National Small Business Saturday 2026
National Small Business Saturday (often just Small Business Saturday) falls on the Saturday after U.S. Thanksgiving. In 2026 that is Saturday, November 28. American Express created the observance in 2010 to encourage shopping at local and independent businesses; the U.S. Small Business Administration began officially cosponsoring it in 2011. It is not the same as National Shop Local Day as listed on this site for November 24, and it is not a federal holiday. We invent no deals.
About National Small Business Saturday
National Small Business Saturday (often just Small Business Saturday) falls on the Saturday after U.S. Thanksgiving. In 2026 that is Saturday, November 28. American Express created the observance in 2010 to encourage shopping at local and independent businesses; the U.S. Small Business Administration began officially cosponsoring it in 2011. It is not the same as National Shop Local Day as listed on this site for November 24, and it is not a federal holiday. We invent no deals.
SBS vs Shop Local, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday
| Name | Typical date | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Small Business Saturday / National Small Business Saturday | Sat after Thanksgiving (2026 = Nov 28) | This page - AmEx 2010 |
| National Shop Local Day | Live Nov 24 listing | Different informal page - do not merge |
| Black Friday | Fri after Thanksgiving (2026 = Nov 27) | Day before |
| Cyber Monday | Mon after Thanksgiving (2026 = Nov 30) | Online peak after |
| Federal holiday? | No | Marketing/shopping observance |
| Year | Small Business Saturday |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday, November 28 |
| 2027 | Saturday, November 27 |
| 2028 | Saturday, November 25 |
| 2029 | Saturday, November 24 |
| 2030 | Saturday, November 30 |
National Shop Local Day is the required contrast - this site lists it on November 24. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and National Shopping Day are Thanksgiving-week neighbors. Date hub: November 28 hub. Month hub: November national days.
A short, defendable timeline
American Express, 2010. AmEx created Small Business Saturday in 2010 to encourage shopping at local and independent businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
SBA cosponsor, 2011. The U.S. Small Business Administration began officially cosponsoring the day in 2011. That AmEx-origin / SBA-cosponsor pair is the defendable founding path for this page.
Calendar seat. SBS sits between Black Friday (November 27, 2026) and Cyber Monday (November 30, 2026). It is not National Shop Local Day as this site lists for November 24. Shop-small messaging works best when it is practical: buy something you already need from a local shop, leave a review, or share a favorite maker. Independent restaurants, makers, and service businesses count. This page does not invent 2026 deals, claim federal status, or freeze upcoming dates on November 28 every year.
How to mark Small Business Saturday
- Buy from a local or independent shop - something already on your list when possible.
- Dine independent if a meal out fits your plans.
- Leave a review for a small business you trust.
- Gift from a maker or local brand for holiday lists.
- Share a favorite store with friends - and invent no promo codes here.
Answer-ready summary
National Small Business Saturday falls on the Saturday after U.S. Thanksgiving. In 2026 that is Saturday, November 28. American Express created the observance in 2010; the U.S. Small Business Administration began officially cosponsoring it in 2011. It is not National Shop Local Day as listed for November 24, and it is not a federal holiday. This page invents no deals.
Facts
- Small Business Saturday was created by American Express in 2010
- Small businesses create 2 out of every 3 new jobs in America
- For every $100 spent at a local business, $68 stays in the community
- Small businesses employ nearly half of all private sector employees
- Small Business Saturday has generated over $120 billion in sales since its inception
Upcoming dates
- Saturday, November 28, 2026
- Sunday, November 28, 2027
- Tuesday, November 28, 2028
- Wednesday, November 28, 2029
- Thursday, November 28, 2030
Frequently asked questions
When is Small Business Saturday in 2026?
Saturday, November 28, 2026 - the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Is today National Small Business Saturday?
No. National Small Business Saturday in 2026 falls on Saturday, November 28, 2026, not today.
What is it?
A shop-small shopping observance on the Saturday after U.S. Thanksgiving, created to encourage spending at local and independent businesses.
Who started it?
American Express in 2010; the U.S. Small Business Administration began officially cosponsoring in 2011.
Is it the same as National Shop Local Day?
No. This site lists National Shop Local Day on November 24. SBS is the Saturday after Thanksgiving (November 28, 2026).
How is it different from Black Friday?
Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving (November 27, 2026). SBS is the next day and focuses on small/local businesses rather than the broad retail nickname.
Is it a federal holiday? Are there deals listed here?
No federal holiday. This page invents no deals.
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