Is Black Friday Better Than Boxing Day?

For years, Canadian shoppers have debated one big question: Is Black Friday better than Boxing Day? These two major shopping events dominate the retail calendar in Canada, offering some of the year’s deepest discounts. Black Friday, which originates from the United States, falls on the day after American Thanksgiving in late November. Boxing Day, on the other hand, is a longstanding Canadian tradition that happens on December 26th, right after Christmas.

Both sales attract millions of shoppers, both online and in-store, but each has its own strengths and drawbacks. To answer whether Black Friday is truly better than Boxing Day, it’s important to explore their history, shopping culture in Canada, typical deals, and what today’s shoppers can expect.

The Rise of Black Friday in Canada

Until about a decade ago, Black Friday wasn’t widely celebrated in Canada. Canadian shoppers would often cross the border to the U.S. to take advantage of massive discounts at American retailers. This trend created pressure on Canadian stores, which began offering their own Black Friday promotions to keep shoppers from leaving the country. If you’re curious about how long is left until the big day, check out How Many Days Until Black Friday? for the exact countdown.

Now, Black Friday in Canada has become just as significant as in the U.S. Major retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, Canadian Tire, Amazon CA, and Hudson’s Bay offer blockbuster sales on electronics, home appliances, fashion, and more. With the rise of e-commerce, Black Friday in Canada has grown even bigger, allowing Canadians to score deals from the comfort of home without dealing with long border lineups or chaotic in-store crowds.

Boxing Day: A Canadian Tradition

Boxing Day has a much longer history in Canada. Traditionally, it was the day when people gave gifts to workers and those in need, but it evolved into a retail shopping holiday in the 20th century. For decades, December 26th was the most important sales day of the year for Canadians.

Shopping malls across the country would open their doors early, and crowds would line up in the cold for once-a-year price drops. Boxing Day was seen as the chance to clear out holiday inventory, making it a prime time to find bargains on clothing, electronics, and post-Christmas essentials. Even today, Boxing Day is recognized as a statutory holiday in some provinces, though most retailers remain open with major promotions.

What Kinds of Deals Can Canadians Expect?

When comparing Black Friday vs. Boxing Day in Canada, the type of discounts available plays a major role.

  • Black Friday Deals: Retailers use Black Friday to launch the holiday shopping season. Canadians can expect heavy discounts on big-ticket items such as TVs, laptops, smartphones, gaming consoles, kitchen appliances, and even fashion. It’s also the time when many retailers roll out online-exclusive offers, making it easier to shop without braving crowds.

  • Boxing Day Deals: Boxing Day traditionally focuses on clearing out remaining holiday stock. Electronics and appliances are still popular, but shoppers also find deals on furniture, clothing, and seasonal items like holiday dĂ©cor. Discounts can sometimes be deeper because retailers want to make space for the new year's inventory.

While both days offer significant savings, Black Friday tends to have a wider selection and newer items, while Boxing Day often delivers clearance level pricing.

Shopping Habits of Canadians

Canadian shopping culture has shifted over the past decade. A growing number of Canadians prefer to shop during Black Friday instead of waiting until Boxing Day. According to surveys, many shoppers like the timing of Black Friday falls before the holidays, giving them the chance to purchase Christmas gifts at discounted prices.

On the other hand, Boxing Day still has loyal fans. For bargain hunters who don’t mind waiting until after Christmas, it’s an opportunity to snag steep markdowns. Younger Canadians, especially Gen Z and Millennials, tend to favour Black Friday for tech and online deals, while some older shoppers stick to Boxing Day traditions.

Online vs. In-Store Shopping in Canada

The debate of Is Black Friday better than Boxing Day also depends on how Canadians like to shop.

  • Black Friday Online Sales: Many Canadian retailers, including Amazon CA, Best Buy, and Walmart, release online-only discounts days before the actual event. This trend exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic and remains popular today. Canadians can often avoid crowds by shopping early and online.

  • Boxing Day In-Store Rush: Boxing Day has historically been more about in-person shopping. Canadians bundle up, line up outside malls, and rush for clearance bins. While online Boxing Day sales exist, the excitement has always centred around the in-store hunt.

Today, both events are available online and in-store, but the experiences differ. Black Friday is about early holiday prep, while Boxing Day feels more like an end-of-season clearance event.

Which One Offers Better Value?

