What this checklist does
It lists the dates of the 2026 holiday season that matter for your money, shows how many days are left from today and lets you tick off each one. Every date links to a page that helps you get ready, from the Thanksgiving dinner budget to the year-end tax checklist.
The dates
- Thursday, November 26: Thanksgiving Day, a federal holiday (OPM).
- Friday, November 27: Black Friday. Saturday, November 28: Small Business Saturday. Monday, November 30: Cyber Monday. Tuesday, December 1: Giving Tuesday.
- Monday, December 7: last day of Medicare Open Enrollment (Medicare.gov).
- Wednesday, December 9: the U.S. Postal Service's last recommended day to mail First-Class and Priority Mail to other countries and to military APO/FPO/DPO addresses.
- Tuesday, December 15: enroll on HealthCare.gov by this day for coverage that starts January 1, 2027 (HealthCare.gov).
- Thursday, December 17: USPS Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail. Friday, December 18: Priority Mail. Saturday, December 19: Priority Mail Express. These are the recommended last days for the contiguous United States (USPS).
- Friday, December 25: Christmas Day, a federal holiday.
- Thursday, December 31: last day for 2026 required minimum distributions, 401(k) contributions from 2026 pay and charitable gifts that count for 2026 (IRS).
- Friday, January 1, 2027: New Year's Day, a federal holiday.
- Friday, January 15, 2027: fourth-quarter 2026 estimated tax payment due (IRS) and the last day of HealthCare.gov Open Enrollment.
Tips
- Mail early: the USPS dates are recommended last days, not guarantees. Alaska, Hawaii and other services have their own dates on our holiday shipping deadlines page.
- Some states run their own health insurance marketplace with different dates: check your state's site if it does not use HealthCare.gov.
- Not every date applies to everyone: required minimum distributions apply only to people who must take them, and only some people pay estimated tax.
- See every tax date of the year on our tax and money deadlines page.
Frequently asked questions
When is Black Friday 2026?
Friday, November 27, 2026, the day after Thanksgiving. Cyber Monday is November 30 and Giving Tuesday is December 1.
What is the last day to mail Christmas gifts with USPS?
For the contiguous United States, the Postal Service recommends December 17 for Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail, December 18 for Priority Mail and December 19 for Priority Mail Express.
How is "days left" counted?
From today's date on your device to each date. A date that has passed is marked as passed.
Are my ticks saved?
Only in this browser on this device, so they are still there when you come back. Nothing is sent to us. Use "Clear my ticks" to erase them.