RestockPalBlack Friday 2026 for Toy Hunters in New Jersey
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If you are planning Black Friday 2026 toy shopping in New Jersey, here is the short version. Black Friday is Friday, November 27, and as of mid-October the big retailers have not announced their own Black Friday ad dates. The hardest-to-find items, like the PS5 Pro, are rarely the ones that go on sale, so a plan matters more than a doorbuster. This guide covers the calendar, what usually gets discounted, a game plan for parents, Bergen County's Sunday rules, and shipping deadlines. It is part of our 2026 holiday gift guide.
The quick answer
Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, 2026. Black Friday is Friday, November 27, and Cyber Monday is Monday, November 30. Those dates are fixed. What is not fixed yet is what each store will actually do.
As of October 16, Amazon, Walmart, Target and Best Buy had not announced their own Black Friday 2026 dates, according to the deals site koupon.ai. We checked as of October 18 and found no retailer announcement either. When ads and sale windows go public, we will update this page.
So this post will not pretend to know which toy is $10 off at which store. Nobody can know that yet. What we can do is give you the dates that are certain, explain how holiday toy sales usually behave, and build a plan that works whatever the ads say.
One more honest note up front. Some toys are easy to find at a fair price all season. Others, like the PlayStation 5 Pro, are scarce enough that a sale price is unlikely. Knowing which is which saves you a lot of driving around New Jersey.
The calendar
Here are the dates worth putting in your phone. We have marked what is confirmed and what is not.
| Date | What happens | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 6 to 7 | Amazon Prime Big Deal Days; Target Circle Deal Days | Already happened (Target's event ran Oct 6 to 7, with early access Oct 5) |
| Thu, Nov 19 | Grand Theft Auto VI launch day, which adds to PlayStation demand | Date reported by TheStreet |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Thanksgiving | Confirmed |
| Fri, Nov 27 | Black Friday | Confirmed date; retailer ad details not announced |
| Sun, Nov 29 | The Sunday after Thanksgiving; Bergen County blue laws apply | Law unchanged; see below |
| Mon, Nov 30 | Cyber Monday | Confirmed date; sales not announced |
| Thu, Dec 17 | USPS Ground Advantage last day to ship for Dec 25 delivery | Per USPS, published Sept 22, 2026 |
| Fri, Dec 18 | USPS Priority Mail last day | Per USPS |
| Dec 6, 13, 20, 27 | The four December Sundays | Bergen blue laws apply |
Retailers spread deals across weeks, so the best price on your list might land in mid-November rather than on Black Friday itself. Make the list early and watch prices over several weeks.
What is likely to be discounted, and what is not
Nobody has published the 2026 deals, so this section is general. It is based on how retail tends to work, not on a leaked ad. Treat it as a guide to your expectations, not a promise.
More likely to see a deal
- Big, widely stocked toy lines. Stores have plenty of them and want to move volume. Building sets, dolls, play sets, board games and art supplies are the usual candidates.
- Older games and accessories. Extra controllers, older titles and carrying cases are the kind of add-ons that get discounted when a console itself does not.
- Store-brand and exclusive items. Retailers like to discount items only they sell, because it brings you into their store.
- Clothing and pajamas. Stores like Kohl's and Macy's run frequent clothing promotions. In New Jersey, clothing is exempt from sales tax (more on that below), which stacks nicely with a markdown.
- Warehouse club bundles. Costco often packages toys and games into multi-item bundles for the holidays. Check unit prices, because a "bundle" is not always cheaper per item.
Less likely to see a deal
- Whatever is in shortage. If a store cannot keep something on the shelf, it has no reason to discount it. The PS5 Pro is the clearest example this year. Sony lists it at $899.99, and as of October 18 the PlayStation Direct page showed it as "Currently Unavailable." Our PS5 Pro guide has the full story.
- Brand-new releases. The Nintendo Switch 2 lists at $499.99, and the Mario Kart World bundle at $549.99. Hardware this new and this wanted is not typically where stores cut price, though a bundle with a free game or a gift card is more plausible than a straight discount. See our Switch 2 holiday guide for details.
- Trading cards and blind boxes. Pokémon Elite Trainer Boxes and blind-box figures like Labubu are usually sold at list price and often limited by store allocation.
- Anything a reseller can flip. Scarce items attract resellers, and resellers set prices well above list. A "sale" at a marketplace seller is not a sale. More on this in our guide to beating resellers.
