Boxing Day sales 2026: when they start and what to buy
Boxing Day falls on Saturday 26 December 2026, but the sales start earlier than that. Here's the timing, the best categories, and what to know about returns.
Updated 27 September 2026 · By SnagList, Sydney
Boxing Day sales
When do Boxing Day sales start?
Boxing Day itself is Saturday 26 December 2026. Online, lots of stores open their sales on Christmas Eve or Christmas night, so you can often shop from the couch before the shops open. The Click Frenzy calendar lists Boxing Day sales running 24–31 December 2026, and many continue into early January.
What's worth buying on Boxing Day
- Clothing and shoes: end-of-year clearance is often the deepest of the year. Popular sizes go first.
- Homewares, bedding and kitchen: strong discounts, especially on brands that rarely go on sale.
- Christmas decorations: heavily reduced straight after Christmas, if you have room to store them.
- Tech: mixed. Clearance models can be great, but many tech prices were lower at Black Friday.
Is Boxing Day 2026 a public holiday?
Yes. Boxing Day is Saturday 26 December 2026, and because it falls on a weekend NSW adds an extra public holiday on Monday 28 December (NSW Government). Other states set their own substitute days. Store opening hours can change over the long weekend, so check before you head out. Online sales run as normal.
Black Friday or Boxing Day: which is better?
| Category | Better sale | Why |
|---|---|---|
| TVs, laptops, headphones | Black Friday | Brands push their biggest tech cuts in late November. |
| Clothes and shoes | Boxing Day | End-of-season clearance goes deeper. |
| Homewares and bedding | Boxing Day | Stores clear stock before the new year. |
| Christmas gifts | Black Friday | Arrives in time for Christmas. |
| Clearance tech | Either | Old models can hit their lowest price on Boxing Day. |
Want tech before Christmas? Read our Black Friday 2026 guide. Missed both? The next big one is EOFY in June.
Where to shop the Boxing Day sales
Most big Australian retailers run Boxing Day sales, including department stores, fashion sites and electronics chains. Each store sets its own dates, so check their sites from Christmas Eve. See our list of Australian stores for quick links.
Amazon Australia usually runs end-of-year deals too. If you're after a specific product, these buying guides help you pick the right model before prices drop:
Waiting on something specific? Set a free price drop alert and we'll email you when a deal we track matches.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Returns and refunds on sale items
Under Australian Consumer Law, stores don't have to refund you if you simply change your mind, sale or no sale, though many choose to. If an item is faulty or doesn't match its description, your consumer guarantees still apply even if you bought it at a discount. The ACCC's consumer rights pages explain the details.
Tips for Boxing Day
- Add items to your cart on Christmas Eve so you can check out fast when prices drop.
- Know your sizes for each brand. Exchanges get harder once stock runs out.
- Check the "was" price against what the item really sold for. Try our deal checker.
Common questions
When do Boxing Day sales start in 2026?
Boxing Day is Saturday 26 December 2026. Many stores start online on Christmas Eve or Christmas night, and the Click Frenzy calendar lists Boxing Day sales running 24–31 December.
When do Boxing Day sales end?
Most run for about a week, into early January, though popular sizes and models sell out in the first few days. Each store sets its own end date.
Can I return something I bought on sale?
Stores don't have to give refunds for change of mind, even outside a sale, but many do. If a product is faulty, you still have your rights under Australian Consumer Law, whether it was on sale or not.
Is Boxing Day 2026 a public holiday?
Yes. Boxing Day falls on Saturday 26 December 2026. In NSW there's also an additional public holiday on Monday 28 December because Boxing Day lands on a weekend. Other states have their own rules, so check your state government's public holiday list.
Is Black Friday or Boxing Day better for deals?
For tech like TVs, laptops and headphones, Black Friday (27 November 2026) is usually better. For clothes, shoes, homewares and bedding, Boxing Day clearance is often the deeper discount.
What should I buy on Boxing Day?
Clothes, shoes, homewares and bedding are usually the strongest categories. Tech is often cheaper at Black Friday, unless it's a clearance model.
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