Where to Find the Best Black Friday Deals in 2026: Our LA Family Guide to Toys, Tech & Theme Park Passes
Updated: Oct 25
The best Black Friday deals of 2026 land on Friday, November 27, the day after Thanksgiving, but the smartest LA families start shopping weeks earlier. Target kicks off its daily holiday deals on November 1, LEGOLAND California's ticket and pass sale runs November 18 to 29, and Cyber Monday wraps up the weekend on November 30.
We rounded up the dates, the stores worth watching, the Southern California theme park pass sales, and our favorite tools for telling a real bargain from a markdown in disguise. Some retailers haven't shared their 2026 plans yet, so check back as more Black Friday deals are announced.
Key Takeaways
Black Friday: Friday, November 27, 2026 (Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26).
Small Business Saturday: Saturday, November 28, a great day to shop LA's independent toy stores and bookshops.
Cyber Monday: Monday, November 30, followed by Giving Tuesday on December 1.
Early Deals: Target's Deal of the Day starts November 1, and its Early Black Friday sale runs November 5 to 7.
Theme Park Deals: LEGOLAND California's Black Friday sale runs November 18 to 29, and Knott's 2027 season pass prices go up November 2.
Closed on Thanksgiving: Walmart and Costco stores close on Thanksgiving, and REI closes its stores on both Thanksgiving and Black Friday.
Black Friday 2026 Dates Every LA Parent Should Know
Black Friday always falls on the day after Thanksgiving, so in 2026 it's Friday, November 27. These days it works more like a month-long shopping season than a single day, with deals arriving in waves from early November through Cyber Monday.
Early November: Target's Deal of the Day begins Sunday, November 1, and its three-day Early Black Friday sale runs Thursday, November 5, to Saturday, November 7. Amazon already held its Prime Big Deal Days on October 6 and 7.
Mid to Late November: Walmart, Best Buy, and Amazon usually launch their main Black Friday events in the week or two before Thanksgiving. Their 2026 dates: TBA.
Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 26): Many big stores stay closed, but online deals often go live that evening.
Black Friday Weekend (Nov. 27 to 29): In-store doorbusters, extended mall hours, and Small Business Saturday on November 28.
Cyber Monday (Nov. 30) and Giving Tuesday (Dec. 1): Online-only deals, then a day to give back as a family.
Parent Tip: If a big-ticket item is on your list, like a gaming console, a bike, or a tablet, start tracking its price now. A few weeks of price history makes it easy to spot a true Black Friday low.
Best Stores for Black Friday Deals in 2026
These retailers consistently bring the biggest Black Friday discounts on toys, kids' clothing, electronics, and home gear. Where a store hasn't shared its 2026 plans yet, we've marked it TBA so you know what to watch for.
1. Target
When: Deal of the Day runs Sunday, November 1, through Thursday, December 24; Early Black Friday sale runs Thursday, November 5, to Saturday, November 7. Black Friday weekend details: TBA.
Where: Online, in the Target app, and at Target stores across Southern California.
Target is our go-to for toy deals on LEGO, Barbie, and board games, plus Cat & Jack kids' clothing and holiday décor. New one-day deals drop every morning, and Target Circle members (free to join) get extra member-only offers.
Parent Tip: Join Target Circle before November 1 so member deals show up automatically in the app, and use Drive Up or Order Pickup to skip the crowds.
When: Black Friday Week. Prime Big Deal Days already ran October 6 and 7, 2026.
Where: Online.
The biggest selection anywhere, from toys and kids' books to Kindle and Fire Kids tablets and household staples. Amazon Prime members get fast, free shipping, which is a lifesaver in December, and limited-time Lightning Deals pop up all week long.
Parent Tip: Add gift ideas to your Amazon Wish List now. When the price drops, you'll see it right away instead of hunting through thousands of deals.
3. Walmart
When: Friday, November 27, 2026. Stores are closed on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26.
Where: Online and at Walmart stores.
Walmart is strong on toys, video games, bikes, ride-on cars, and electronics, usually spread across more than one Black Friday event. Walmart+ members typically get early online access to each event.
Parent Tip: If a must-have toy sells out online, check pickup availability at a few nearby stores. Inventory often differs from one location to the next.
4. Best Buy
When: Friday, November 27, 2026. Holiday savings started in October.
Where: Online and at Best Buy stores.
The place to watch for TVs, gaming consoles, headphones, and laptops for school. Best Buy releases new doorbusters throughout the season, so the deal you want may show up before Black Friday itself.
