9-minute read · Dates and holiday rules checked against federal and provincial government pages · Price-claim rules from the Competition Bureau of Canada · Sources at the end
Searching “when is Black Friday Canada”? In 2026 it is Friday, Nov 27, the day after US Thanksgiving. Boxing Day is Saturday, Dec 26. Neither day is cheaper for everything, and we found no trustworthy public data that ranks them by category in Canada, so this guide also shows you how to test any discount yourself.
We checked the dates and holiday rules against official sources, then looked at what the evidence says about prices, which is less than most headlines suggest. The products shown are examples at today's listed prices.
Key takeaways
- Black Friday is Nov 27, 2026, and Boxing Day is Dec 26. Black Friday follows US Thanksgiving (Nov 26). Boxing Day falls on a Saturday this year.
- Boxing Day is a paid holiday in Ontario and federally regulated workplaces, not in most other provinces. The four Atlantic provinces also have separate retail closing rules for the day.
- No public Canadian data we could verify ranks the two days by category. The closest source, Adobe's US online forecast, compares Black Friday with Cyber Monday, not with Boxing Day.
- A genuine “regular price” is one the product actually sold at. The Competition Bureau tests it by share of sales or by time on offer.
- Record the price before the sale. Your own note beats a crossed-out price, and it takes a minute.
In this guide
- When is Black Friday in Canada in 2026?
- When is Boxing Day in 2026, and is it a holiday where you live?
- Black Friday vs Boxing Day: which has lower prices in Canada?
- How do you tell if a discount is real?
- How should you plan a big-ticket purchase?
- What should you know about returns before you buy?
- Frequently asked questions
- Sources
When is Black Friday in Canada in 2026?
Black Friday in Canada is Friday, Nov 27, 2026, the day after US Thanksgiving on Thursday, Nov 26 (US Office of Personnel Management). Canadian Thanksgiving was earlier, on Monday, Oct 12, but the Black Friday date in Canada follows the US one. Britannica defines the term as the Friday after Thanksgiving.
The 2026 sale calendar
Thu, Nov 26
US Thanksgiving
Sets the date for Black Friday.
Fri, Nov 27
Black Friday
The Friday after US Thanksgiving.
Mon, Nov 30
Cyber Monday
The Monday after Black Friday.
Sat, Dec 26
Boxing Day
The day after Christmas.
Cyber Monday date from Adobe. Boxing Day is always Dec 26.
Each retailer sets its own sale dates, so check a store's own pages rather than assuming the calendar day.
When is Boxing Day in 2026, and is it a holiday where you live?
Boxing Day is always Dec 26, the day after Christmas, so in 2026 it falls on Saturday, Dec 26. It is a paid holiday for workers in Ontario and in federally regulated workplaces. In most other provinces and territories it is not.
| Where | Is Dec 26 a paid holiday for workers? | Official pages |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Yes. One of nine public holidays. | Ontario.ca |
| Federally regulated employers | Yes. One of ten general holidays under the Canada Labour Code. | Canada.ca |
| British Columbia | No. The province says Boxing Day is not a statutory holiday. | gov.bc.ca |
| Alberta | No. Employers can choose to recognize it. | alberta.ca |
| Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec | No. Not on any of the three official lists. | Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec |
| New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador | No. Not on the paid holiday lists. | NB, NS, PEI, NL |
| Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut | No. Yukon and the NWT say employers may choose to give it. | Yukon, NWT, Nunavut |
Based on each government's published holiday list in October 2026. Rules change, so check the current page. These pages cover worker pay and time off, not store hours.
A paid holiday is not the same as a closed store
Several provinces have separate retail rules. Nova Scotia lists Boxing Day as a designated retail closing day, and Newfoundland and Labrador lists it among its 2026 shops closing holidays. The Prince Edward Island Retail Business Holidays Act names it as a holiday, and New Brunswick lists it as a prescribed day of rest, with exemptions for some businesses.
In Ontario, Boxing Day is a paid public holiday for staff, but it is not on the province's list of retail business holidays. The pages we read do not address online orders, so check your province's page or the retailer's hours before planning a trip.
Black Friday vs Boxing Day: which has lower prices in Canada?
Neither day is cheaper for everything, and we found no trustworthy Canadian data that ranks them by category. The closest public evidence is a US online forecast that compares Black Friday with Cyber Monday and Thanksgiving, not with Boxing Day.
Adobe, which measures US online sales through Adobe Analytics, forecasts the deepest 2026 discounts like this.
| Category | Deepest day (forecast) | Peak discount off listed price |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics | Cyber Monday (Nov 30) | 30% |
| Computers | Cyber Monday (Nov 30) | 23% |
| TVs | Black Friday (Nov 27) | 23% |
| Toys | Black Friday (Nov 27) | 29% |
| Apparel | Black Friday (Nov 27) | 23% |
| Appliances | Black Friday (Nov 27) | 18% |
| Furniture | Black Friday (Nov 27) | 18% |
| Sporting goods | Thanksgiving Day (Nov 26) | 19% |
Source: Adobe, September 28, 2026. A forecast of US online prices. It is not Canadian data and it does not include Boxing Day.
