Best Memorial Day Sales and Deals 2026

Memorial Day weekend has evolved into one of the year’s biggest shopping events, rivaling Black Friday for deep discounts across nearly every retail category. As we approach Memorial Day 2026, scheduled for Monday, May 25th, savvy shoppers are preparing to take advantage of spectacular savings on everything from major appliances to summer essentials. This comprehensive guide reveals where to find the best deals and how to maximize your savings this holiday weekend.

Why Memorial Day Is Prime Shopping Time

Retailers view Memorial Day as the unofficial kickoff to summer, making it the perfect moment to clear out spring inventory and promote seasonal items. This convergence creates exceptional opportunities for consumers. Major retailers compete aggressively for your attention, often extending sales for up to two weeks around the holiday. Unlike Black Friday’s doorbusters that vanish in minutes, Memorial Day sales typically offer more inventory and longer availability.

Additionally, with summer approaching, retailers stock up on outdoor furniture, grills, gardening supplies, and warm-weather clothing, all prime categories for significant markdowns. For those planning Memorial Day celebrations, our BBQ recipes guide pairs perfectly with the grill deals you’ll find during this sale period.

When Memorial Day Sales Start

Most major retailers launch their Memorial Day sales approximately two weeks before the holiday. For 2026, expect sales to begin around Thursday, May 14th, running through Wednesday, May 27th. However, many retailers now offer “early access” sales starting even earlier for email subscribers or loyalty members.

Key Sale Timeline:

Early May: Preview sales and early access for members
May 14-15: Official sale launch at most major retailers
May 22-25: Peak weekend deals
May 26-27: Extended sales and final markdowns

Some online deals may start as early as the first week of May, so bookmark your favorite retailer websites and sign up for email alerts to catch the earliest discounts. For a complete calendar of Memorial Day events and activities, visit our Memorial Day 2026 event schedule.

Top Retail Categories for Memorial Day Savings

Mattresses and Bedding

Memorial Day has become synonymous with mattress sales, with discounts ranging from 30-60% off. Virtually every mattress brand participates, from budget options to luxury models.

Expected Deals:

DreamCloud: Up to 60% off hybrid mattresses
Saatva: Save up to $600 on select models
Casper, Purple, Tempur-Pedic: Typically 20-40% off

Don’t overlook bedding accessories. Pillows, sheets, mattress protectors, and weighted blankets often see deep discounts during this period. This is the ideal time to upgrade your entire sleep setup at once.

Home Appliances

Major appliances see some of the year’s best discounts during Memorial Day sales. If you’ve been postponing a refrigerator, washer, dryer, or dishwasher purchase, this is your moment.

Where to Shop:

Best Buy: Typically offers up to 50% off major appliances with possible additional savings of $50 for every $500 spent
Home Depot: Look for appliance bundles and free installation on select models
Lowe’s: Similar to Home Depot with competitive appliance pricing and installation deals

Expect savings on brands like LG, Samsung, Whirlpool, GE, and Maytag. Many retailers also bundle kitchen appliances for additional savings when you purchase multiple items together.

Outdoor Furniture and Grills

As temperatures rise, outdoor living spaces become priorities. Memorial Day brings exceptional deals on patio furniture, grills, and outdoor entertaining essentials.

Home Depot & Lowe’s:

Patio furniture: Up to 60% off on dining sets, conversation sets, and loungers
Grills: Expect 30-50% off on Nexgrill, Masterbuilt, Weber, and Char-Griller models
Outdoor decor: Umbrellas, fire pits, and lighting at reduced prices

Wayfair:

Outdoor furniture and decor typically 40-70% off
Free shipping on most orders
Way Day event usually coincides with Memorial Day period

If you’re hosting a Memorial Day gathering, these deals help you create the perfect outdoor entertaining space. Check out our Memorial Day Parades 2026 for more hosting tips.

Gardening and Lawn Care

Late May is ideal for planting, making Memorial Day perfect for gardening supply purchases.

