Last updated: January 2, 2026
TL;DR
- January: Post-holiday clearance, fitness equipment, home organization.
- May: Memorial Day sale (up to 70% off appliances, outdoor furniture).
- July-August: Summer clearance, back-to-school deals.
- November: Holiday Savings Event, Black Friday, Cyber Monday (biggest deals).
- Pro tip: Shop on Tuesdays-Thursdays around 11 AM for best stock and fewer crowds.
This is part of our Costco Price Tracker Guide. Also see: How to Set Up Price Drop Alerts and How to Check Price History.
2026 Costco Sales Calendar
Costco's sales follow predictable patterns. Here's the complete annual calendar:
January: New Year Clearance
Dates: January 2-31, 2026
What's on sale:
- Holiday merchandise clearance: 50-75% off decorations, gift sets
- Fitness equipment: 20-40% off treadmills, weights, home gym gear
- Home organization: Storage solutions, closet organizers
- Winter apparel: Coats, sweaters marked down to make room for spring
Pro tip: This is the best time to buy holiday decorations for next year at deep discounts.
February: Super Bowl & Valentine's
Key dates: Super Bowl weekend, Valentine's Day
What's on sale:
- TVs: Major discounts for Super Bowl viewing
- Party supplies: Snacks, beverages, entertaining essentials
- Chocolates & flowers: Valentine's inventory appears
March-April: Spring Clearance
What's on sale:
- Winter clearance: 25-50% off remaining winter apparel, seasonal decor
- Early outdoor: Patio furniture, grills start appearing at regular prices
- Electronics: Discontinued models marked down
- Easter items: Candy, baskets, spring decorations
May: Memorial Day Event
Dates: May 15-26, 2026 (expected)
Discounts: Up to 70% off
What's on sale:
- Home appliances: Major discounts on refrigerators, washers, dryers
- Outdoor furniture: Patio sets, umbrellas, outdoor dining
- Grills & BBQ: Gas grills, smokers, accessories
- Mattresses: Traditional Memorial Day mattress sales
- Seasonal decor: Summer decorating items
Pro tip: This is one of the best times to buy appliances all year.
June-July: Summer Sales
Key dates: July 4th weekend, mid-July event
What's on sale:
- Summer essentials: Pool supplies, outdoor toys, camping gear
- Grilling supplies: Independence Day promotions
- Outdoor clothing: Swimwear, shorts, casual wear
- Travel accessories: Luggage, travel-sized items
August: Back-to-School & Summer Clearance
What's on sale:
- School supplies: Notebooks, backpacks, lunch gear
- Electronics: Laptops, tablets for students
- Dorm essentials: Bedding, storage, small appliances
- Summer clearance: Patio furniture at 30-50% off
- Clothing: Summer apparel marked down
Pro tip: Buy patio furniture now for next year—deepest discounts of the year.
September: Labor Day Event
What's on sale:
- Appliances: Another major appliance sale
- Mattresses: Traditional Labor Day discounts
- End-of-summer clearance: Final markdowns on outdoor items
- Fall preview: New seasonal items arriving
October: Early Holiday Savings
Dates: October 31 - November 16, 2026 (Early Season Event)
What's on sale:
- Halloween: Candy, costumes, decorations
- Early holiday deals: Preview of Black Friday items
- Gift items: Early bird shopping opportunities
November: Holiday Savings Event (Biggest Sale)
Key dates:
- Holiday Savings Event: November 17 - December 1
- Thanksgiving (online only): November 27
- Black Friday: November 28
- Cyber Monday: December 1
What's on sale:
- Electronics: TVs, laptops, tablets, gaming consoles
- Appliances: Best prices of the year on major appliances
- Jewelry: Diamonds, watches at significant discounts
- Toys: Popular toys and games
- Gift sets: Food, beauty, and home gift collections
Pro tip: Warehouses are closed Thanksgiving Day; online-only deals that day.
