Your month-by-month guide to Kohl's 2026 sales calendar

Kohl's 2026 sale calendar follows predictable patterns established over years of promotional data, allowing shoppers to save big by timing purchases around proven discount windows. SimplyCodes ShopGraph data analyzed two years of Kohl's promotional activity (2024-2025) to decode exactly when America's department store giant offers its deepest discounts—and which months deliver the most promotional opportunities.

The data reveals a retailer that balances aggressive holiday promotions with consistent year-round value, creating distinct shopping seasons where patient consumers can secure 40-60% off regular prices plus additional stackable savings through Kohl's Cash and promo codes.

Complete 2026 Kohl's shopping calendar at a glance

Bold entries indicate the highest-value shopping opportunities—structured promotional events (Credit Events, Friends & Family, Customer Appreciation, Cyber Deals) and major holiday sales that consistently deliver maximum savings.

Understanding Kohl's promo code patterns

Kohl's released 126 promotional codes across 24 months (January 2024-December 2025), revealing distinct seasonal patterns that strategic shoppers can leverage for additional savings beyond advertised sales.

Monthly promo code frequency: What the data shows

Key insights from the data:

Peak promotional months see dramatically higher code releases:

• November and July tie for highest activity at 8-9 codes monthly

• November's codes support Black Friday intensity and multiple Kohl's Cash cycles

• July's codes drive aggressive summer clearance—the second-highest promotional activity period

• December maintains 7-8 codes for sustained holiday shopping momentum

Strategic timing patterns emerge:

• February and June show high variability (February: 6 in 2024 vs. 5 in 2025; June: 2 in 2024 vs. 8 in 2025)

• This variability reflects Easter timing (early vs. late affects April/March code distribution)

• June's 2025 spike suggests increased summer promotional emphasis

Consistent moderate months:

• October shows remarkable consistency (5 codes both years)

• January, March, and May average 3 codes monthly despite hosting major sale events

• These months rely more on advertised sales and structured events (Friends & Family, Credit Events) than promo code distribution

How Kohl's structures its promotional calendar

Kohl's operates on a promotional cadence that divides the year into distinct periods, each with specific discount strategies and merchandise focuses. Understanding this structure helps shoppers identify optimal purchasing windows for different product categories.

The three-tier promotional system

Major sale events anchor Kohl's calendar around traditional retail holidays—Black Friday, Memorial Day, Labor Day—where sitewide discounts reach 30-60% off with aggressive Kohl's Cash earning rates of $15 for every $50 spent. These tent-pole events typically span 3-5 days with extended early access for Kohl's Rewards members.

Weekly promotional cycles maintain baseline traffic between major events, featuring rotating department sales (home goods one week, apparel the next) with 25-40% off select categories. These predictable Friday-through-Monday windows create consistent shopping opportunities throughout the year.

Flash sales and cardholder events provide targeted promotions for Kohl's Credit Card holders and Rewards members, typically offering an additional 15-30% off during designated "Extra Savings" periods. These events often coincide with slower retail periods to drive incremental traffic.

Kohl's Cash mechanics and timing

Kohl's Cash functions as a delayed discount mechanism—customers earn promotional certificates ($10 for every $50 spent during earning periods) redeemable during subsequent redemption windows. This creates a two-phase promotional cycle:

Earning periods typically launch 7-14 days before major holidays or seasonal transitions, driving purchases ahead of peak demand. November 2024 and 2025 both featured 8+ separate earning opportunities as Kohl's aggressively pursued holiday market share.

Redemption windows follow immediately after earning periods end, extending 10-14 days to encourage additional purchases. Strategic shoppers time redemptions to coincide with new earning periods, creating a perpetual savings cycle.

Month-by-month breakdown: Kohl's 2026 sales forecast

Here’s a breakdown in detail of our predictions for Kohls sale dates in 2026:

January 2026: Post-holiday clearance and fresh starts

Key shopping windows:

• New Year's Clearance (January 1-5)

• Kohl's Cash Redemption Period (Early January)

• MLK Weekend (January 17-19)

January kicks off 2026 with aggressive after-Christmas clearance continuing from December 26. Winter apparel hits 50-70% off as Kohl's makes room for spring inventory. Coats, boots, sweaters, and holiday décor reach maximum discounts—often deeper than Black Friday pricing on identical items.

