The KCL team loves treasure hunting during holiday clearance sales. At the end of every holiday season, we search through the Target Christmas clearance section for all the lowest-priced finds.
If you’re looking to score the biggest bargains of the season, there’s no better time to shop for Christmas decor than in the days after Christmas (and even before, like we're seeing in 2024). And even though shopping for holiday items is probably the last thing on your mind after Dec. 25 comes and goes, you can save up to 90% on gift wrap, ornaments, artificial trees, and more for next year. At Target, you’ll find plenty of items on clearance that you can use throughout the year, like Pj's, slippers, makeup, skincare products, and more.
Even better, the Christmas clearance runs right along with the Target Semi-Annual Toy Sale, which starts in late December and goes through January. This is when you’ll see up to 70% off clearance toys in stores — and save an extra 5% with your Circle Card.
To help you score the best Christmas clearance deals at Target, here's their full schedule of holiday clearance markdowns, plus expert tips for saving even more on Target deals after Christmas.
Breaking News: Target hit 70% off Christmas clearance on Dec. 18!
Unheard of this early in the season, some shoppers in Wisconsin are already reporting seeing 70% off Target Christmas clearance items as of Dec. 18, 2024. This is a surprising markdown since most stores don’t hit 70% off until after Christmas.
If you’re near a Target, head there ASAP to check out the deals for yourself — and don’t forget to scan items, as markdowns might not be marked on the shelf.
Our Favorite In-Store Christmas Clearance Deals at Target:
Target Christmas clearance is an annual multi-week event where you can buy seasonal items for 30% – 90% off.
Target Christmas clearance kicks off every year starting in mid- to late December and runs through the first week of January. In 2024, we found 70% off as early as Dec. 18 in Wisconsin.
Target typically starts holiday markdowns at 30% off, but discounts quickly climb to as much as 90% off by the end of the sale.
Note: Clearance timing can vary by location, so check your store for updates. Most Christmas clearance is gone within 24 - 48 hours after hitting 90% off.
Related: Your Complete Guide to the Target Clearance Schedule
Target Christmas clearance started in select stores on Dec. 18, 2024.
Target’s Christmas clearance usually follows a predictable pattern, making it easy to plan your post-holiday shopping. But in 2024, Target surprised us with 70% off starting on Dec. 18 — throwing the usual timeline out the window.
Typically, discounts begin at 30%, jump to 50% the day after Christmas, and often hit 70% within a week. If stock lasts, select items may even reach 90% off in early January.
Keep in mind, not all stores go to 90%. Some stop at 70% and send leftover items to Target salvage stores.
Typical Target Christmas Clearance Markdown Schedule
Not all Target stores mark down Christmas clearance items at the exact same time, but there’s a general timeline you can follow to plan your shopping:
Dec. 20: 30% off (15% off food)
Dec. 26: 50% off (30% off food)
Jan. 1: 70% off (50% off food)
As discounts increase, inventory gets slim, so timing is everything. While last year we found more Christmas clearance items at 70% off than 50%, it required checking multiple Target stores daily. That’s not typical, but it can pay off if you’re up for the hunt.
KCL TIP: Shop early for the best selection. However, if you’re hunting for rock-bottom prices, hold out until January — but be prepared for slim pickings.
The best time to shop for Target Christmas clearance is when discounts hit 70% off.
The best time to shop Target Christmas clearance is when discounts hit 70% off, typically around Dec. 29 - Jan. 1. That's the sweet spot of the sale.
Shopping too early (30% or 50% off)? You’ll pay more. Wait too long (90% off)? Slim pickings. Timing your trip just right ensures you save big while still finding a variety of items to choose from.
The best Christmas clearance deals at Target are gift wrap, Pj's, and lights.
Some of the must-buys during Christmas clearance at Target include gift wrap, string lights, and matching family pajamas.
KCL TIP: Just because something is 90% off doesn’t mean you need it. Focus on items you’ll actually use, whether for next Christmas or throughout the year. Last year, we found $0.30 ornaments and gift bags, artificial trees for $1.50, and matching Pj's for $3.
Tips for Shopping Target Christmas Clearance
Check Target.com for Christmas clearance deals.
Target clearance shopping almost always requires a trip to the store. That’s where you’ll find the deepest discounts for 70% – 90% off. But if you’re still recovering from a Christmas feast coma, you can shop a few seasonal clearance deals on Target.com too.
We’ve seen online clearance deals for 30% off holiday throw blankets, with prices starting at $6.65. Or you might find a small collection of Studio McGee holiday items for 30% off, including faux greenery, pillows, tree toppers, and tree skirts.
Buy Target clearance toys after Christmas to save up to 70%.
Holiday knickknacks aren’t the only items Target needs to offload after Christmas. The Target Semi-Annual Toy Clearance runs right alongside their Christmas clearance, with up to 70% off top toys in stores.
You can expect the Semi-Annual Toy Clearance to run through most of January — so keep a close eye on those clearance shelves in and around the Target toy section in the new year.
Look for Christmas clearance deals on skincare and makeup too.
All those Target beauty items that make great stocking stuffers also get deep discounts after Christmas. You’ll save up to 70% on products you can use year-round.
A few days after Christmas, be sure to check the clearance shelves and the endcaps of aisles around the Target beauty section at your store to see what’s been marked down.
Buy Target gift cards in early December at 10% off; then use them to pay for Christmas clearance items.
The Target Gift Card Sale happens every year during the first weekend in December. It’s a 2-day sale where all Target gift cards are 10% off the face value. That means you’ll save $5 on $50 gift cards, $10 on $100 gift cards, and $50 on $500 gift cards.
If you’re planning to do some after-Christmas clearance shopping, grabbing Target gift cards for 10% off during the sale is a great way to lock in bigger savings. When the Christmas clearance hits 70% off, you can use the gift cards on all your top finds to sweeten the savings even more.
Stop by the Target Dollar Spot for Christmas clearance finds under $5.
Did you know that all those low-priced finds for $5 and under in the Target Dollar Spot go on clearance too?
Mini Christmas trees, throw pillows, pinecones, tabletop decor — you name it. Clearance items in the Dollar Spot can reach up to 90% off.
At some stores, Dollar Spot clearance items get moved to the Christmas clearance shelves, but you’ll get the same savings either way.
Bring your Christmas clearance finds to the in-store scanner to double-check the price.
Those bright yellow Target clearance tags don’t always show the current price, and some items may be even cheaper than marked. Occasionally, clearance items get a second or third markdown in the system, but the stickers aren’t updated on the shelves.
While shopping for Christmas clearance items, bring your finds to an in-store price checker at Target, and scan your items to double-check the current price — you may unlock even lower prices you didn’t know about.
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