A rough guide by category
| Category | Chance of a real discount | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Large toy brands with lots of stock | Better | Retailers want volume and have inventory |
| Clothing, pajamas, slippers | Better | Frequent promotions; no NJ sales tax on clothing |
| Game accessories and older titles | Moderate | Common add-on discounts |
| Newest game consoles | Low | High demand, limited supply |
| PS5 Pro | Very low | Hard to find at list price at all |
| Pokémon cards, blind boxes | Low | Sold at list; limited by allocation |
A game plan for parents
A good Black Friday plan is mostly done before November 26. Here is a step-by-step approach that works for a busy New Jersey family.
Step 1: Write the list and set a ceiling
Write down each child's top three wants, then a firm budget per child. A list keeps you from buying something at 40% off that nobody asked for. It also helps when a store has a surprise sale, because you can check it against the list in seconds.
For each item, note the normal list price. You can find our verified list prices on the product pages, such as the LEGO Donkey Kong Arcade at $199.99. If a "deal" is not below the list price, it is not a deal.
Step 2: Sort the list into three piles
- Easy to find. You can wait for a sale and buy any time.
- Sometimes in stock. Worth watching, and worth buying at list price if it shows up.
- Hard to find. Do not wait for a sale. Buy at list price the moment you see it from a trustworthy seller.
The third pile is where parents lose the most time and money. If an item is genuinely scarce, a Black Friday discount probably will not arrive, and waiting only gives resellers more room.
Step 3: Set alerts now
Alerts do the watching for you. RestockPal is free: parents report what is on New Jersey shelves, the app pings people nearby, and it also checks some stores online automatically. You can follow the items on your list and get a notice when one turns up. Retailer apps can also send restock and price alerts, so use both.
If something you want is not on our site yet, you can ask us to track it. Our hot right now list shows what families are chasing at the moment.
Step 4: Take advantage of early online deals
Many retailers post deals online before the in-store event. Add items to your cart a few days ahead, so you are not entering addresses and payment details while a limited deal is counting down. Check that the seller is the store itself, not a third-party marketplace seller, before you buy.
Step 5: If you do go to stores, go in a smart order
If you want to see shelves in person, plan a route instead of wandering. A reasonable order for a New Jersey parent looks like this:
- Start with the store most likely to have your hard-to-find item. For toys, that usually means Target and Walmart. For video games and electronics, check Best Buy and GameStop.
- Then the warehouse club, if you are a member. Costco holiday toy tables can have bundles you will not see elsewhere.
- Finish with clothing stores like Kohl's and Macy's, since pajamas and outfits are tax-free in New Jersey.
You can browse every chain we cover on our New Jersey stores page. Call ahead before driving to any store for one specific item. Staff can often check a shelf or a back room quicker than you can drive there.
Thanksgiving and store hours
Are stores open on Thanksgiving 2026? We cannot confirm that for any chain yet, because the retailers have not published official 2026 hours as of October 18.
Here is what we do know, labeled by how solid it is:
- Last year (2025): Target, Walmart and Best Buy were all closed on Thanksgiving, according to ABC7.
- This year (2026), expected but unconfirmed: Parade reported in a July update that Target is expected to stay closed on Thursday, November 26 and open at 6 a.m. on Black Friday. That is an expectation, not a Target announcement. A store-hours listing on blackfriday.com also showed Walmart, Target and Best Buy as closed, but that page is undated, so treat it as a hint only.
Our advice is simple. Do not plan a Thanksgiving Day shopping trip until a store posts its own hours. Check the store's website or call the Monday before the holiday. We will update this section when hours are announced.
Mall hours are the same story. Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus publishes its regular hours (Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Sunday closed), but its Thanksgiving, Black Friday and December hours were not posted as of October 18. We also could not find American Dream's holiday hours.
Bergen County Sundays
If you live in or near Bergen County, Sunday shopping works differently, and the holidays make that more noticeable.
What the law says
Bergen County is the only county in New Jersey that still enforces Sunday "blue laws." According to the Township of Wyckoff, state law (N.J.S.A. 2A:171-5.8) prohibits Sunday sales of clothing and wearing apparel, building and lumber supplies, furniture, home, business and office furnishings, and household, business and office appliances.
Many other goods are allowed on Sundays, including food, drugs, gasoline, books, magazines, greeting cards, health and beauty aids, infant care products, florist items and candy.