Expected promo code volume: 3-4 codes

Early January provides opportunities to redeem Kohl's Cash earned during December holiday shopping. These certificates typically expire January 10-14, creating urgency for post-holiday purchases.

MLK Weekend (January 17-19) historically features home goods and athletic wear promotions, capitalizing on New Year's fitness resolutions with 40-50% off activewear and 30-40% off home organization products.

What to buy: Winter clearance (60-70% off beats Black Friday), home organization for New Year goals, athletic wear during MLK weekend

What to skip: Spring apparel just arriving—wait for Memorial Day's 40-60% off on identical items

February 2026: Presidents' Day powerhouse month

Key shopping windows:

• Valentine's Day Sale (February 7-14)

• Credit Event (Mid-February, ~February 11-14)

• Presidents' Day Sale (February 13-17)

• Kohl's Cash Earn (Throughout February)

February emerges as one of Kohl's most promotion-heavy months with 5-6 events annually. The month combines Valentine's gifting with Presidents' Day weekend—historically one of retail's strongest promotional periods for home goods.

Expected promo code volume: 5-6 codes

Presidents' Day Sale (February 13-17, 2026) rivals Black Friday for home goods discounts:

• 50-60% off mattresses, bedding, furniture

• 40-50% off kitchen appliances

• Often beats Black Friday by 10-15 percentage points on identical comforter sets and sheet collections

Credit Event (Mid-February) provides cardholders with 30% off their entire purchase while non-cardholders access 20-25% off. This stacks with sale prices for compound savings.

What to buy: Bedding and bath products (annual low pricing), small appliances, major furniture purchases during Credit Event

What to skip: Valentine's jewelry sees only 30-40% off—Mother's Day offers comparable pricing

March 2026: Friends & Family and spring transition

Key shopping windows:

• Friends & Family Event (Early-Mid March, ~March 7-10)

• Spring Apparel Event (Mid-Late March)

• St. Patrick's Day Promotions (March 14-17)

Expected promo code volume: 3-4 codes

March's highlight is Friends & Family (projected March 7-10, 2026)—one of two annual events offering 20-25% off storewide with reduced brand exclusions. This provides rare access to Nike, Under Armour, Levi's, and designer collections typically excluded from promotions.

The event coincides with spring merchandise arrivals, providing early-season discounts on new inventory. Stacking with Kohl's Cash earning creates 40-45% effective discount on premium brands.

March typically shows reduced promotional intensity as Kohl's focuses on full-price spring merchandise sales rather than aggressive discounting.

What to buy: Premium excluded brands during Friends & Family (rare 20-25% off opportunity), final winter clearance at 70%+ off

What to skip: Regular spring apparel—Memorial Day delivers 15-20 percentage points deeper savings in 8 weeks

April 2026: Easter sales and spring bridge

Key shopping windows:

• Easter Sale (April 3-6, 2026)

• Kohl's Cash Giveaway (Early April)

• Spring promotions (Throughout month)

Expected promo code volume: 4-6 codes

With Easter falling April 5, 2026, Easter-themed promotions dominate early April. Expect 30-40% off children's apparel, Easter outfits, toys, and seasonal décor. While not Kohl's deepest discount period, families shopping for Easter outfits find competitive pricing combined with Kohl's Cash earning.

Kohl's Cash Giveaway events often feature enhanced earning rates ($15 per $50 vs. standard $10) during Easter shopping periods.

April typically shows moderate promotional activity as Kohl's transitions from spring to summer merchandising, bridging toward Memorial Day's major promotional push.