What this table cannot tell you
- It is a forecast, not a result, and it covers US websites.
- It says nothing about Boxing Day or about Canadian stores and prices.
- “Off listed price” is only as good as the listed price. The next section shows how to test that.
Canadian shoppers do treat Black Friday as the bigger event. In the Retail Council of Canada's 2025 survey with Leger, 84% of Canadians called Black Friday their most important shopping day, ahead of Boxing Day at 55%. That shows where attention goes. It does not show where prices are lowest.
Two points do follow from the calendar. Boxing Day comes after Christmas, so it cannot help with gifts you need to wrap. And on a big purchase, each 10% matters: on a $500 item it is $50. Here are two furniture examples from the clearance collection, shown at today's listed prices.
Furniture examples at today's prices
- Fits: TVs up to 190 cm (75 in)
- Storage: two cabinets plus shelving
- Colours: Walnut or Caramel
Best for: A living room that needs a TV stand with closed storage
Check first: Your TV's width against the stand's listed size
- Sizes: queen or king
- Colours: Caramel or Walnut
- Under the bed: clearance for storage
Best for: A bedroom that needs a solid wood frame with under-bed space
Check first: Your mattress size and the room's width
Prices and stock update live from each product page. Seen it cheaper at another Canadian retailer? Send the link to support@valuhub.ca.
How do you tell if a discount is real?
Compare the sale price with what the product actually sold for before the sale, not with the crossed-out price. The Competition Bureau of Canada says a regular price must be one the item genuinely sold at, and the business must be able to prove it.
How the Bureau tests a regular price
VOLUME TEST
More than half of sales
More than 50% of the product's sales were at that price or higher within a reasonable period, usually within a year before or after the promotion.
TIME TEST
On offer for a substantial period
The product was offered for sale, in good faith, at that price or higher for a substantial period, usually within a year immediately before or after the promotion.
A regular price needs to pass one of the two tests. Source: Competition Bureau of Canada.
If a regular price passes neither test, discount claims can be considered misleading, the Bureau says in its November 2025 Black Friday notice. Vague lines such as “20% off our regular price” name no price, so there is nothing to check. If a sale looks too good, ask how long the item sold at the higher price.
Test the saving, not the tag
Real saving
(Price you recorded before the sale, minus the sale price) divided by the price you recorded
You recorded
$500
Tag says “was”
$600
Sale price
$450
The tag math is $150 off $600, or 25%. Your math is $50 off $500, or 10%. The second number is the one that matters.
Example numbers only. Not a ValuHub price.
A five-step check for any sale
STEP 1
Record the price now
Screenshot the price, the model number and what is included. Do it before the sale starts.
STEP 2
Ignore the crossed-out price
Compare the sale price with your own record and with one or two other Canadian sellers.
STEP 3
Compare the total
Add shipping and tax. A low sticker price can end up higher at checkout.
STEP 4
Check the clock
Does the timer reset? Does “only 2 left” ever change? Real deadlines do not reset.
STEP 5
Read the return terms
Sale items are a common exclusion. Read the policy before you pay.
Watch the clock
The Bureau warns that countdown timers can reset while the offer stays open, and that “only 2 left” messages can be false when availability never changes. It says these tactics are used “in full force” during Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Boxing Day (Competition Bureau, 2024). You can report suspected fake urgency to the Bureau through its online complaint form.
Price-tracking websites and browser extensions can show the price history of some products. We haven't tested any, so treat them as a clue, not proof. For store-specific tips, see how to find the best deals on ValuHub Canada. Seen it cheaper at another Canadian retailer? Send the link to support@valuhub.ca.
Write the price down, then compare
Pick two or three products, note today's price and check again later. Free shipping on most orders of $150 or more.
Browse the clearance collectionSee bed framesHow should you plan a big-ticket purchase?
Choose the product, the size and your top price before any sale starts. Then buy only if the sale beats your own record.
- Shortlist two or three products and write down today's price for each.
- Set a walk-away price. If the sale price does not beat it, wait or skip.
- Measure the space and the route in: doorways, stairs and elevators. Our guide shows how to measure a sofa so it fits through your door.
- Compare the total, with shipping and tax, not the sticker price.
Sofas and large appliances are two big-ticket categories to plan this way. Browse more in the sofas and couches and appliances collections.
Big-ticket examples at today's prices
L-Shaped Corduroy Sectional with Changeable Chaise
- Size: 241 x 153 x 83 cm (94.9 x 60.2 x 32.7 in)
- Chaise: switches between the left and right side
- Capacity: 450 kg (992 lb)
Best for: A living room with about 2.4 m of wall for the long side
Check first: Doorways, stairs and hallway width, then the room layout
Upright Freezer with Reversible Door
- Size: 54.6 x 56.9 x 142 cm (21.5 x 22.4 x 55.9 in)
- Capacity: 198 L (7.0 cu ft)
- Modes: freezer or fridge setting
Best for: Extra cold storage in a small space
Check first: Room for the door to swing and for air around the unit
Prices and stock update live from each product page.
What should you know about returns before you buy?