Paramus is stricter
Paramus goes further than the county rule. Reporting summarized on Wikipedia says Paramus bans most Sunday work, with exceptions for grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies, hotels, restaurants and entertainment. Bergen County's own website confirms that Paramus strictly observes the blue laws, so major malls and most retail are closed on Sundays.
In practice, Westfield Garden State Plaza lists Sunday as closed on its official hours page. We assume the other Paramus malls, such as Paramus Park and Bergen Town Center, follow the same pattern. We did not confirm whether any Paramus mall plans Sunday exceptions for the 2026 holiday season, so check before you go.
We are not going to guess which individual stand-alone stores in Bergen County close on Sundays. The rules depend on both the product category and the town, and stores sometimes adjust. If a particular store matters to you, call it or check its posted hours.
The Sunday after Thanksgiving and December Sundays
The Sunday after Thanksgiving, November 29, 2026, is often a busy shopping day in most of the country. In Paramus, assume malls are closed. The same goes for all four December Sundays: December 6, 13, 20 and 27.
What does that mean for your plan?
- Fewer shopping days. Paramus stores lose a weekend day, so Saturdays get crowded. If you can, shop on a weekday evening or go early on Saturday.
- Do not leave a big item for the last Sunday. If your plan is "Sunday errands," shift it to Saturday or buy online.
- Use Sundays for online buying. Order for pickup on Sunday, then collect on Monday.
American Dream and the court case
American Dream, in East Rutherford, is also in Bergen County, and it has been operating retail on Sundays. Paramus sued American Dream in August 2025, arguing that its Sunday retail operation violates the county's blue laws. American Dream and the state agencies involved argue that it sits on state land and that Paramus has no standing to sue.
According to CoStar, a Superior Court judge heard arguments on a motion to dismiss on June 9, 2026, reserved judgment, and said he would issue an opinion shortly. We did not find any later report of a ruling, so we cannot say how the case turned out. There was no change in the law itself as of our check. If you plan to rely on American Dream's Sunday hours, confirm them directly before you go.
Sales tax and return windows
New Jersey sales tax
The NJ sales tax rate is 6.625% on most tangible personal property, according to the NJ Division of Taxation. On a $50 toy, that adds about $3.31. On a $499.99 console, it adds roughly $33.
Clothing and footwear for human use are exempt from New Jersey sales tax. That includes Halloween and dance costumes. There are exceptions, such as fur clothing, clothing accessories and sport or recreational equipment, so check before you assume an item is tax-free.
Toys and video game consoles are not part of the clothing exemption, and they are not otherwise exempt, so they are taxed at the general 6.625% rate for tangible goods.
One shopping tip follows from this. When a store offers a deal on pajamas, outfits or boots, remember there is no tax on top. A $40 sweater costs $40 at the register, while a $40 toy costs about $42.65.
Return windows
Holiday return policies are usually longer than normal ones, but we only have confirmed details for some stores, and policies for 2026 may still change:
- Amazon: Items bought from November 1 to December 31, 2026 can be returned through January 31, 2027. Apple-brand products have a shorter deadline, January 15, 2027. This comes from Amazon's seller help page, which has a year typo in one sentence but lists 2026 and 2027 dates.
- Walmart: Most eligible items bought from October 1 to December 31, 2026 can be returned through January 31, 2027, according to a seller-focused summary. Exceptions include wireless phones, protection plans, major appliances, food and some seasonal items.
- Target and Best Buy: Not confirmed for 2026. Last year, Target allowed most holiday purchases to be returned until January 24, 2026, with Apple products until January 8, 2026. Last year's pattern is not a promise for this year.
Shipping deadlines
If you shop online, these dates are your real deadlines. Delivery is not guaranteed, but these are the carriers' own recommended last days.
USPS (continental US, for delivery by December 25)
- Ground Advantage: Thursday, December 17
- First-Class Mail: Thursday, December 17
- Priority Mail: Friday, December 18
- Priority Mail Express: Saturday, December 19
These come from the USPS holiday shipping announcement of September 22, 2026. Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and international dates are earlier.
FedEx (for arrival by December 24)
- Ground Economy: Tuesday, December 15
- Ground and Home Delivery: Thursday, December 17 for a five-day transit, down to Wednesday, December 23 for one day
- Express Saver: Monday, December 21
- 2Day: Tuesday, December 22
- Overnight: Wednesday, December 23
These dates are relayed by the shipping software company Saltbox from FedEx's 2026 peak schedule. We did not open FedEx's own document, so double-check on FedEx's site.
