When Do Easter Sales Start? 2026 Retailer Breakdown

Easter sales don't start on a single date. The window typically opens in mid-March and runs through the week after the holiday, with the steepest discounts appearing after April 5 rather than before it. If you're shopping for basket fillers, Easter gifts for adults, or bigger purchases like home office furniture, when you buy matters — a mid-March purchase and an April 7 one can carry meaningfully different price tags.

This guide covers when Easter sales start in 2026, which retailers move first, and where the best deals land across seasonal and year-round categories.

When Do Easter Sales Start in 2026?

Easter 2026 falls on April 5. Most retailers don't wait until the week of — the first promotions surface in mid-March, roughly three weeks out, starting with specialty stores and craft retailers. By late March, major players like Target, Walmart, and Amazon are running active Easter sale online promotions across multiple categories. The final week before April 5 is peak selection but not peak discount.

Post-Easter is a different story. After Easter, clearance starts as early as Easter Sunday at some stores, with the steepest markdowns — reaching 50% off and higher — typically landing between April 6 and April 13.

One pattern worth noting: furniture Easter sale events follow a different rhythm than seasonal items. Ergonomic desks, chairs, and home office equipment don't go to clearance post-holiday — their discounts run pre-Easter as part of broader spring promotions, then normalize. If that's what you're shopping for, the pre-Easter window is the one to watch.

Easter Sales by Retailer: What to Expect in 2026

Retailers don't move in sync during the Easter window. Some start promotions weeks out; others wait until the holiday passes to make their move. Here's what past sales patterns suggest for each major retailer in 2026.

1. Target

Target typically begins Easter promotions two to three weeks before the holiday, covering a broad range of categories both in-store and online. Based on past sales patterns, pre-Easter discounts have applied across:

• Seasonal decor: Easter-themed tableware, banners, figurines, and decorative baskets
• Candy and food: Chocolate bunnies, jelly beans, Peeps, and Easter-themed packaged sweets
• Apparel: Spring dresses, kids' Easter outfits, and pastel-themed clothing
• Toys and basket fillers: Action figures, plush, small activity sets, and craft kits
• Home goods: Seasonal kitchen linens, serveware, and spring-themed household items

Pre-Easter discounts have historically ranged around 20–30% on most categories. Post-Easter clearance typically opens the day after the holiday at around 50% off, deepening over the following two weeks. Target Circle members may see early access to select markdowns — worth checking before shopping in-store.

2. Amazon

Amazon's Easter sale online activity typically folds into its broader Big Spring Sale, which usually runs in late March. Discounts tend to surface across:

• Home goods and kitchen: Small appliances, cookware, and storage
• Books, toys, and kids' items: Easter basket-worthy picks at reduced prices
• Electronics and tech accessories: Selective discounts, usually on mid-range products

Amazon doesn't run a dedicated post-Easter clearance page. After April 6, price drops on remaining seasonal inventory tend to be quiet and category-specific rather than a sitewide event. Searching directly for Easter basket fillers or spring decor after the holiday is more reliable than waiting for a curated sale page to appear.

3. Walmart

Walmart runs one of the broader pre-Easter sale online events among major retailers, with promotions spanning both seasonal and non-seasonal categories. Easter sale items that have historically seen discounts include:

• Candy and food: Bulk Easter candy, chocolate eggs, and seasonal packaged sweets
• Toys and basket fillers: Budget-friendly basket stuffers, small toys, and activity kits
• Apparel: Kids' Easter outfits and spring basics
• Seasonal decor: Plastic eggs, Easter baskets, and tableware

Electronics and large appliances are occasionally discounted during Walmart's spring events, but these tend to be general spring promotions rather than Easter-specific markdowns — don't expect holiday-driven deals on big-ticket items. Post-Easter, candy and food clearance typically opens around 25% off, with non-edible seasonal items seeing steeper cuts of 50% or more within the first week.