What to buy: Easter outfits if needed immediately, spring basics at 25-30% off for immediate wear

What to skip: Outdoor furniture appearing at 30-40% off—Memorial Day beats these prices by 10-15 percentage points

May 2026: Memorial Day weekend dominance

Key shopping windows:

• Mother's Day Sale (Early May, ~May 8-10)

• Credit Event (Mid-May, ~May 13-16)

• Memorial Day Sale (May 22-25)

• Kohl's Cash Earn (Throughout May)

Expected promo code volume: 3-4 codes

Memorial Day 2026 (observed Monday, May 25) marks Kohl's second-strongest sale period of the year behind only Black Friday. The four-day event delivers 40-60% off sitewide across all categories plus aggressive Kohl's Cash earning ($15 per $50 spent).

Why Memorial Day matters:

• Summer apparel at peak discount before inventory depletes

• Outdoor furniture and grills at annual low pricing

• Better selection than Fourth of July with comparable or deeper discounts

• Athletic wear and swimwear before vacation season drives demand

Mid-May Credit Event (one of four annual cardholder mega-events) provides 30% off for cardholders, 20-25% off for non-cardholders. Historically the strongest Credit Event of the year for home goods.

What to buy: Summer apparel, outdoor furniture, grills, swimwear, athletic wear—Memorial Day is the optimal window

What to skip: Items appearing at 30% off early May—wait for Memorial Day's 40-60% off

June 2026: Customer Appreciation and Father's Day

Key shopping windows:

• Customer Appreciation Event (Early-Mid June)

• Father's Day Week (June 13-21)

• Summer clearance begins (Late June)

Expected promo code volume: 5-8 codes

June represents moderate promotional activity focused on Father's Day gifting and continued summer merchandise rollout. Customer Appreciation Event (early-mid June) provides 20-30% off storewide without requiring card membership, spanning 5-7 days with rotating daily deals by category.

Father's Day Week (June 13-21, 2026) emphasizes men's apparel, tools, and electronics with 30-40% off select categories plus standard Kohl's Cash earning. Respectable discounts but rarely match Memorial Day or Labor Day pricing on identical items.

Late June sees early summer clearance markdowns (30-40% off) as Kohl's makes room for back-to-school inventory.

What to buy: Father's Day gifts (time-sensitive need justifies current pricing), immediate summer needs during Customer Appreciation

What to skip: Discretionary summer purchases—wait 4-6 weeks for July's 60-70% off clearance intensity

July 2026: Summer clearance explosion

Key shopping windows:

• Fourth of July Sale (July 2-6)

• Summer Cyber Deals (Mid-July)

• Back-to-School Preview (Late July)

Expected promo code volume: 6-11 codes (highest or second-highest monthly total)

July explodes with promotional activity, averaging 8-11 events annually—second only to November's Black Friday dominance. This unexpected promotional intensity makes July arguably Kohl's most underrated shopping month.

Fourth of July Weekend (July 2-6, 2026) kicks off summer clearance with 40-50% off sitewide plus elevated Kohl's Cash earning. While marketed as a patriotic sale, the event primarily functions as early clearance for summer goods.

Mid-month clearance events intensify discounts weekly:

• Early July (Jul 1-7): 40-50% off summer apparel

• Mid-July (Jul 8-15): 50-60% off

• Late July (Jul 16-31): 60-70% off

Summer Cyber Deals (mid-July, 4-day event) features online-focused promotions with extra 15-20% off codes, free shipping, and web-exclusive inventory.

What to buy: Summer apparel at 60-70% off for next year, outdoor furniture mid-July for best balance of selection and discount, swimwear anytime July

What to skip: Nothing—July delivers exceptional value across categories

August 2026: Back-to-school meets final summer clearance

Key shopping windows:

• Back-to-School Peak (August 1-15)

• Credit Event (Mid-August, ~August 12-15)

• Tax-Free Weekends (Early August, varies by state)

• Summer Clearance Final (Late August)

Expected promo code volume: 4-7 codes

August splits focus between back-to-school necessities and continued summer clearance. Back-to-School Peak (August 1-15) emphasizes 30-50% off kids' apparel, backpacks, and dorm essentials with peak selection occurring early month before popular sizes sell through.