Parent Tip: Buying tech for the kids? Add a protective case and screen protector to the same order, since accessories are often discounted alongside the devices.
5. Costco
When: Black Friday deals page is live; 2026 sale dates: TBA. Warehouses are closed on Thanksgiving.
Where: Online and at Costco warehouses (membership required).
Costco shines on big-ticket items like TVs, laptops, and appliances, plus toys, clothing, and holiday décor. Deals usually arrive in several waves, and the best ones go fast.
Parent Tip: Sign up for Costco's email offers list so you hear about each wave of Black Friday deals the moment it starts.
6. Kohl's
When: 2026 Black Friday sale dates: TBA.
Where: Online and at Kohl's stores.
A solid stop for toys, kids' clothing and pajamas, kitchen gadgets, and small appliances. During promotions you can also earn Kohl's Cash to use on a later trip.
Parent Tip: Save your Kohl's Cash for stocking stuffers in December, so the Black Friday savings stretch into a second shopping trip.
7. Macy's
When: 2026 Black Friday sale dates: TBA.
Where: Online and at Macy's stores across LA.
Look here for clothing, shoes, handbags, beauty gift sets, and kitchenware. Black Friday is a great time to grab holiday outfits for family photos before the December rush.
Parent Tip: Shop holiday party clothes for the kids one size up. They'll still fit when the next holiday season rolls around.
Black Friday Deals on Southern California Theme Parks and Family Attractions
Some of the best Black Friday deals for families aren't in a store at all. Theme parks and family resorts often save their deepest pass discounts for this time of year, and a pass makes a gift the whole family gets to enjoy all year long.
Sale Ends: Sunday, November 1, 2026 (prices go up Monday, November 2).
Knott's current 2027 pass sale may beat waiting for Black Friday. The 2027 Season Pass is $115 (regularly $215) and the 2027 Gold Pass is $139 (regularly $240), and both are good for the rest of 2026 plus all of 2027. The Gold Pass adds Six Flags Magic Mountain, the water parks, and the other Six Flags parks in California, Arizona, and Mexico.
Seasonal events like Knott's Merry Farm are included, and monthly payment plans are available. The 2027 Prestige Pass ($349, regularly $399) adds general parking; Season and Gold passholders pay for parking at Knott's separately.
Parent Tip: Six Flags hasn't announced a 2026 Black Friday pass offer, so if you know you'll visit at least twice next year, locking in this price before November 2 is the safer bet. Renewing a Season Pass by November 1 also gets you a free Bring-A-Friend ticket.
Address: 12681 Harbor Blvd., Garden Grove, CA 92840
Black Friday Deal: 2026 details: TBA.
This indoor water park resort near Disneyland has offered early Black Friday room sales in past years, so watch its deals page in November. Every stay includes the indoor water park, and add-ons like MagiQuest and the ropes course can be bundled into activity passes.
Parent Tip: Look at midweek dates during winter break or spring break, and check blackout dates before you book.
Address: One Legoland Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Sale Dates: Wednesday, November 18, to Sunday, November 29, 2026.
LEGOLAND's Black Friday sale takes up to 50% off tickets (starting at $64) for visits starting November 18, up to $120 off Annual Passes (starting at $139), and up to 50% off ticket and room packages at the LEGOLAND Hotel or Castle Hotel for stays January 1 to May 22, 2027 (blockout dates apply).
Tickets and passes are good during the Christmas Bricktacular, held on select dates from November 21 through January 3, and the park's new LEGO Galaxy land with the indoor Galacticoaster is a big hit with kids ages 2 to 12.
Parent Tip: Use your discounted tickets for Kids' New Year's Eve on December 31, when the countdown happens at 6:45 p.m. so little ones can celebrate and still make bedtime.
Address: 500 Sea World Drive, San Diego, CA 92109
Black Friday Deal: 2026 details: TBA.
SeaWorld San Diego has run Black Friday sales on single-day tickets, Fun Cards, and annual passes in recent years, so it's one to watch if your family loves the animal encounters and coasters.
Parent Tip: If you'll visit three or more times next year, compare the Fun Card with the annual passes. The pass perks, like parking and discounts, can add up quickly.
Where to Shop Black Friday in Person Around LA
Prefer to see it before you buy? These are our favorite ways to make in-person Black Friday shopping fun instead of frantic.
Address: 100 Citadel Drive, Commerce, CA 90040
Black Friday Hours: 2026 hours: TBA.
The Citadel is one of Southern California's biggest Black Friday destinations, traditionally opening on Thanksgiving evening and staying open through Black Friday night. Families come for outlet prices on kids' clothes, sneakers, and athletic wear. Check the official website for this year's schedule.