4. Home Depot and Lowe's

Neither retailer runs a dedicated Easter sale or post-Easter clearance event. What does align with the Easter window is their annual spring outdoor push, which typically begins in late March. Based on past patterns, categories that see meaningful discounts include:

• Patio furniture and outdoor seating
• Gardening tools, seeds, and planters
• Grills and outdoor cooking equipment
• Power tools and lawn care equipment

Discounts on patio furniture have historically reached up to 40% during this window. These are spring-cycle promotions — they don't deepen after Easter the way seasonal decor does elsewhere, and they don't follow a clearance model. If outdoor and garden items are on the list, pre-Easter is the right window rather than waiting for a post-holiday markdown.

5. Hobby Lobby

Hobby Lobby tends to move quickly on post-Easter markdowns. Past patterns show clearance starting the day after Easter, with seasonal decor, craft supplies, and basket materials seeing some of the steeper markdowns of the season. Categories that have historically been included:

• Easter and spring decor: Wreaths, figurines, tabletop displays, and seasonal signage
• Baskets and basket-making supplies: Pre-made baskets and materials
• Craft supplies: Seasonal fabrics, ribbons, floral picks, and decorative accessories
• Party supplies: Easter-themed tableware, banners, and entertaining items

Candy and food are not a primary category at Hobby Lobby — this is predominantly a decor and craft clearance event. Based on previous years, markdowns have opened around 66% off and escalated to 75% within the first week, potentially reaching higher in the second week of April. Non-perishable items here are worth stocking for next year.

6. Michaels

Michaels follows a similar post-Easter clearance pattern to Hobby Lobby, focused primarily on craft and seasonal categories. Based on past sales patterns, day-after discounts have opened around 60% off, climbing toward 70–80% by mid-April. Categories typically included:

• Seasonal craft supplies: Easter-themed fabrics, ribbons, and decorative accessories
• Craft kits: Creatology activity sets and egg-decorating kits
• Floral and decorative items: Spring wreaths, picks, and arrangement supplies
• Baskets and storage: Decorative baskets with seasonal styling

Like Hobby Lobby, Michaels is not a destination for Easter candy or apparel. The clearance value here is concentrated in non-perishable craft and decor items — categories where buying post-Easter for next year is a practical strategy.

7. Autonomous

Autonomous runs spring promotions on height-adjustable standing desks and ergonomic office chairs during the pre-Easter window, aligned with broader home office refresh behavior in March and April. Unlike seasonal retailers, a furniture Easter sale doesn't follow a clearance model — there's no post-holiday markdown event on products like standing desks or ergonomic chairs.

If a home office upgrade is on the list, the weeks leading up to April 5 are the relevant window — not the days after. Waiting for post-Easter clearance on furniture, here or elsewhere, is unlikely to be a productive strategy.

What Goes on Sale and When to Buy It

Not every Easter sale item follows the same discount pattern. What you're shopping for determines which window actually makes sense — pre-Easter, day-after clearance, or deep clearance in the second week of April.

1. Candy and Seasonal Food

Pre-Easter is the practical window for candy — selection is at its widest and prices are moderately discounted. Post-Easter clearance on candy exists at most major retailers, but perishability is the limiting factor. Unless you're buying hard candy or sealed non-perishables with a long shelf life, stockpiling post-Easter food items for next year isn't a reliable strategy. Buy what you need before April 5. 

If gift shopping is also on the list, the pre-Easter window is the right time to act — whether you're picking up Easter treats for coworkers, browsing Easter gifts for college students, or shopping for Easter gifts for teachers. Selection is broadest and pricing is more moderate before promotions peak in late March.

2. Easter Decor and Basket Supplies

This is the strongest category for after Easter sale shopping. Decorative baskets, plastic eggs, tableware, seasonal banners, and non-perishable decor are all worth buying post-Easter at clearance prices if you're planning ahead. 

Based on past patterns, the day-after window at retailers like Target, Hobby Lobby, and Michaels has offered the best balance of selection and discount depth. By the second week of April, selection thins considerably — but remaining items are typically at their deepest markdowns.