Tax-Free Weekends (typically first or second weekend of August) see Kohl's aggressively promoting qualifying items with 25-40% off base pricing. State-specific tax exemptions stack with store promotions for compound savings on clothing, shoes, and school supplies.

Credit Event (Mid-August) provides 30% off for cardholders targeting back-to-school big purchases (multiple wardrobes, dorm furniture).

Late August (August 23-31) delivers final summer clearance at 70%+ off remaining inventory—ideal for warm-climate residents or next-year planning.

What to buy: Back-to-school items week 1-2 for selection, summer clearance late August at 70%+ off

What to skip: Early August if you can wait—late month delivers deeper discounts on summer items

September 2026: Labor Day and fall fashion launch

Key shopping windows:

• Labor Day Sale (September 4-7)

• Friends & Family Event (Mid-September, ~September 19-22)

• Fall Apparel Launch (Late September)

Expected promo code volume: 4-7 codes

September centers on Labor Day weekend—historically Kohl's third-strongest sale event annually behind Black Friday and Memorial Day. The four-day event features 40-60% off sitewide, elevated Kohl's Cash earning ($15 per $50), and final summer clearance at 70%+ off.

Strategic categories for Labor Day:

• Fall apparel sees first significant discounts (30-40% off new arrivals)—optimal for building fall wardrobes before selection depletes

• Home goods and small appliances match Memorial Day pricing (last major home sale before Black Friday)

• Summer clearance final opportunity at 70-80% off

Friends & Family (Mid-September, projected September 19-22) offers second annual opportunity for 20-25% off storewide including excluded brands (Nike, Under Armour, Levi's). Focus shifts to fall apparel, boots, and outerwear.

What to buy: Fall apparel on Labor Day for selection, excluded brands during Friends & Family, final summer clearance

What to skip: Fall items appearing at 30% off early September if you can wait for Labor Day's 40-60% off

October 2026: Pre-holiday positioning and fall deals

Key shopping windows:

• 4-Day Cyber Deals (Early October, ~October 6-9)

• Columbus Day Weekend (October 9-12)

• Halloween Week (Late October)

Expected promo code volume: 5 codes (remarkably consistent both years)

4-Day Cyber Deals (Early October) represents a major online and in-store promotional event with 30-40% off across categories plus free shipping. The event serves as Kohl's pre-holiday test, introducing early holiday gift inventory while gauging consumer response to pricing.

October shows moderate promotional activity (5 events consistently) as Kohl's positions for the critical November-December holiday season. Columbus Day Weekend typically features 30-40% off sitewide with standard Kohl's Cash earning.

Halloween Week promotions focus on costumes and seasonal décor with 25-40% off, though the period serves primarily to drive foot traffic for holiday shopping reconnaissance.

What to buy: Early holiday shopping during 4-Day Cyber Deals to avoid Black Friday chaos, Halloween costumes if needed

What to skip: Fall merchandise at 30-40% off—Black Friday delivers 50-60% off on identical items in 6 weeks

November 2026: Black Friday dominance

Key shopping windows:

• Veterans Day Sale (November 11)

• Early Black Friday (November 20-25)

• Black Friday (November 27)

• Cyber Monday (November 30)

Expected promo code volume: 8-9 codes (highest monthly total)

November represents Kohl's promotional peak with 8-9 events annually, centered on Black Friday weekend—consistently the retailer's highest-traffic, deepest-discount period.

Black Friday (November 27, 2026) features Kohl's deepest annual discounts:

• Doorbuster items at 60-80% off with limited quantities

• Sitewide 40-60% off across all departments

• Maximum Kohl's Cash earning ($15-20 per $50 spent)

• Additional 15-30% off for cardholders stacking with sale prices

• Extended store hours (often 5am-midnight or 24-hour online)

Early Black Friday Sales (November 20-25) extend the traditional one-day event into a full week with staggered doorbuster releases. Kohl's Rewards members and cardholders receive 24-48 hour early access.

Cyber Monday (November 30, 2026) extends Black Friday pricing online with exclusive web-only deals, typically matching Friday's discount depth.