December: Holiday & Clearance
What's on sale:
- Early month: Continued Cyber Monday deals
- Mid-month: Gift-ready items, holiday entertaining
- Post-Christmas: Major clearance begins December 26
Monthly Instant Savings (Coupon Books)
Throughout the year, Costco releases monthly "Instant Savings" coupon books with rotating deals:
How It Works
- Duration: Approximately 26 days each cycle
- Start day: Usually Wednesday
- End day: Sunday
- Different categories: Each month features different items
Tips for Coupon Book Shopping
- Shop on Wednesday (day 1): All sale items are in stock
- Check online first: Coupon books are posted at costco.com
- No clipping required: Discounts apply automatically at checkout
- Stack with price adjustments: If you bought something last month and it's now in the coupon book, request an adjustment
Best Time to Buy by Category
Electronics (TVs, Laptops, Tablets)
| Best Time | Why | Expected Discount |
|---|---|---|
| January (Super Bowl) | Major TV sales before the game | 20-40% off TVs |
| Black Friday | Biggest electronics sale of year | Up to 50% off |
| August (Back to School) | Laptop and tablet discounts | 15-30% off |
Appliances
| Best Time | Why | Expected Discount |
|---|---|---|
| Memorial Day (May) | Traditional appliance sale | Up to 40% off |
| Labor Day (September) | Summer clearance + sale | 20-35% off |
| Black Friday (November) | Best prices of year | Up to 50% off |
Outdoor & Patio Furniture
| Best Time | Why | Expected Discount |
|---|---|---|
| August-September | End of season clearance | 30-50% off |
| Memorial Day | Seasonal kickoff sales | 15-25% off |
Strategy: Buy for next year in late summer for deepest discounts.
Seasonal Items
- Christmas decorations: Buy in January (50-75% off)
- Halloween items: Buy early November (major clearance)
- Summer toys/pools: Buy late August (30-50% off)
Best Days & Times to Shop
Best Days of the Week
| Day | Rating | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | Best | Restocked shelves, light crowds |
| Wednesday | Best | New coupon book starts, fresh stock |
| Thursday | Good | Still well-stocked, moderate crowds |
| Monday | Good | Post-weekend restocking |
| Friday | Fair | Weekend rush starting |
| Saturday | Poor | Most crowded day |
| Sunday | Poor | Crowded, some items sold out |
Best Time of Day
- Around 11 AM: Optimal balance—shelves restocked, pre-lunch crowd
- Opening (9-10 AM): Best for markdowns and Manager's Specials
- Last hour before close: Possible clearance deals, but limited selection
Decoding Costco Price Tags
Understanding price tags helps you identify deals:
Price Endings
| Ending | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
| .99 | Regular price | Wait for sale or coupon |
| .97 | Manager's markdown/clearance | Buy now—won't get cheaper |
| .00 or .88/.89 | Manufacturer deal/closeout | Good deal, limited quantity |
| .49 | Often indicates special buy | Compare to regular items |
Asterisk (*) Symbol
An asterisk (*) in the top right corner means:
- Item will not be restocked when sold out
- This is your last chance to buy at this location
- Could indicate clearance or discontinued item
Price Protection Strategy
Combine timing knowledge with Costco's 30-day price adjustment policy:
The Smart Buying Approach
- Buy when you need it (don't wait forever)
- Set up price drop alerts for the next 30 days
- If price drops: Request adjustment and get the difference back
- Net result: You get the lowest price without timing perfectly
Example Strategy
You need a new TV in early January:
- Buy the TV now at $599
- Set up a price alert using CostPal or Visualping
- Super Bowl sale drops price to $499
- Request price adjustment: get $100 back
- You paid the sale price without waiting
Seasonal Items Timeline
Know when seasonal items appear and when they're cheapest:
Spring/Summer Items
- Appear: Early March
- Full selection: April-May
- On sale: July-August
- Clearance: Late August-September
Fall/Winter Items
- Appear: Late August
- Full selection: September-October
- On sale: November (Black Friday)
- Clearance: January
Holiday Items
- Appear: 1-2 months before holiday
- Best selection: First week available
- Clearance: Day after holiday
FAQ
When does Costco have the biggest sales?
The biggest sales are during the Holiday Savings Event (mid-November through December 1), which includes Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.
What day of the week is best to shop at Costco?
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are best. Shelves are restocked, new coupon books start Wednesday, and crowds are lighter than weekends.
When is the best time to buy a TV at Costco?
January (Super Bowl sales) and November (Black Friday) offer the best TV discounts, with savings of 20-50% off.
Does Costco have Memorial Day sales?
Yes, Costco's Memorial Day sale typically runs May 15-26 with up to 70% off appliances, outdoor furniture, and grills.
When does Costco put patio furniture on clearance?
Patio furniture clearance typically happens in August-September, with discounts of 30-50% off. This is the best time to buy for next year.
How do I know if something is on clearance at Costco?
Look for prices ending in .97 (manager's markdowns) and asterisks (*) on price tags (won't be restocked).