- The timing. It lands just before Christmas, so it is a handy moment to tick off gifts or to replace an appliance before the busy season.
- The sense of occasion. The build-up from late October turns a sale into an event, and finding the right deal at the right moment is part of the fun.
It also helps that the event now spans both shops and websites, so you can browse and compare in whichever way suits you best.
Why is it called Black Friday? What the name means
Black Friday is the sales day that follows Thanksgiving. As for the meaning of the name, the best-documented answer comes from Philadelphia, where police in the early 1960s used the phrase for the crowds and gridlock after Thanksgiving. Two better-known stories, the Macy's tale of 1924 and the red-ink-to-black-ink accounting story, are popular but unproven, so the history of Black Friday is more modest than the legends suggest.
Traps to avoid when the deals start flying
- Trusting the percentage alone. A 40% discount only means something against a genuine starting price: compare with the weeks before.
- Giving in to urgency. Countdown clocks and “last few left” banners push you to buy fast. Give yourself time.
- Forgetting the total cost. Delivery, extra charges and the returns terms can change the final price.
- Ignoring site safety. Scams multiply when deals are everywhere: stick to retailers you know.
- Buying without a need. A bargain on something you will not use is still money spent.
- Skipping the returns terms. Check how long you have to send an item back, and who pays for it, before you confirm your order.
Appliances worth watching
Black Friday is a great chance to replace the machine that keeps letting you down. Washing machines, tumble dryers, fridge freezers and vacuum cleaners are everyday appliances well worth upgrading at a lower price.
A few checks make the choice easier:
- Washing machines: match the drum capacity to the size of your household.
- Tumble dryers: decide between heat pump and condenser models, which differ in how they dry and what they cost to run.
- Fridge freezers: measure the space first, then compare the capacity.
- Vacuum cleaners: think about your floors and whether you prefer cordless freedom or a corded machine.
Discover the Hoover deals on washing machines, tumble dryers, fridge freezers and vacuum cleaners together in the Black Friday collection.
Frequently asked questions about Black Friday
Is Black Friday a bank holiday in the UK?
No. Black Friday is always a Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, and in the UK it is an ordinary working day: Thanksgiving is an American holiday that is not celebrated here.
When did Black Friday start in the UK?
It arrived in 2010, via online retailers, and became a major event over the following years as high-street shops joined in.
How does Black Friday work?
For a few days, retailers discount a selection of products, online and in store, usually while stocks last. Each offer has its own duration, so read the terms before you buy. Hoover's deals are gathered in one dedicated collection.
Is Black Friday worth it?
It is if you were going to replace an appliance anyway, as long as you compare the price with what it normally costs. Buying something you don't need never saves money.
How do I put together a shopping list for Black Friday?
Start with the appliances you actually need to replace and write down what matters for each: the drum capacity for a washing machine or tumble dryer, the space available for a fridge freezer, or the type of floors for a vacuum cleaner. Then set a budget for each item and compare offers against the usual price before you buy.
When does Black Friday end?
Black Friday is a single day, but promotions can run much longer. Hoover's offers are valid until December 1st.