What to buy: Everything—Black Friday delivers annual low pricing on electronics, toys, gifts, winter essentials

What to skip: Nothing if you need it—December rarely beats Black Friday pricing

December 2026: Holiday rush and year-end clearance

Key shopping windows:

• Cyber Week Continuation (December 1-7)

• Friends & Family/Holiday Savings (Mid-December, ~December 11-14)

• Last-Chance Shopping (December 14-20)

• After-Christmas Clearance (December 26-31)

Expected promo code volume: 7-8 codes (second or third-highest monthly total)

Cyber Week (December 1-7) extends Black Friday/Cyber Monday pricing for an additional week, targeting shoppers who missed Thanksgiving weekend. Discounts typically match Black Friday levels (40-60% off sitewide) with replenished inventory.

Mid-December sales (December 14-20) emphasize gift-appropriate merchandise with 30-50% off, though discounts rarely exceed Black Friday pricing. The value proposition shifts from depth of discount to availability for last-minute shoppers.

After-Christmas Sale (December 26-31, 2026) represents the year's final major clearance event:

• 60-80% off holiday merchandise

• 60-70% off winter apparel

• Additional percentage-off-clearance promotions layered on top

• Ideal for next-year planning or personal winter purchases

What to buy: Gifts by Cyber Week (Dec 7) for Black Friday pricing, post-Christmas clearance for winter apparel and 2027 holiday décor

What to skip: Mid-December purchases unless emergency gifts—Black Friday had better prices, After-Christmas will too

Category-specific timing recommendations for Kohl’s

When NOT to shop Kohl's

Early spring (April) and early fall (September before Labor Day): New seasonal merchandise at full price—wait for major sale events

Mid-summer without promotions (mid-June): Between Memorial Day and Fourth of July, promotional activity moderates

Early-to-mid November before Black Friday: Kohl's reduces promotional intensity—wait 2 weeks for far superior Black Friday deals

Mid-December for gifts: Black Friday had better prices, and you're paying for last-minute convenience rather than value

Your 2026 Kohl's shopping roadmap

Kohl's 2026 calendar rewards patient, informed shoppers who time purchases around predictable promotional peaks. Our analysis of 126 promotional events across 24 months reveals a retailer operating a sophisticated multi-tiered system: major holiday sales (Black Friday, Memorial Day, Labor Day), structured events (Credit Events, Friends & Family, Customer Appreciation), and consistent Kohl's Cash cycles create year-round opportunities for 50-70% compound savings.

Five essential strategies for 2026:

1. Mark five peak shopping periods: Presidents' Day (Feb 13-17), Memorial Day (May 22-25), Labor Day (Sep 4-7), Black Friday Week (Nov 20-27), After-Christmas (Dec 26-31)

2. Leverage structured events: Quarterly Credit Events provide 30% cardholder discounts on major purchases, while bi-annual Friends & Family sales offer rare access to excluded premium brands

3. Master Kohl's Cash mechanics: Earn during elevated-rate periods ($15-20 per $50), redeem during new earning windows, structure purchases to hit $50 thresholds for maximum certificate earnings

4. Stack promotional mechanics: Combine sale prices (40-60% off) + cardholder codes (30% additional) + Kohl's Cash earning (20-30% effective) for 70-90%+ total savings during peak windows

5. Category-specific timing: Buy winter apparel after Christmas (60-70% off), summer apparel in July (60-70% off), bedding on Presidents' Day (50-60% off), small appliances on Black Friday (40-60% off)

By following this data-driven calendar and employing strategic stacking techniques, households can consistently save 40-70% off Kohl's purchases while maintaining quality, selection, and seasonal relevance. Kohl's predictable promotional rhythm rewards shoppers who plan purchases around peak discount periods rather than buying at full price whenever needs arise.

How we forecast this data: SimplyCodes ShopGraph data tracked every promotional code release by Kohl's across 24 months (January 2024-December 2025), documenting 126 verified codes and dozens of major sale events. Our 2026 projections are based on recurring seasonal patterns, confirmed 2026 holiday dates, and Kohl's established promotional strategies including Credit Events, Friends & Family sales, and Kohl's Cash cycles.