UPS
UPS had not published a full set of 2026 last-ship dates by service as of our check. Its holiday page does say UPS is closed for pickup and delivery on Thanksgiving, November 26, and on Christmas Day. For anything shipped by UPS, look at the order confirmation for the estimated delivery date rather than assuming.
FAQ
When is Black Friday 2026?
Black Friday 2026 is Friday, November 27. Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, and Cyber Monday is Monday, November 30.
Have stores announced their Black Friday 2026 deals?
Not yet. As of October 16, Amazon, Walmart, Target and Best Buy had not announced their own Black Friday 2026 dates, and we found no announcement as of October 18. We will update this page when they do.
Are stores open on Thanksgiving 2026?
It is not confirmed. Target, Walmart and Best Buy were closed on Thanksgiving in 2025, and Target is expected to stay closed in 2026, but that is not an official announcement. Check each store's own hours the week before.
Will the PS5 Pro or Switch 2 be on sale on Black Friday?
We cannot say, because deals are not announced. The PS5 Pro is listed at $899.99 and is hard to find, so a discount seems unlikely. The Switch 2 lists at $499.99. In both cases, buying at list price from a trusted store is safer than waiting for a deal that may not come.
Which stores close on Sundays in Bergen County?
Bergen County law bars Sunday sales of clothing, furniture, appliances, building supplies and home or office furnishings. Paramus is stricter, and its major malls, including Garden State Plaza, are closed on Sundays. Rules vary by town and store, so confirm with the store. American Dream in East Rutherford has been open for Sunday retail, and a court case about that is pending.
What is the New Jersey sales tax on toys, and is clothing taxed?
The New Jersey rate is 6.625% on most goods, and that includes toys and game consoles. Clothing and footwear for people are exempt, including costumes, with some exceptions.
What is the last day to ship gifts to arrive by Christmas?
For USPS, the last day is Thursday, December 17 for Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail, Friday, December 18 for Priority Mail, and Saturday, December 19 for Priority Mail Express. FedEx and UPS dates differ by service, so check their sites.
Can I return a holiday gift in January?
Often yes. Amazon lists January 31, 2027 for most items bought between November 1 and December 31, 2026, and Walmart lists the same end date for most eligible items. Target and Best Buy have not confirmed 2026 policies.
Black Friday goes better with a list and a calm plan than with a 5 a.m. dash. For more ideas on what to buy, head back to our 2026 holiday gift guide, and you can track the toys on your list for free in the RestockPal app.
Sources
- koupon.ai, Black Friday 2026 dates (retailers had not announced as of Oct 16) (2026-10-17)
- UPS holiday shipping schedule (Thanksgiving Nov 26, closures) (2026-10-12)
- Target press release, Target Circle Deal Days (2026-09-15)
- Parade, Target Thanksgiving hours (expected closed) (2026-07-17)
- blackfriday.com store hours (undated) (undated)
- ABC7, What stores are open/closed Thanksgiving 2025 (2025)
- TheStreet, GameStop PS5 Pro pricing before GTA 6 (GTA VI Nov 19) (2026-10-08)
- PlayStation.Blog, new price changes for PS5, PS5 Pro and Portal (2026-03-27)
- PlayStation Direct, PS5 hardware (Currently Unavailable) (2026-10-18)
- Township of Wyckoff, Why is Sunday shopping prohibited in Bergen County? (undated)
- Bergen County NJ, Downtown & Retail (undated)
- Wikipedia, Blue laws in the United States (Paramus) (accessed 2026-10-18)
- Westfield Garden State Plaza opening hours (2026-10-18)
- CoStar, Judge delays New Jersey blue laws ruling (2026-06-09)
- NJ Division of Taxation, Sales and Use Tax (6.625%) (accessed 2026-10-18)
- NJ Division of Taxation, New Jersey Sales Tax Guide (ST-4), clothing exemption (Rev. 07/22)
- USPS, 2026 holiday mailing and shipping dates (2026-09-22)
- Saltbox, Holiday Shipping Deadlines 2026 (FedEx dates) (2026-10-05)
- Amazon Seller Central, Extended Holiday Returns policy (2026-10-18)
- GeekSeller, Walmart holiday return policy 2026 (2026-09-01)
- CBS Philadelphia, holiday extended return policies (Target 2025) (2025-12)