Lowe’s:

Mulch: $2 per bag (typically $4.98)
Miracle-Gro garden soil: $2.50 per bag
Hanging baskets: 2 for $10
Perennials: Around $7.50 each

Home Depot:

Similar mulch pricing at $2.50 per bag
Bonnie plants: $2.50-3.00 each
Seeds and gardening tools at reduced prices

Stock up now to save significantly on your entire season’s gardening needs.

Electronics and Technology

While not as dramatic as Black Friday, Memorial Day brings solid electronics deals, particularly on TVs, tablets, and smart home devices.

Expected Savings:

4K and OLED TVs: 20-40% off at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart
iPads and tablets: $50-100 off select models
Apple products: Rare discounts of $20-50 on AirPods, Apple Watch
Smart home devices: Ring, Nest, Echo devices often 30-50% off

Amazon: Runs a competitive Memorial Day sale with Prime member exclusives. Even without Prime Day timing, Amazon typically offers thousands of daily deals throughout the Memorial Day period.

Clothing and Fashion

Memorial Day marks the transition to summer wardrobes, prompting major clothing sales.

Department Stores:

Macy’s: Typically 30-50% off sitewide with additional coupons
Nordstrom: Half-Yearly Sale often overlaps with Memorial Day
JCPenney: Deep discounts on summer clothing and accessories

Online Retailers:

Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters: Extra 30-40% off sale items
Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic: 40-60% off select styles
Under Armour: Additional 31% off with code

Update your summer wardrobe while prices are low, especially for swimwear, shorts, sundresses, and lightweight activewear.

Home Improvement

Beyond appliances, general home improvement supplies see significant Memorial Day markdowns.

Home Depot & Lowe’s:

Paint: Buy-one-get-one 50% off on premium brands
Power tools: 20-40% off DeWalt, Milwaukee, Ryobi
Hardware and building materials at reduced prices
LED lighting and ceiling fans discounted

This is prime time for tackling summer home projects at reduced costs.

Retailer-Specific Sale Highlights

Amazon Memorial Day Sale

Amazon’s Memorial Day event rivals regular sales throughout the year. Prime members get early access to thousands of deals across all categories.

What to Expect:

Lightning deals change hourly
Up to 35% off in most categories
Competitive pricing on brand-name products
Excellent deals on Amazon devices (Echo, Fire tablets, Ring)

Pro Tip: Use price tracking tools like CamelCamelCamel to ensure you’re getting genuine discounts.

Target Memorial Day Deals

Target typically offers:

Up to 30% off clothing and swimwear
Up to 50% off patio furniture and outdoor essentials
Additional savings with Target Circle membership
REDcard holders save an extra 5%

Walmart Memorial Day Savings

Walmart competes aggressively with both online and in-store deals:

Rollback pricing on thousands of items
Special deals on summer essentials
Price matching guarantee
Free shipping on orders over $35

Specialty Retailers

REI Anniversary Sale: REI’s biggest sale of the year often coincides with Memorial Day, offering up to 30% off outdoor gear, with members receiving additional benefits.

Bed Bath & Beyond: Bedding, bath items, and home goods typically 30-50% off with coupons.

Wayfair: Massive furniture and home decor sale with free shipping on most orders.

Shopping Strategies to Maximize Savings

1. Compare Prices Across Multiple Retailers

Don’t assume the first deal you see is the best. Major items like appliances, TVs, and furniture should be comparison-shopped across at least three retailers. Use price comparison websites or browser extensions that automatically check prices across stores.

2. Stack Discounts When Possible

Many retailers allow you to combine sales with:

Store credit cards (typically 5-15% additional savings)
Email signup discounts
Loyalty program rewards
Manufacturer rebates

A 40% sale plus a 10% credit card discount can result in substantial savings on large purchases.