3. Spring Clothing and Apparel

Spring apparel follows a different logic from seasonal decor. Pre-Easter is the best window — department stores and general retailers discount spring dresses, kids' Easter outfits, and pastel basics in the weeks leading up to the holiday, and popular sizes move fast. 

Post-Easter markdowns on clothing do occur, but selection is significantly picked over by April 6. If specific sizing matters, don't wait for clearance. The same pre-Easter window applies when you're also shopping for Easter gifts for him or Easter gifts for her — seasonal gift sets and apparel-related presents tend to move during this phase.

4. Home Office Furniture and Ergonomic Equipment

Spring is one of the more natural moments to reassess a home office setup — longer days, returned routines after Q1, and an upcoming summer of either remote or hybrid work tend to surface the need. Easter sale online promotions in this category typically cover standing desks, ergonomic chairs, monitor arms, and desk accessories rather than peripherals or tech. 

These are considered purchases with longer evaluation cycles, so the Easter window is more useful as a price-check moment than an impulse buy trigger. Worth having a shortlist ready before mid-March. If you're also planning seasonal setups, Easter office decorations tend to surface at the same retailers during the pre-Easter window — though the relevant purchase window for ergonomic equipment remains the weeks before April 5, not post-holiday clearance.

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5. Craft Supplies

Not all craft supply markdowns are worth acting on. Post-Easter clearance on seasonal fabrics, ribbons, and floral picks makes sense if you run regular projects — these are genuinely versatile beyond Easter. Heavily themed items like Easter-printed fabrics or holiday-specific molds have limited reuse value and aren't worth storing unless you have a specific plan for them. Egg decorating kits are a practical exception — most have a two to three year shelf life if stored dry.

FAQs

Are there usually sales at Easter?

Yes. Easter is a major retail sales period in the US, with most retailers offering promotions before and after the holiday. Easter sales go beyond seasonal items, covering categories like spring clothing, home goods, appliances, and home office furniture.

Do Easter sales start before Easter?

Easter sales typically start 2 to 3 weeks before Easter Sunday, often beginning in mid to late March. The best selection and widest discounts usually appear in the final two weeks leading up to Easter.

When do Easter sales start in 2026?

In 2026, Easter sales start around mid-March, about 2 to 3 weeks before Easter Sunday on April 5. Major retailers like Target, Walmart, and Amazon typically launch promotions by late March, with peak deals appearing in early April.

What sells most during Easter?

Candy and seasonal food are the top-selling Easter items, followed by baskets, spring clothing, and decorations. At the same time, categories like home goods, small appliances, and outdoor furniture also see strong demand during the Easter sales period.

What is the best day to shop after Easter sales?

The best day to shop after Easter is April 6, 2026 (the day after Easter), when discounts often reach 50% to 70%. Inventory is still available, but selection drops quickly in the days that follow.

What are the best Easter sale items to buy post-holiday?

The best post-Easter deals are on non-perishable items like baskets, plastic eggs, decorations, and craft supplies. These products are heavily discounted and easy to store for next year, unlike candy or fresh food.

Do Easter sales include electronics and appliances?

Yes, but not heavily. Electronics and appliances are usually included in broader spring sales during the Easter period, with moderate discounts rather than deep holiday-specific deals.

Do furniture and home office products go on sale at Easter?

Yes. Furniture and home office products often go on sale before Easter as part of spring promotions. These discounts typically peak before the holiday and are less likely to drop further after Easter.

Conclusion

Knowing when Easter sales start is only half the equation. The more useful frame is matching your shopping list to the right window — pre-Easter for selection-sensitive and non-seasonal categories, day-after for non-perishable seasonal items at the best balance of price and availability, deep clearance for maximum discount if selection isn't a constraint.

For most categories, the Easter sale window in 2026 runs from mid-March through mid-April — a longer runway than most shoppers expect. The retailers that move earliest aren't always the ones with the deepest discounts, and the deepest discounts don't always land on the categories worth stockpiling. Working through that logic before the window opens is what separates a purposeful Easter shopping strategy from a reactive one.