Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them, AffordableThing may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t change what we recommend.
The sales, and how firm each date is
| Sale | Usual timing | What we found | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anniversary Sale | Mid to late March | AliExpress said the 2026 sale started on 16 March. A community post says 2025 started on 17 March. Details. | Ran in 2026. Next dates not announced |
| Summer Sale | Early to mid June | AliExpress told Korean press its 2026 Summer Sale ran for 10 days to 10 June. Third-party calendars list other windows, such as 12 to 18 June and 1 to 7 July. | Ran in 2026. Dates differ by country |
| 11.11 Global Shopping Festival | Warm-up from 8 November, main event from 11 November | In 2023 AliExpress announced a warm-up on 8 to 10 November and sales on 11 to 17 November. For 2026, third-party sites give a warm-up on 8 November and a main day on 11 November, and end dates of 17 or 19 November. | 2026 end date unconfirmed |
| Black Friday | Late November | Black Friday 2026 falls on 27 November and Cyber Monday on 30 November. AliExpress’s own window varies by source: 24 to 29 November on one site, 20 November to 3 December on another. | AliExpress’s window unconfirmed |
| 12.12 | Early December | Refundy, a cashback company, lists an early-December sale for year-end clearance. We found no official date. | Unconfirmed |
| Choice Day and brand days | Often around the start of each month | Refundy says smaller monthly events run through the year. | Recurring, dates vary |
“Status” means whether we found an official AliExpress statement, not whether the sale will happen.
Why calendars disagree
- Warm-up versus main sale. AliExpress’s 2023 11.11 announcement separated a warm-up (add to cart) from the official sales period, so two sites can both be right about different phases.
- Country differences. The Summer Sale example shows AliExpress announcing dates for Korean customers that differ from windows listed on global calendar sites.
- Promotion sites and affiliates. Many calendars come from coupon and cashback sites. Their dates are guides, and their “up to 90% off” headlines are marketing, not a promise for your item.
- Dates move. Refundy says exact dates shift each year and tells readers to confirm on the live event page.
How to confirm a date in a minute
- Open the AliExpress app or homepage and set your delivery country. The event banner, countdown and coupon page show your country’s dates.
- Look for an official announcement. AliExpress has issued press releases shortly before major events, such as the 11.11 release of 8 November 2023.
- Check the coupon terms on the event page, including the start and end time and time zone. AliExpress’s 2023 11.11 release used PST for its start times.
- Treat any single third-party date as unconfirmed until you see it in your own account.
Should you wait for a sale?
Not always. A sale is only worth waiting for if you can wait, and if the discount is real. See the best time to buy on AliExpress and how to tell a real flash deal from a fake one.
| Your situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| You need it soon | Buy now from a store you’ve checked. |
| It can wait for November | Wishlist it, record the price and compare during 11.11 and Black Friday. |
| It’s a safety-critical item | Buy from the maker or an authorised retailer, not the cheapest sale listing. |
| You’re buying several items | Check whether one seller stocks them all, so you don’t lose free shipping. |
What sales change, and what they don’t
- They can add coupons and offers. Refundy says sale prices and coupons generally stack. Coupons explained.
- They can slow delivery. Refundy says sale peaks such as 11.11 and Black Friday routinely add 5 to 15 days. Shipping times.
- They don’t change import charges. Duty and tax follow your country’s rules. Customs and import taxes.
- They don’t make a store safer. Check the seller. Seller checks.
Before the next sale: checklist
- ☐ I’ve confirmed the dates in my own AliExpress app, not just on a calendar site.
- ☐ I’ve built a wishlist and recorded normal prices.
- ☐ I’ve read the coupon terms, including minimum spend and expiry.
- ☐ I’ll compare the full total, not the headline discount.
- ☐ I’ve allowed extra time for delivery.
- ☐ I’m paying through AliExpress checkout.
Ready to shop?
To plan around the next sale, open AliExpress, check the event banner for your country and add the items you want to your wishlist. Search AliExpress for the same items from a second store to learn the normal price range, and check the current price again when the sale opens.
Where to go next
- The AliExpress Anniversary Sale: when it runs and how to shop it
- Best time to buy on AliExpress: wait for a sale or buy now?
- AliExpress flash deals: how to tell a real deal from a fake one
- AliExpress coupon codes
Frequently asked questions
When is the next AliExpress sale?
After the Summer Sale, the next big ones are 11.11 (main day 11 November) and Black Friday (27 November). AliExpress’s own dates for 2026 haven’t been confirmed by AliExpress, so check them in your app.
When is AliExpress 11.11?
The main day is 11 November. In 2023 AliExpress ran a warm-up on 8 to 10 November and sales on 11 to 17 November. For 2026, third-party sites give different end dates, so check your own account.
When is AliExpress Black Friday in 2026?
Black Friday is 27 November 2026 and Cyber Monday is 30 November. AliExpress’s own sale window varies by source, so confirm it in the app.
Why do sale dates differ between websites?
Sales have warm-up and main phases, dates vary by country and many calendars come from coupon sites. Only your own AliExpress account shows the dates that apply to you.
Is it worth waiting for a sale?
Only if you can wait and the discount is real. Record the normal price first and compare the full total.
The bottom line
Treat calendars as guides. The dates that matter are the ones in your own AliExpress app. Record normal prices, compare the full total, allow extra time for delivery, and don’t wait for a sale if you need the item soon.
Check current prices on AliExpress →
Sources
- AliExpress via PR Newswire: Fastest 11.11 Global Shopping Festival (8 November 2023)
- Seoul Economic Daily: AliExpress launches Summer Sale with discounts of up to 80% (1 June 2026; citing AliExpress Korea)
- Refundy: AliExpress sale dates, the full event calendar (2026, cashback vendor)
- PromosSale: AliExpress sale dates 2026 (coupon site; read as a search summary)
- MegaBonus: Guide to the AliExpress 11.11 sale in 2026 (cashback site; search summary)
- AliExpress on Instagram, 13 March 2026: Anniversary Sale starts 16 March (search summary)
- AliExpress: Buyer Protection
Sale dates, offers and terms change every year and by country. Confirm the current dates in your own AliExpress account before you plan a purchase.