3. Check Return Policies

Memorial Day deals are generally solid, but verify return policies before purchasing. Some sale items may be final sale or have limited return windows. This is especially important for:

Mattresses (many offer 100+ night trials)
Major appliances
Outdoor furniture
Electronics

4. Sign Up for Emails Early

Retailers reward email subscribers with:

Early access to sales (sometimes 24-48 hours early)
Exclusive coupon codes
Additional percentage-off promotions

Subscribe to your favorite stores’ email lists by early May to maximize benefits.

5. Use Browser Extensions and Apps

Install browser extensions like:

Honey: Automatically applies coupon codes
Capital One Shopping: Compares prices across stores
Rakuten: Earns cash back on purchases

The Krazy Coupon Lady app aggregates the best deals across retailers and sends alerts for items on your wishlist.

6. Consider Refurbished and Open-Box Items

For electronics and appliances, refurbished or open-box options from reputable sources can provide additional savings beyond already-reduced prices. Best Buy’s open-box program and Amazon Renewed offer quality products at steep discounts.

Items Worth Waiting For vs. Buying Now

Buy During Memorial Day:

Mattresses and bedding
Major appliances
Outdoor furniture and grills
Gardening supplies
Summer clothing
Home improvement supplies

Consider Waiting For:

Latest-model smartphones (better deals during fall launches)
Winter clothing (wait for end-of-season clearance)
Small kitchen appliances (better during November/December)
Toys (wait for Black Friday/Cyber Monday)

Military Discounts

In honor of Memorial Day’s military significance, many retailers offer additional discounts for active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. These stack with sale prices for even better deals.

Retailers with Military Discounts:

Lowe’s: Everyday 10% military discount
Home Depot: Year-round military discount program
Target: Special Memorial Day military appreciation
Apple: Military pricing on select products

Always ask about military discounts and have appropriate ID ready. Learn more about honoring our military on our Memorial Day history .

Online vs. In-Store Shopping

Online Advantages:

Shop from home convenience
Easier price comparison
Often better inventory selection
No crowds
Free shipping promotions

In-Store Advantages:

See/touch products before buying
Immediate possession (no shipping wait)
Easier returns for large items
Clearance sections with unadvertised deals
Floor model discounts

For large items like appliances and furniture, visiting stores lets you assess quality, but purchasing online often provides better deals.

What Makes a “Good” Memorial Day Deal?

Not all advertised sales represent genuine value. Here’s how to identify truly worthwhile deals:

Good Deals:

30% or more off regular price (not inflated “compare at” prices)
Discounts on items you’ve been tracking that rarely go on sale
Bundle deals that save more than buying individually
Competitive pricing verified through comparison shopping

Skip These:

Modest 10-15% discounts on already overpriced items
“Sales” that match regular prices from weeks before
Deals requiring excessive hoops to jump through
Items with terrible reviews, regardless of discount

Use price history tools to verify that “sale” prices are genuinely reduced from typical selling prices.

Don’t Forget the Meaning

While Memorial Day shopping has become a major commercial event, remember the holiday’s true purpose: honoring military members who died in service to our country. Consider:

Shopping at veteran-owned businesses
Donating a portion of savings to military charities
Attending a Memorial Day ceremony in your community
Observing the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 PM

Final Shopping Checklist

Before Memorial Day arrives, prepare yourself:

✓ Make a list of needed items ✓ Subscribe to retailer email lists ✓ Download shopping apps and browser extensions ✓ Set price alerts for high-priority purchases ✓ Check return policies ✓ Verify military discount eligibility ✓ Plan shopping strategy (online vs. in-store) ✓ Set a budget to avoid impulse purchases

Conclusion

Memorial Day 2026 promises exceptional savings across virtually every retail category. With proper preparation and strategic shopping, you can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on essential purchases. Start monitoring prices early, compare across retailers, and don’t rush into deals that seem too good to be true.

For more Memorial Day resources, including party planning ideas, recipes, and local event information, visit MemorialDay2026.com. Whether you’re shopping for your home, planning a celebration, or simply enjoying the long weekend, make the most of Memorial Day 2026!

Best Memorial Day Sales and Deals 2026: Your Complete Shopping Guide