The Holiday Clearance Calendar: When Christmas, Halloween, and Easter Items Hit 90% Off
Holiday and seasonal clearance is the most predictable markdown cycle in retail. Stores know exactly when they need to clear the floor for the next season, and the prices drop on a calendar you can plan around. The trick is timing your trip to the moment when discounts are deepest but inventory hasn't completely been picked over.
The two-stage seasonal markdown
Every seasonal category goes through the same arc:
- Week 1–2 after the holiday: 50% off. The crowds come in for this, but the savings aren't the deepest yet.
- Week 3–4 after the holiday: 70–80% off. Sweet spot. Selection still reasonable, prices serious.
- Week 5+ after the holiday: 90% off and final-clearance bins. Picked over, but if you're looking for a specific item you can score it for almost nothing.
The annual calendar
January — Christmas clearance
The biggest seasonal markdown wave of the year. Christmas decorations, wrapping paper, holiday-themed kitchenware, artificial trees, and seasonal candles all hit 50% by December 26, 70% by January 3, and 90% by mid-January. Target, Walmart, HomeGoods, and Michael's are the strongest stores for this. Buy wrapping paper and lights now for next year — they don't go bad.
February 15 — Valentine's Day clearance
The shortest clearance window of the year. Valentine's items are 50% off by February 15 and 75% off by February 20. By March 1 the section is gone. Heart-themed kids' goods, plush toys, candy displays, and seasonal decor all hit clearance fast because stores need the space for Easter.
March 25 to mid-April — Easter clearance
Easter follows the same pattern: 50% off the day after, 75% within a week, 90% within two weeks. Plush bunnies, Easter baskets, plastic eggs, and pastel-themed kitchenware are easy steals at the deep end. The Easter date floats each year — clearance starts the morning after.
July 5 — Fourth of July clearance
Patriotic decor, BBQ accessories, themed paper goods, and outdoor seasonal items hit 70% off within days. Walmart and Target are best. The fourth of July clearance window stays open into mid-July because back-to-school inventory isn't arriving until late July.
Late August — Summer clearance
The seasonal transition from summer to fall is the longest. Summer items (patio furniture, outdoor toys, swimwear, grills, beach gear) start dropping in early August and reach 75–90% off by Labor Day. Patio furniture in particular hits 60–70% off in late August — by far the best time to buy outdoor furniture for next year.
Mid-September — Back-to-school clearance
Backpacks, notebooks, dorm-room kitchenware, lunch containers, and school-supply staples hit 70% off about two weeks after school starts. Target and Walmart hit this hard. Stock up on basics for next year — pencils, glue sticks, and notebook paper don't expire.
November 1 — Halloween clearance
The second-biggest seasonal clearance window after Christmas. Costumes hit 50% off November 1, 75% off by November 5, and 90% off by November 10. Decor follows the same curve. Buy candy with caution — chocolate has a 6-month shelf life — but non-perishable Halloween items are easy stockpile candidates.
Late November — Thanksgiving clearance
Smaller clearance window because the Christmas season takes over immediately. Thanksgiving-themed paper goods, decor, and themed kitchenware hit 50–70% off the day after Thanksgiving. Worth a quick scan if you happen to be in the store anyway.
The "buy now for next year" play
Storing seasonal items costs almost nothing — a plastic bin in a closet. Buying at 90% off and storing for next year produces an effective return that beats almost any other shopping discount. The categories that work best:
- Wrapping paper, ribbon, gift bags (Christmas)
- Halloween costumes for kids (still fit a year later for many sizes)
- Lights, candles, ornaments (Christmas/seasonal)
- Patio furniture, grills (summer)
- Non-perishable school supplies (back-to-school)
Categories that don't work: anything edible (chocolate goes off), trendy decor (next year's aesthetic differs), kids' items that depend on size or interest.
Where to shop each window
- Christmas, Halloween, Easter, Valentine's → Target and Walmart for breadth; HomeGoods for unique decor; Michael's and Hobby Lobby for crafting
- Summer / outdoor → Lowe's, Home Depot, Walmart, Target for patio + grills; sporting goods stores for water/beach gear
- Back-to-school → Walmart and Target dominate; Staples for office supplies; Five Below for sub-$5 basics
For non-seasonal clearance timing, see our guides on Walmart's weekly markdown schedule, how often each major retailer restocks clearance, and the kids' toys clearance cycle.