What is Cyber Monday?
Cyber Monday is a day of online shopping sales in the United States that falls on the Monday after Thanksgiving. Retailers use it to offer discounts on products sold over the internet. It follows Black Friday, the shopping day that comes right after Thanksgiving.
Why it's in the news
Black Friday falls on Nov. 27 this year, and deals guides say the sales are starting earlier than before. Retailers have announced early events, including three holiday sales from Walmart, so shoppers are already looking ahead to Cyber Monday.
- Black Friday 2026 — Black Friday falls on Nov. 27 this year, deals guides say
Background
Cyber Monday is the Monday after Thanksgiving, the fourth Thursday in November. The name refers to online buying, and the sales are mainly offered through retail websites and apps rather than in stores. Shoppers use it to buy gifts and other goods at reduced prices during the holiday season.
Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is the start of the post-holiday shopping period. A CNN Underscored deals guide published Oct. 19, 2026, says sales now begin earlier each year and can stretch across most of November and into early December. The guide also asks whether Cyber Monday is better than Black Friday, a question it treats as a matter of individual shopping choice rather than a fixed answer.
Black Friday falls on Nov. 27 this year, the final Friday of November, so the largest sales arrive later in the holiday season than in some past years. The same guide predicts the first early offers will appear on Nov. 1, with major retailers likely launching their events on Thursday, Nov. 19. The guide also lists early deals on Apple AirTags. Separately, USA Today reports Walmart has announced three holiday sales events.
What people are asking
What is Cyber Monday 2026?
Cyber Monday 2026 is the online shopping day that follows Thanksgiving. Based on the Thanksgiving date, it falls in late November, after Black Friday on Nov. 27.
When is Cyber Monday?
Cyber Monday is the Monday after Thanksgiving, which is the fourth Thursday in November. In 2026, Black Friday is on Nov. 27, so Cyber Monday follows that weekend.
When do Cyber Monday deals start?
A CNN Underscored deals guide predicts early offers will appear on Nov. 1, 2026, and that major retailers will likely launch their events on Thursday, Nov. 19.
Sources
- CNNEverything you need to know about Black Friday 2026, according to our deals expert
- The IndependentWhen is Black Friday 2026? Here’s everything you need to know
- The Hollywood ReporterProton VPN’s Early Black Friday Sale Lets You Stream International TV for 75 Percent Off
- USA TodayWalmart reveals 3 huge holiday sales events with Black Friday deals