Parent Tip: Skip the overnight rush and go on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning, when crowds thin out and most deals are still running.
When: Saturday, November 28, 2026.
Where: Independent shops in your neighborhood.
The day after Black Friday is all about LA's independent toy stores, bookshops, and gift boutiques. Many local shops run their own specials, and it's a lovely way to show kids how shopping small helps the neighborhood. American Express's Shop Small Map can help you find participating businesses near you.
Parent Tip: Turn it into an outing: pick one walkable shopping street, let each kid choose one small gift for a sibling or grandparent, and finish with hot chocolate.
Not in the mood for crowds at all? REI closes its stores on Black Friday every year as part of its #OptOutside tradition, and we love the idea: a morning hike with the kids, then a little online shopping from the couch.
Best Apps and Websites for Finding Black Friday Deals
A few free tools make it much easier to compare prices and know when a deal is really a deal.
1. Flipp
Download the Flipp app to browse weekly ads and Black Friday circulars from your favorite stores in one place, then save the items you want into a shopping list.
Parent Tip: Search a specific toy name in Flipp to see which stores near you have it on sale that week.
2. Rakuten
Rakuten gives you cash back when you shop online at participating stores through its app or browser extension. Cash-back rates change often and sometimes jump during Black Friday week.
Parent Tip: Turn on the browser extension before Black Friday so it reminds you about cash back while you shop.
CamelCamelCamel tracks the price history of products sold on Amazon, so you can see whether a Black Friday price is truly the lowest it's been. You can also set alerts to get an email when an item drops to your target price.
Parent Tip: Check the price history on anything over $50 before you buy. Some "deals" are the same price the item has been all fall.
For even more ways to save, read these common Black Friday shopping mistakes to avoid.
Smart Black Friday Shopping Tips for Families
Make a list and a budget: Write down who you're shopping for and a spending limit for each person before the ads come out, so flashy doorbusters don't derail your plan.
Review the ads early: Check Black Friday ads and emails to see which deals are online, which are in stores, and which only run during specific time slots. Then decide what to order online, what to pick up, and which stores are worth a visit.
Check the price history: Use a price tracker or the store's own price history to confirm a deal is real.
Read return policies: Many stores extend holiday return windows, but some Black Friday deals are final sale. Keep receipts and gift receipts together in one envelope or app.
Think beyond toys: Theme park passes, museum memberships, and classes make wonderful gifts, and Black Friday is often the cheapest time all year to buy them.
Shop safely online: Buy only from official store websites and apps, and be cautious of deal texts or emails with unfamiliar links.
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Takeaway
Black Friday 2026 is Friday, November 27, but the best deals for LA families are spread across the whole month. Start with Target's early sales in the first week of November, lock in theme park passes like Knott's before November 2 and LEGOLAND from November 18 to 29, and save Small Business Saturday for your favorite local shops.
A list, a budget, and a quick price check go a long way. Shop smart, keep receipts handy, and leave a little room in the plan for a holiday treat with the kids.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Black Friday 2026?
Black Friday 2026 is Friday, November 27, the day after Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26. Small Business Saturday follows on November 28, and Cyber Monday is November 30. Many retailers start their Black Friday sales weeks earlier, so it pays to watch prices throughout November.
When do Black Friday sales start in 2026?
Black Friday sales start well before the big day. Target's Deal of the Day begins November 1, with an Early Black Friday sale November 5 to 7, and Amazon held Prime Big Deal Days in October. Walmart, Best Buy, and Amazon's main 2026 Black Friday dates are still to be announced.
Are stores open on Thanksgiving 2026 in Los Angeles?
Many big retailers, including Walmart, Costco, and REI, close their stores on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26. Online deals often start that evening, and some outlet centers like the Citadel have traditionally opened Thanksgiving night. Check each store's official website for its 2026 holiday hours before you go.
What are the best Black Friday deals for families?
The best Black Friday deals for families are usually on toys, kids' clothing, tablets, gaming consoles, and household gear at stores like Target, Amazon, Walmart, and Costco. Theme park passes are another great value, with LEGOLAND California and Knott's Berry Farm both offering big savings this fall.
Are there Black Friday theme park deals in Southern California?
Yes. LEGOLAND California's 2026 Black Friday sale runs November 18 to 29 with up to 50% off tickets and up to $120 off Annual Passes. Knott's Berry Farm's 2027 season pass sale ends November 1. SeaWorld San Diego and Great Wolf Lodge have run Black Friday deals before; 2026 details are TBA.
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