If you’ve ever bought something on AliExpress and then seen the same item at a significantly lower price two weeks later during a sale, you know how this feels. Not great.
AliExpress runs several major sale events throughout the year, and the discounts during those windows are genuinely different from what’s available on a regular day. Not slightly better. Meaningfully better, with larger platform coupons, seller price drops, site-wide promotions, and flash codes that don’t exist outside the events.
This article covers every major AliExpress sale event, when it runs, what to expect from each one, and how to use the calendar to plan purchases so you’re buying at the right time.
Shop AliExpress current deals →
Why Sale Events Matter More Than Regular Coupons
On a normal day, stacking a platform coupon, seller coupon, and coins gets you somewhere around 15-25% off most orders. That’s the baseline.
During a major sale event, three things change simultaneously:
Platform coupons get larger. A coupon that’s worth $5 off during a regular week might be $15 or $20 off during 11.11. Same mechanism, much bigger number.
Sellers drop their prices independently. Most sellers on AliExpress participate in major events by reducing their listed prices. Before any coupon is applied, the starting number is already lower.
Flash codes and event promotions appear. Promo codes that don’t exist outside events become available for hours at a time. These stack on top of everything else.
The combined effect is that a well-prepared order during 11.11 or the Anniversary Sale typically saves 35-55% compared to 15-25% outside events. For anything above $40, timing your purchase around a sale event is worth the wait.
The Full AliExpress Sale Calendar
11.11 . Singles’ Day (November 11)
The biggest sale AliExpress runs. Bigger than Black Friday for most product categories. The name comes from the date (11/11) and originated in China as an anti-Valentine’s Day before becoming the world’s largest shopping event.
When: November 11, every year. AliExpress typically starts the lead-up from early November, with platform coupons available from around November 7-8. The main event runs for 24 hours on the 11th, with flash deals appearing throughout the day.
What to expect: The largest platform coupons of the year. Sellers reduce prices more aggressively than any other event. Flash promo codes release hourly during the event day. Shipping times may extend slightly due to volume.
Best for: Electronics, gadgets, home goods, fashion. Essentially any category where you’re spending $30 or more.
How to prepare: Wishlist items in early November. Collect platform coupons from around November 8. Have your cart ready before November 11. Apply promo codes during the event when they appear.
3.28 Anniversary Sale (Late March / Early April)
AliExpress was founded in 2010. The Anniversary Sale marks that founding and is the second-biggest sale event of the year. Some years it runs on March 28 exactly; other years it shifts slightly or extends over several days. Check the AliExpress app in mid-March for the confirmed dates.
When: Late March to early April. Usually anchors around March 28.
What to expect: Platform coupons second only to 11.11 in value. Seller discounts across most categories. Event-specific promo codes. Less traffic pressure than 11.11, so flash codes are sometimes easier to catch.
Best for: Any purchase you were already planning that can wait until late March. Particularly good for higher-value items where the larger platform coupon makes a real difference.
How to prepare: Same approach as 11.11. Watch the app from mid-March, collect coupons as soon as they appear, build your cart in advance.
Check AliExpress for upcoming sale promotions →
Mid-Year Sale (June / July)
A mid-sized event that doesn’t get as much attention as 11.11 or the Anniversary Sale but still delivers meaningful discounts. The exact timing varies year to year, typically landing somewhere in June or early July.
When: June-July. AliExpress announces the specific dates on the app and homepage, usually two to three weeks in advance.
What to expect: Solid seller discounts and platform coupons, though smaller than the two main events. Worth timing purchases around if you’re buying in that window anyway. Less useful as a reason to delay a purchase by several months.
Best for: Items you were planning to buy in that period regardless. Also good for categories that see seasonal demand in summer (outdoor goods, travel accessories, cooling products).
Black Friday / Cyber Monday (Late November)
AliExpress participates in Black Friday and Cyber Monday with promotions tailored to Western markets, particularly the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.
When: The last Friday of November (Black Friday) and the following Monday (Cyber Monday).
What to expect: Variable. AliExpress Black Friday promotions have historically been smaller than 11.11, which runs only two weeks earlier. Some sellers run genuine additional discounts; others are still recovering from 11.11 stock movement. Platform coupons are available but typically less generous than 11.11.
Honest assessment: If you missed 11.11, Black Friday is worth checking. If you’re comparing Black Friday to waiting for the Anniversary Sale, wait for the Anniversary Sale.
Year-End / Christmas Sale (December)
AliExpress runs promotions through December targeting Christmas shopping, typically in the first two weeks of the month.
When: Early to mid-December.
What to expect: Moderate discounts. Useful for last-minute gifts if shipping times work for your location, though for US, UK, Canada, and Australia, standard shipping from AliExpress in December is unlikely to arrive before Christmas Day. Expedited shipping options are available but add cost.
Best for: Buyers who are comfortable with post-Christmas delivery or who are shopping for themselves rather than for gifts.