In Canada, a store does not have to take back an item just because you changed your mind, so read the return policy before you pay. The Office of Consumer Affairs says businesses are not obligated to accept returns unless the item is defective. Ontario says its Consumer Protection Act gives no general right to return or exchange goods.
- Look for exclusions. The Office of Consumer Affairs lists promotions and sale items as common exclusions, and says policies can tighten around the holidays.
- Keep the receipt, order email and packaging. Stores almost always need a receipt, and an item returned outside its box may carry a restocking fee.
- For online orders, ask who pays return shipping. Third-party sellers may have different rules from the main store.
At ValuHub, items can be returned within 14 days of delivery if they're unused and unopened. The full terms are on our refund policy page, and our guide to how ValuHub works explains shipping and returns.
The bottom line
Black Friday is Friday, Nov 27, and Boxing Day is Saturday, Dec 26, 2026. No trustworthy public data says one day is always cheaper, so plan around a number instead of a pattern. Write down today's price, set your top price, and buy only if the sale beats both. Read the return terms first.
Browse the clearance collectionFrequently asked questions
Is Black Friday in Canada too?
Yes. Canadian retailers hold Black Friday sales on the same Friday as the US, the day after US Thanksgiving, which is Nov 27 in 2026. Canadian Thanksgiving is earlier, on Oct 12. In a 2025 Retail Council of Canada survey with Leger, 84% of Canadians called Black Friday their most important shopping day.
Why do we call it Black Friday?
Philadelphia police used the name by the early 1960s for the crowds and traffic after Thanksgiving, according to History.com. A popular story says retailers went “into the black” that day, but History.com calls that explanation inaccurate.
Is it cheaper on Black Friday or Cyber Monday?
It depends on the category. Adobe's forecast for US online prices has the deepest 2026 discounts for electronics and computers on Cyber Monday (Nov 30), and for TVs, toys, apparel, appliances and furniture on Black Friday. That is a US forecast, so Canadian prices may differ.
How can you spot fake Black Friday deals?
Check whether the regular price is real. The Competition Bureau says a regular price must be one the product genuinely sold at, and the seller must be able to prove it. Record the price before the sale, compare the total with shipping and tax, and be wary of countdown timers that reset or stock warnings that never change. You can report suspected fake deals to the Bureau.
Can you return Black Friday or Boxing Day purchases?
It depends on the store's policy. In Canada, businesses are not obligated to accept returns unless an item is defective, and promotions and sale items are common exclusions. Read the policy before you pay and keep your receipt. At ValuHub, items can be returned within 14 days of delivery if they're unused and unopened.
How we put this guide together
Written by the ValuHub Team · Last reviewed October 2026.
We checked the dates against the US Office of Personnel Management and each Canadian government's published holiday list. Price-claim rules come from the Competition Bureau of Canada, return guidance from the Office of Consumer Affairs and the Government of Ontario, and the category forecast from Adobe. Product details come from the ValuHub catalogue, and prices update live from each product page. Rules change, so check the current official pages. This is general information, not legal advice.
Spotted something out of date? Email support@valuhub.ca and we'll fix it.
Sources
Prices, discounts, dates and returns
- Competition Bureau of Canada: Ordinary selling price
- Competition Bureau of Canada: News release to businesses on genuine Black Friday pricing (November 25, 2025)
- Competition Bureau of Canada: The urgency is fake, but the deception is real (November 25, 2024)
- US Office of Personnel Management: Federal holidays
- Adobe: U.S. Holiday Shopping Season to Hit Record $275.1 Billion Online, Rising 6.7% YoY (September 28, 2026)
- Retail Council of Canada: RCC x Leger 2025 Holiday Shopping Survey
- Office of Consumer Affairs, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada: Refund and exchange
- Government of Ontario: Returns, exchanges and warranties in Ontario
- Britannica: Black Friday
- Britannica: Boxing Day
- History.com: History of Black Friday: Shopping on Thanksgiving
Boxing Day: holidays and retail rules by province
- Government of Canada: General holidays for federally regulated employees (Canada Labour Code)
- Government of Ontario: Public holidays (Employment Standards Act guide)
- Government of Ontario: Retail business holidays
- Government of British Columbia: Statutory holidays
- Government of Alberta: Alberta general holidays
- Government of Saskatchewan: List of Saskatchewan public holidays
- Government of Manitoba: General holidays, Employment Standards
- CNESST (Quebec): Statutory holidays in Quebec
- Government of New Brunswick: Paid public holidays, vacation time and pay
- Government of New Brunswick: Days of Rest Act frequently asked questions
- Government of Nova Scotia: Holiday and retail closing day charts
- Government of Prince Edward Island: Employment Standards Guide 2025
- Government of Prince Edward Island: Retail Business Holidays Act
- Government of Newfoundland and Labrador: Your Rights at Work: Labour Standards
- Government of Newfoundland and Labrador: Public notice: Shops closing holidays 2026
- Government of Yukon: Find a Yukon statutory holiday
- Government of the Northwest Territories: Employment Standards: frequently asked questions
- Government of Nunavut: Labour and employment standards in Nunavut
