Lowe’s makes major Black Friday changes shoppers should know

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when someone says Black Friday?

Deals? Discounts? Crowds?

While I look forward to the heavy discounts, the crowds and lines do slightly curb my enthusiasm.

One way to avoid that is to shop early and look for brands offering deals before the rush begins.

Over the years, retailers have also steadily moved their holiday promotions earlier, giving customers more opportunities to spread out their spending rather than squeezing their purchases into a single weekend.

And with consumers paying close attention to their budgets, the timing of those promotions matters.

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF) 2025 holiday survey, 42% of consumers plan to begin shopping before November. Among early shoppers, 54% said they want to spread out their budgets, while 41% want to avoid last-minute shopping stress.

Still, Black Friday remains a major shopping event. 

A record 202.9 million consumers shopped during the five-day Thanksgiving-to-Cyber-Monday period in 2025, according to the NRF.

Now, Lowe’s is also making several changes to its holiday shopping plans, including an earlier Black Friday kickoff, an expanded daily deals event, and additional benefits for its loyalty members.

Lowe’s kicks off Black Friday on Oct. 29

The home improvement retailer has confirmed in a press release that its Black Friday 2026 promotions will begin Oct. 29, four weeks before the traditional shopping event, with additional offers running through Christmas Eve.

“The holidays should be about enjoying your home, not stressing over everything it takes to get it ready,” said Jen Wilson, Lowe’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer.

The changes give customers more opportunities to shop for appliances, tools, decorations, and home-improvement essentials, although some of the earliest offers will be reserved for loyalty members.

Lowe’s Black Friday and holiday schedule for 2026

Rather than concentrating its biggest promotional efforts around Thanksgiving weekend, Lowe’s is rolling out several shopping events over nearly two months.

One notable change is the expansion of its annual 10 Days of Deals promotion to 12 Days of Deals, introducing two additional days of daily offers.

The company also plans to introduce December Deal Drops to extend new savings opportunities through Christmas Eve.

Here’s how Lowe’s holiday shopping calendar breaks down:

The promotions will cover major appliances, power tools, storage, flooring, cabinets, paint, holiday decorations, and outdoor power equipment.

Customers can also expect offers featuring free products with select tool purchases, although Lowe’s has not yet disclosed the full list of discounted merchandise or prices for each event.

The retailer will keep its stores closed on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, but online-only deals will remain available.

Lowe’s rewards members get early access to Black Friday deals

Another significant change involves who gets to shop certain holiday deals first.

Lowe’s says members of MyLowe’s Rewards and MyLowe’s Pro Rewards will receive exclusive early online access to Black Friday Doorbusters on Nov. 26, one day before the offers open to everyone.

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For shoppers looking for limited-quantity appliances, power tools, or seasonal decorations, the early-access window could be particularly useful.

But getting a head start is not the only benefit Lowe’s is offering.

The retailer is adding several seasonal perks for members, including:

• Free same-day delivery on eligible purchases of at least $25, subject to availability.
• Early access to select Traeger grills and accessories in November, along with opportunities to earn triple rewards points on qualifying purchases after activation.
• Free member gifts and opportunities to earn MyLowe’s Money during the holiday season.
• Free kids’ workshops, including a Holiday Engine project on Nov. 14 and a Holiday Trolley Car workshop on Dec. 12, with registration required.

The same-day delivery benefit requires a loyalty membership, and eligible orders must generally be placed by 2 p.m.

Lowe’s expands holiday merchandise beyond tools and appliances

Lowe’s is also broadening its holiday assortment, aimed at shoppers who are not as focused on home-improvement shopping or gifts. 

Beyond DEWALT nailers, CRAFTSMAN products, and Kobalt Mini Toolboxes, offerings include pet toys, beds, and apparel from Lowe’s Heart & Herd brand.

The retailer is also promoting a HomeCare+ gift card, offering a $99 annual subscription for select home maintenance services.

Holiday decorations are another area of expansion. Lowe’s is expanding its Rudolph and Friends collection with Sam the Snowman and Clarice merchandise available online, alongside returning characters, including Bumble and Yukon Cornelius.

The retailer is also introducing a five-foot poseable Elf on the Shelf decoration, as well as vintage-inspired Christmas trees, lights, and seasonal accessories.

Lowe’s expanded holiday calendar reflects a broader shift in retail, as companies increasingly compete for consumer spending well before Thanksgiving.

The NRF’s 2025 research found that shoppers planned to spend an average of $890.49 on holiday gifts, food, decorations, and other seasonal purchases, down slightly from the previous year’s record.

This makes value and variety more important for retailers trying to attract customers.

But of course, an earlier promotion does not necessarily mean the lowest price of the season. 

Lowe’s biggest savings offers will still arrive during Thanksgiving week, meaning some customers may benefit from comparing early offers with later promotions before making larger purchases.

Related: Costco adds exclusive limited-time frozen treat