Super Deals / Flash Sales (Ongoing)
These aren’t calendar events. AliExpress runs Super Deals continuously: deeply discounted items from participating sellers, displayed on the Super Deals page and updated regularly. Individual flash sales run for a few hours on specific products.
When: Always. Check the Super Deals section on the AliExpress homepage or search “Super Deals” directly.
What to expect: Genuine discounts on specific items, often 50-70% off listed prices. The selection is limited and changes constantly. These are worth checking if you’re flexible about what you buy. Not useful if you have a specific product in mind that may or may not appear.
Browse AliExpress Super Deals →
Sale Event Calendar at a Glance
| Event | Timing | Scale | Best For |
| 11.11 Singles’ Day | November 11 | Largest | Everything |
| Anniversary Sale | Late March / Early April | Second largest | Planned purchases |
| Mid-Year Sale | June / July | Medium | Seasonal items |
| Black Friday | Late November | Medium-small | Missing 11.11 |
| Year-End Sale | Early December | Small-medium | Non-urgent gifts |
| Super Deals | Ongoing | Varies | Flexible shoppers |
How to Plan Purchases Around the Calendar
The calendar becomes useful when you map your planned purchases against it.
For purchases above $50: It’s almost always worth waiting for a major event unless you need the item urgently. The difference in platform coupon value alone can be $10-20, and that’s before seller price drops.
For purchases in the $20-40 range: Worth waiting if an event is within four weeks. Outside that window, use the standard stacking method and buy now.
For purchases under $20: Event timing matters less. The coupon minimums often don’t apply at this price point, and the absolute saving from an event is small. Buy when the price looks right.
For time-sensitive needs: Don’t wait. A sale event in six weeks doesn’t help if you need something this week. Use the standard stacking method and move on.
How to Get Ready Before an Event Starts
Preparation separates the people who get 40% off from the people who log in on the event day, find the good coupons already gone, and buy at a moderate discount they could have gotten any day.
Two to three weeks before: Add planned items to your AliExpress wishlist. The platform sometimes sends notifications when wishlisted items drop in price during events.
One week before: Start checking the Coupon Centre. Event-specific platform coupons often appear 5-7 days before the main event. Collect them as soon as they’re available. They have limited quantities and disappear.
Three days before: Confirm your cart is built correctly. Check that totals meet coupon minimum spends. Collect seller coupons from each product page.
Day of: Have your cart and payment method ready. Watch for flash promo codes on the event page and in the app’s notification centre. These are time-limited. Apply and checkout quickly when a good code appears.
Trust and Safety During Sale Events
Sale events bring more traffic and, occasionally, more questionable behaviour from sellers looking to inflate before-sale prices.
Check price history. If a seller has raised their listed price in the days before an event, the “discount” may not be real. AliExpress doesn’t show price history natively, but you can track prices manually by checking a product page a few weeks before an event.
Buy from rated sellers. During events, stick to sellers with strong ratings (4.7 stars and above) and a reasonable number of completed orders. New sellers with few reviews and heavy event discounts carry more risk.
Buyer protection still applies. AliExpress buyer protection covers every order placed during sale events exactly the same as regular orders. If something doesn’t arrive or doesn’t match the listing, open a dispute. The sale price you paid is the price that governs any refund.
FAQ
When is the next AliExpress sale? It depends on the current date. The recurring events are 11.11 (November 11), Anniversary Sale (late March/early April), Mid-Year Sale (June-July), Black Friday (late November), and the Year-End Sale (December). Check the AliExpress app homepage for any currently active promotions.
Is AliExpress 11.11 worth it? Yes, if you prepare in advance. Walking in without coupons collected gives you moderate savings. Walking in with platform coupons already claimed, seller coupons collected, and a built cart gives you the biggest discounts available on the platform.
How do I know when a sale starts? Enable notifications on the AliExpress app. The platform sends advance notice of upcoming events, and the app homepage usually displays a countdown timer once an event is within a week.
Are AliExpress sale prices genuine? Mostly, with exceptions. Most sellers offer real discounts during major events. Some inflate prices beforehand. For items you’ve been watching, note the price a few weeks before an event and compare. Sellers with consistent prices who then discount during an event are offering a genuine saving.
Can I use coupons during AliExpress sale events? Yes. Platform coupons, seller coupons, and coins all work during sale events and stack with event pricing and promo codes. Event-specific platform coupons are typically more generous than the ones available outside events.
What if I miss a sale event? The standard stacking method (platform coupon plus seller coupon plus coins) delivers 15-25% off on most orders any day. You’re not stuck paying full price outside events. The next major event is never more than a few months away for purchases that can wait.
The Simple Rule
If you’re buying something above $40 and a major sale event is within four weeks, wait.
If the next event is more than a month away, stack coupons and buy now. You’ll still save. The event discount just represents the ceiling, not the only option.
Shop AliExpress now or save this page for the next sale →
Help a Friend Save Money:
