The KCL team loves treasure hunting during holiday clearance sales . So at the end of every holiday season, we search through the Target Christmas clearance section for the lowest-priced finds.
Even though shopping for holiday items is probably the last thing on your mind after Dec. 25, you can save up to 90% on gift wrap, ornaments, artificial trees, and more for next year. And at Target, you’ll find plenty of items on clearance beyond holiday staples, like pajamas, slippers, makeup, skincare, and more.
Even better, the Christmas clearance runs right along with the Target Semi-Annual Toy Sale . This is when you’ll see 50% - 70% off clearance toys in stores.
To help you score the best Christmas clearance deals at Target, we have the full schedule of holiday clearance markdowns, plus expert tips for saving even more on Target deals after Christmas.
Target Christmas clearance is an annual multiweek event where you can buy seasonal items for 50% - 90% off.
Target Christmas clearance kicks off every year starting Dec. 26 and runs through the first day or two of January. In 2024, we found 70% off as early as Dec. 18 in Target stores in Wisconsin, but in 2025, we didn't see the same early deals.
Target typically starts holiday markdowns at 50% off, but those 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 (if it even gets that high).
KCL predicts the next Target Christmas clearance sale will start on Dec. 26, 2026 (if not sooner).
Target’s Christmas clearance usually follows a predictable pattern, making it easy to plan your post-holiday shopping.
We always see discounts start at 50% by Dec. 26 (if not a week earlier in select stores), then 70% within about a week. We saw 90% hit Jan. 7, but by Jan. 11 everything was removed from the shelves.
Keep in mind, not all stores go to 90%. Some stop at 70% and send leftover items to Target salvage stores.
Expected Target Christmas Clearance Markdown Schedule (2026)
Not all Target stores mark down Christmas clearance items at the exact same time, but here's a general timeline you can follow to plan your shopping, based on what Target did last year:
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Dec. 18: Up to 70% off limited items (usually the Wondershop brand) at certain stores
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Dec. 26: 50% off (30% off food)
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Jan. 4: 70% off (50% off food)
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Jan. 7 and Later: Up to 90% off what's left (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 Jan. 4 or later, but be prepared for limited inventory.
How to Spot Hidden Christmas Clearance at Target
Don’t just stick to the main clearance aisle. Some of the best Christmas clearance deals are hiding in plain sight around the store. Check endcaps first, especially around beauty, home, and seasonal aisles. Look closely at items labeled “Limited Edition” or “stocking stuffer,” plus anything with holiday packaging like Christmas trees, snowflakes, or red and green designs. Holiday-scented items are another big clue, even if they’re mixed in with regular products. If it looks festive, scan it. You’ll often find surprise markdowns that aren’t obvious at first glance.
KCL TIP: If an item is branded “Limited Edition” or “Stocking Stuffer,” or has obvious holiday colors, scents, or designs, scan it. Many of these items quietly drop to 50% - 70% off before being moved to the clearance section.
Tips for Shopping Target Christmas Clearance
1. The best time to shop for Target Christmas clearance is when discounts hit 70% off (around Dec. 29).
The best time to shop Target Christmas clearance is when discounts hit 70% off, typically around Dec. 29 – Jan. 4. That’s the sweet spot of the sale.
If you shop too early at 30% or 50% off, you’ll pay more. If you wait for 90% off, the inventory is usually picked over. Hitting the 70% off window gives you the biggest savings while still leaving plenty of items to choose from.
2. The best Christmas clearance deals at Target are plush blankets, gift wrap, stockings, and ornaments.
Some of the must-buys during Christmas clearance at Target include gift wrap supplies, monogram stockings, ornaments, and blanket sets.
Last year, we found $1.43 ornament sets (with 20 pieces inside), $1.43 gift wrap, $1.90 plush blankets, and even holiday-shaped cookie cutters priced as low as $0.19 each.
3. 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 like 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.
4. 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 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.
5. 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.
6. 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 Christmas clearance hits 70% off, you can use the gift cards on all your finds to sweeten the savings even more.
7. 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.
8. 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. We’ve seen plenty of Christmas clearance items ring up cheaper than the shelf tag, especially after a second or third markdown.
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