Presidents' Day sales: Everything you need to know

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Presidents’ Day isn’t just a winter weekend. The Feb. 16 holiday is also one of the first major sales of the new year. Typically, retailers use the holiday to offer discounts across tech, home, and more, especially on larger items like mattresses and furniture, ahead of spring. It’s a popular time to shop big (and small), if you know what you’re looking for.

Also: The top 5 Presidents’ Day deals I’d buy right now

I’ve been covering deals and shopping events at ZDNET for several years, and I know good offers when I see them. I’m also keen to share deals on expert-tested and reviewed products that ZDNET’s staff has meticulously covered.

Here’s everything I recommend knowing about upcoming Presidents’ Day sales, including all the details on when to expect holiday savings to start rolling in and how to maximize your cash.

When is Presidents’ Day 2026?

Presidents’ Day is always the third Monday in February. This year, the holiday falls on Feb. 16. The long weekend stretches from Feb. 14- 16, notably following shortly after Valentine’s Day.

When are Presidents’ Day sales available?

Like most holidays, sales and savings events will likely start cropping up a few weeks to a week before the actual holiday. Since Presidents’ Day closely follows Valentine’s Day, you’ll likely start to see some overlapped savings opportunities as early as the first week in February. Expect the bulk of the best offers to fall during the week of Presidents’ Day and stretch through the weekend (and potentially linger for a few days afterwards).

Where are the best Presidents’ Day sales to shop?

Presidents’ Day sales will likely occur across retailers large and small, in-store and online. We’ve seen large savings offered at retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, Target, Amazon, and more.

What are the best things to buy during Presidents’ Day sales?

It’s likely that tons of items will go on sale, including TVs, laptops, smartphones, home gadgets and appliances, furniture, mattresses, and more. Not all discounts will be as great as others (or even worth your time). That’s why we’ll be vetting our favorite Presidents’ Day offers — especially for core tech categories we’ve extensively covered.

We also anticipate seeing seasonal discounts due to the weather. Winter items may begin to see price drops as we inch closer to spring (even if that’s hard to believe while much of the US is experiencing historic cold temperatures). Retailers want to offload old and soon-to-be out-of-season stock.

Should I wait to shop?

Depending on what you’re looking to purchase, you may want to consider waiting for upcoming spring sale events, like Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, which debuted in 2024. There’s no confirmation it will be returning this year, but if it does, it’s likely you’ll see discounts on tablets, laptops, and other electronics in the next couple months. Plus, with new product launches heating up in the spring, you may be able to snag better savings then. If you’re mainly looking to shop furniture, mattresses, and more home gear, now is a great time.

What shouldn’t I buy during Presidents’ Day sales?

Unless you have to replace something as soon as possible, it’s not worth rushing to snag certain products during the Presidents’ Day weekend. Think about upcoming spring and summer products, like outdoor furniture, pool gear, camping and travel gear, etc. While you may be able to find some deals on these products, you’re better off waiting to scour sales later in the year, closer to spring and summer.