So, is Black Friday better than Boxing Day in Canada? It depends on what you’re looking for:

  • Best for Christmas Shopping: Black Friday wins. Canadians can buy gifts ahead of the holidays and take advantage of early shipping.

  • Best for Bargain Hunters: Boxing Day wins. Steeper markdowns and clearance pricing can make it worth waiting until after Christmas.

  • Best for Tech and Electronics: Black Friday is generally stronger, with retailers competing heavily in this category.

  • Best for Apparel and Seasonal Goods: Boxing Day is often cheaper, especially for winter clothing and leftover holiday stock.

Many Canadians shop on both days, using Black Friday to get gifts and Boxing Day to scoop up clearance bargains.

Black Friday and Boxing Day in Canada: 2024 Recap

Looking back, 2024 was a record year for Canadian sales. Black Friday brought massive online participation, with Amazon CA and Walmart Canada reporting their strongest sales ever on electronics and toys. Best Buy Canada slashed prices on laptops and AirPods, while Hudson’s Bay and Canadian Tire offered big discounts on home goods.

Boxing Day 2024 also delivered strong numbers. Canadians lined up at malls for clearance TVs, discounted fashion, and seasonal goods. Online retailers extended deals into Boxing Week, making it easier for those who skipped the crowds to still grab bargains.

What to Expect in 2025

Looking ahead, Canadian shoppers can expect even more competitive pricing in 2025. Retail experts predict:

  • Black Friday 2025 will feature earlier and longer promotions, with deals starting in late October. Electronics, smart home devices, and toys are expected to lead the discounts.

  • Boxing Day 2025 will continue to be strong, with retailers pushing clearance deals on clothing, home dĂ©cor, and remaining holiday goods. Extended “Boxing Week” sales will make online shopping more convenient than ever.

With inflation on shoppers’ minds, both events will likely highlight affordability, loyalty rewards, and bundle offers.

Tips for Canadian Shoppers

If you want to maximize your savings, here are some strategies for shopping both Black Friday and Boxing Day in Canada:

  • Start early: Many Canadian Black Friday deals go live days in advance.

  • Compare prices: Use Canadian deal websites to track which retailer offers the lowest cost.

  • Shop online for convenience: Avoid the Boxing Day crowds by shopping digitally.

  • Look for extended warranties: Especially for electronics, which are heavily discounted.

  • Use loyalty points: Retailers like Canadian Tire Money, PC Optimum, or Aeroplan points can stretch your budget further.

  • Get extra discounts with coupons & promo codes: Before you check out, browse Saving Says CA to discover the latest coupons and promo codes for your favourite Canadian retailers.

Conclusion: Is Black Friday Better Than Boxing Day?

So, is Black Friday better than Boxing Day? For many Canadians, the answer is yes, especially if the goal is to shop for Christmas gifts, tech gadgets, and popular holiday must-haves. Black Friday’s timing, wider selection, and strong online presence make it more appealing in today’s digital-first shopping culture.

That said, Boxing Day remains a beloved Canadian tradition, offering unbeatable clearance prices and the thrill of in-store shopping. For those willing to wait until after Christmas, it’s still one of the best times to score a deal.

In reality, the smartest Canadian shoppers take advantage of both. Black Friday is perfect for gifts and gadgets, while Boxing Day is ideal for clearance bargains. Together, they form Canada’s ultimate shopping season, one that continues to grow in scale, excitement, and savings each year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is Black Friday better than Boxing Day in Canada?

It depends on what you’re shopping for. Black Friday is better for Christmas gifts, tech, and early deals, while Boxing Day is stronger for clearance bargains after the holidays.

Q. Do Canadian retailers offer the same Black Friday deals as the U.S.?

Not always. Canadian Black Friday sales are competitive, but some deals may differ from U.S. retailers. Still, major stores like Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon CA offer similar discounts.

Q. Are Boxing Day discounts deeper than Black Friday in Canada?

Yes, often. Boxing Day is about clearing inventory, so you’ll see bigger markdowns on clothing, seasonal items, and leftover holiday stock compared to Black Friday.

Q. Can I shop both Black Friday and Boxing Day online in Canada?

Absolutely. While Boxing Day was once more in-store focused, both events now have strong online deals, with many retailers extending them into “Black Friday Week” or “Boxing Week.”

Q. How can Canadians save extra during these sales?

Along with price matching and loyalty rewards, you can find additional savings by using coupons and promo codes from Saving Says CA before checkout.