Quick answer: The biggest dates in the UK shopping year ahead are Black Friday on Friday 27 November 2026, Cyber Monday on Monday 30 November 2026, Boxing Day on Saturday 26 December 2026 and the January sales that follow. In 2027, Easter Sunday is 28 March, and Black Friday falls on Friday 26 November.
Last updated: 12 November 2026
This calendar lists the main UK retail events from November 2026 to December 2027, with the bank holidays that shape them. Bank holiday dates come from GOV.UK. Which products each retailer promotes, and by how much, varies from shop to shop, so treat the notes as a general guide rather than a promise.
UK shopping calendar 2026–27
| Event | Date | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Black Friday | Fri 27 Nov 2026 | The Friday after US Thanksgiving, now the start of the UK's busiest shopping weekend. Retailers tend to promote electronics, small appliances, toys and gifts. At Bargain Catcher: 10% off everything from 23 to 30 November 2026, applied automatically at checkout. |
| Cyber Monday | Mon 30 Nov 2026 | The Monday after Black Friday, with promotions mostly online. |
| Christmas Day | Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Most shops are closed. Check last-order dates for delivery well beforehand. |
| Boxing Day | Sat 26 Dec 2026 | The traditional start of the winter sales. The bank holiday moves to Monday 28 December because the 26th is a Saturday. |
| January sales | Late Dec 2026 – Jan 2027 | The winter sales season. Retailers tend to reduce seasonal stock, homeware and furniture. |
| Valentine's Day | Sun 14 Feb 2027 | Gifts, cards and flowers. |
| Mother's Day (Mothering Sunday) | Sun 7 Mar 2027 | In the UK it falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent, three weeks before Easter Sunday, so the date moves each year. |
| Easter weekend | Fri 26 Mar – Mon 29 Mar 2027 | Good Friday to Easter Monday; Easter Sunday is 28 March 2027. A traditional time for garden, DIY and home projects. |
| Early May bank holiday | Mon 3 May 2027 | A long weekend often used for DIY, gardening and outdoor furniture promotions. |
| Spring bank holiday | Mon 31 May 2027 | Late May long weekend; garden and outdoor ranges are prominent. |
| Father's Day | Sun 20 Jun 2027 | The third Sunday in June. |
| Summer sales | June – August 2027 | Mid-year reductions on spring and summer ranges. Dates vary by retailer. |
| Summer bank holiday | Mon 30 Aug 2027 | Last Monday in August in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; Monday 2 August 2027 in Scotland. |
| Back to school | August – early September 2027 | Stationery, school bags, lunch boxes and uniform basics. |
| Halloween | Sun 31 Oct 2027 | Costumes, decorations and sweets. |
| Bonfire Night | Fri 5 Nov 2027 | Autumn outdoor season. |
| Black Friday | Fri 26 Nov 2027 | The Friday after US Thanksgiving (Thursday 25 November 2027). |
| Cyber Monday | Mon 29 Nov 2027 | The Monday after Black Friday. |
| Christmas Day | Sat 25 Dec 2027 | A Saturday in 2027; the bank holidays move to Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 December. |
| Boxing Day | Sun 26 Dec 2027 | A Sunday in 2027; the winter sales traditionally start now. |
Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Mother's Day and Father's Day are not fixed by law; the dates shown follow the usual conventions.
UK bank holidays, December 2026 to December 2027
| Bank holiday | Date | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas Day | Fri 25 Dec 2026 | All of the UK |
| Boxing Day (substitute day) | Mon 28 Dec 2026 | All of the UK |
| New Year's Day | Fri 1 Jan 2027 | All of the UK |
| 2nd January (substitute day) | Mon 4 Jan 2027 | Scotland |
| St Patrick's Day | Wed 17 Mar 2027 | Northern Ireland |
| Good Friday | Fri 26 Mar 2027 | All of the UK |
| Easter Monday | Mon 29 Mar 2027 | England, Wales and Northern Ireland |
| Early May bank holiday | Mon 3 May 2027 | All of the UK |
| Spring bank holiday | Mon 31 May 2027 | All of the UK |
| Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen's Day) | Mon 12 Jul 2027 | Northern Ireland |
| Summer bank holiday | Mon 2 Aug 2027 | Scotland |
| Summer bank holiday | Mon 30 Aug 2027 | England, Wales and Northern Ireland |
| St Andrew's Day | Tue 30 Nov 2027 | Scotland |
| Christmas Day (substitute day) | Mon 27 Dec 2027 | All of the UK |
| Boxing Day (substitute day) | Tue 28 Dec 2027 | All of the UK |
Source: GOV.UK. When a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute weekday becomes the bank holiday. Carriers don't usually deliver on bank holidays, and they don't count as working days.
How to prepare for a big shopping event
- Write the list first. Decide what you need and what you are willing to pay before the event starts.
- Note today's price. A saving only means something against a price you have seen for yourself. How to tell if a discount is real explains how "was" prices and recommended retail prices work.
- Compare the total. Add delivery and the cost of returning the item, and compare pack sizes using the unit price. See Unit pricing explained.
- Check the model number. Similar-looking products can differ in specification from one retailer to the next.
- Know your rights. Most online orders can be cancelled within 14 days of delivery. See Your rights when you shop online in the UK.
- Order early for Christmas. Carriers are at their busiest from late November, and bank holidays don't count as working days.
How Bargain Catcher approaches these dates
Black Friday week 2026: 10% off everything from 23 to 30 November 2026, applied automatically at checkout. No code needed. The Black Friday discount and discount codes can't be combined. It is a straight percentage off, and we don't mark prices up in order to mark them down. For the rest of the year our prices follow the approach set out on How we price, with free UK delivery on every order. Whenever we run an offer, its terms and dates are stated clearly.
Plan by department
Gifts and play: Toys & Games, Electronics & Tech and Beauty & Personal Care. Spring and summer projects: Garden & Outdoors, DIY & Tools and Sports & Fitness. Back to school: Stationery & Office. Around the home: Home & Kitchen and Health & Household. For delivery times see Delivery, and for a longer read see our guide UK sales calendar 2026–27.