Black Friday 2023: Everything to know, from its history to major store hours and more

Olivia Minzola, Salisbury Daily Times
Updated ·3 min read

With the holiday season almost underway, it's not too early to start thinking about what presents you and your loved ones will place underneath the twinkling Christmas tree.

Here's everything you need to know to get a jump on the holiday shopping season, Black Friday and more.

When is Black Friday 2023?

Black Friday, the Friday after Thanksgiving, is considered to be the official start of the holiday shopping season. This year, Black Friday falls on Friday, Nov. 24.

That day, businesses both big and small, local ones and national chains, will offer major markdowns on toys, games, electronics, clothing, appliances and more.

Likewise, Cyber Monday — a popular virtual shopping experience, and the online counterpart to Black Friday — falls on Monday, Nov. 27.

Shop all the best early Black Friday deals and sales today.
Shop all the best early Black Friday deals and sales today.

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Is holiday shopping stressful? Many Americans say yes

While some consider holiday shopping to be a merry experience, others find it to be stressful.

Over half of Americans (53%) say shopping for gifts is the most stressful part of the holiday season, according to a recent survey conducted by TopCashback.com. The survey polled a cross-section of 1,756 US-based adults age 18 and older.

As for why holiday gift shopping is stressful, according to TopCashBack, the top three responses are:

  1. Finding the perfect gifts people will actually like (73%)

  2. Looking for the best deals/sales (55%)

  3. Spending too much money or going into debt (39%)

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What are the hours for some major stores?

A shopper pushes a cart through the parking lot of a Walmart on the morning of Black Friday in Wilmington, Delaware, on November 25, 2022. Walmart raised its full-year forecast on August 17, 2023, following a jump in quarterly profits, pointing to solid increases at US stores and e-commerce. The big retailer, which has been seen as well positioned amid inflation because of its reputation for value, enjoyed another quarter of growing sales.

  • Walmart will be closed on Thanksgiving, but stores will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. local time on Black Friday, according to the company and via USA Today.

  • Target will also be closed on Thanksgiving in 2023, but stores will open at 6 a.m. Friday and will close at their regular time. Some store hours vary by location, so check with your local store for their specific hours.

  • Most CVS stores will be open regular hours, however some locations may be closed or have limited hours, the company told USA TODAY. Most Walgreens stores will also be open their regular hours on Black Friday. It is always best to check your local store's hours before going. You can find your local CVS here and Walgreens here.

What’s the history of Black Friday?

Although it's not an official holiday, Black Friday has become an integral part of many Thanksgiving celebrations for families throughout the United States.

According to History.com, the first recorded use of the term “Black Friday” was applied not to post-Thanksgiving holiday shopping but to a financial crisis: specifically, the crash of the U.S. gold market on Sept. 24, 1869.

On that famous Friday, or the Black Friday gold panic, the stock market plummeted. As a result, everyone from Wall Street barons to lowly farmers went bankrupt.

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Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at ominzola@delmarvanow.com.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Everything to know about Black Friday, when it comes and much more