It’s not your imagination, retail stores really are opening earlier than ever before for Black Friday  – a day that’s supposedly the best day of the year to shop for the biggest bargain. However, this year, it would appear more appropriate to name the shopping holiday “Black Thursday”.

A majority of big box retailers are starting the holiday shopping season right on Thanksgiving Day - a new trend that we've been inching closer to every year. If you’re willing to take a pass on Thanksgiving dinner at home in order to score a a big bargain, then you won't want to miss out on all the great offers below - we've rounded up the best of the best being offered by all of your favorite stores. For those of you who want to keep with tradition and head out the day after Thanksgiving, not to worry - you'll still be able to find some great deals on Black Friday, and throughout the weekend. And for those of you who want to avoid the shopping rush all together, there are Cyber Monday Deals that come after that!

Be sure to check the LongIsland.com Black Friday Deals Guide regularly - we’ll be updating you on additional Black Friday sales and savings as they're announced, so that you don't have to miss out on any of the bargains this holiday season!

Retailers Opening on Thanksgiving Day to Kick Off Black Friday:

• Best Buy – 6 PM
• JCPenney – 8 PM
• Kmart – 6 AM (remaining open for 41 hours straight until 11 PM on Friday)
• Kohl’s – 8 PM
• Macy’s – 8 PM
• Old Navy – 9 AM to 4 PM, 7 PM
• Sears – 8 PM
• Target – 8 PM
• Toys R Us – 5 PM
• Walmart – 6 PM

Where The Steals & Deals Are: We pulled out some great offers from Black Friday circulars! Make sure to check the circulars yourself (links above) for additional details on any restrictions or specific hours for the offers. 

• Apple Products:
  • Apple: Up to $101 off Macbook Pro and Macbook Air. Only certain locations are opening on Thanksgiving Day.
  • Best Buy: Save $50 to $70 on iPad Air. Receive discount of $100 on 16GB iPad 2.
  • Target: iPad Air for $479, but it’ll be like paying $379 with the receipt of a $100 gift card with the purchase. iPad Mini or iPod Touch purchase comes with a $75 gift card.
  • Walmart: First-generation iPad Mini for $299, but it’ll be like paying $199 with the receipt of a $100 gift card with the purchase. iPhone 5S or 5C purchase with two-year contract comes with a $75 gift card. Be sure to take advantage of the 1-Hour In Stock Guarantee.

• Smartphones and Tablets
  • Best Buy: LG G2, $24.99 with new contract (regular price $199.99); Samsung Galaxy S4 for free on-contract (regular price $199.99); Kindle Fire HD 7-inch 2012, $99.99 (regular price $199.99); Microsoft Surface RT 32GB, $199.99 (regular price $349.99).
  • Sears: Samsung Galaxy Tab3 10.1”, $299.99.
  • Walmart: Samsung Galaxy S4, $99 on-contract; Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1, $299.
  • Staples: Samsung Galaxy S4, $0.01 on-contract; Google Nexus 7, $199; Microsift Surface RT w/ keyboard, $249

• Televisions and Home Theater
  • Best Buy: Sony Smart Wi-Fi Blu-ray Player, $54.99 (regular price $89.99); Samsung 65-inch 1080p 240Hz Smart TV, $1,997.99 (regular price $2,499.99); LG 55-inch LED 1080p 240Hz TV, $599.99 (regular price $999.99).
  • Sears: Sharp 50” class 1080p 120Hz Smart HDTV, $749.99; Seiki UHD LED 4K Ultra HD 55”, $849.99; LG 47” LED 1080p HDTV, $469.99.
  • Target: Samsung 55-inch 120Hz 1080p LED HDTV, $697.99 (regular price $899.99); Vizio 47-inch 1080p LED HDTV, $379.99 (regular price $519.99).
  • Walmart: Vizio 70-inch 1080p 120 Hz Smart TV, $998; Samsung 46-inch 1080p Smart LED HDTV, $497.

• Gaming Systems
  • Best Buy: PlayStation 3 bundle with The Last of Us and Batman: Arkham Origins, $199.99; Xbox 360 250GB bundle with Tomb Raider, Batman: Arkham City, Halo 4, and Darksiders II, $189.99.
  • Target: Xbox 360 4GB Kinect Bundle with Kinect Sports and Kinect Adventures, $189.99 (regular price $299.99); Nintendo 3DS XL, $149.99 (regular price $199).
  • Walmart: Nintendo 2DS, $99.

• Cameras
  • Best Buy: Nikon D7000 with 18-140mm lens for $799.99 (regular price $1,599.99); Nikon Coolpix S800c, $129.99 (regular price $349.99).
  • Sears: Canon T3i DSLR, $549.99.
  • Target: Nikon D3200 with 18-55mm and 55-200mm lenses, $499.99 ($799.99 value); Canon A3500 digital camera, $79 (regular price $159.99)
  • Walmart: Nikon D5100 bundle with 18-55mm and 55-200mm lenses, $499; GoPro Hero 3, $199.
     
• Home Appliances
  • Best Buy: LG Steam Washer or Steam Dryer, $599.99; Samsung 3.9 cu. Ft. 11-cycle High-efficiency steam front loading washer, $699.99; Samsung 25.5 cu. Ft. French door refrigerator, $1,199.99; Frigidaire Gallery 30” Self-Cleaning Freestanding Gas Convention Range, $649.99; Dyson Desk Fan, $149.99.
  • JCPenney: Cuisinart 12-cup coffeemaker, $37.99; Extra 25% off all Dyson vacuums, $239.99 to $479.99; KitchenAid artisan 5-qt. stand mixer, $299.99 after $50 mail-in rebate; Keurig K-cup Brewer K45 Elite, $99.99.
  • Sears: Kenmore 25-cu. Ft. refrigerator, $1299.99 (regular price $2,599.99); Kenmore  Electric Self-Clean Range with TurboBoil, $699.99 (regular price $1,249.99); LG 3.6-cu. Ft. washer or 7.3 –cu. Ft. dryer, $699.88 (regular price $999.99 each); Dyson DC50, $374.99 (regular price $499.99).
  • Target: Dyson DC24, $259; Dyson DC35 Digital Slim, $199.
  • Walmart: Ninja Single Serve Blender, $39; Keurig K70 Platinum Brewing System, $169 plus purchase comes with $10 gift card.
     
• Toys
  • JCPenney: Disney mini plush toy, $4.99; Disney classic doll or figurine set, $7.99; Remote-control helicopter or truck, $17.99.
  • Kohl’s: Discovery Kids digital photo camera, $19.99; Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Baby Grand Piano, $36.99.
  • Target: LEGO City Forrest Police Station, $50;Hot Wheels Mega Loop Mayhem Track Set, $25; New Bright RC Mudslinger Truck, $15; Lalaloopsy Hair Doll, $27; Razor Folding Kick Scooter, $19; Baby Einstein Boxed Toys, $9.99.
  • Toys R Us: Skylanders SWAP Force Starter Pack, $37.99; Leap Frog LeapPad 2 Explorer, $39.99; Leap Frog Leapster GS Explorer, $29.99; Hot Wheels R/C Terrain Twister Vehicle, $49.99; Fisher-Price Little People Disney Princess Song Palace, $24.99Polaroid 7” Internet Kids Tablet with Android 4.0, $69.99.Plus if you spend $75 or more on Nov. 28 or 29, you get a $10 gift card for use towards your next purchase.
  • Walmart: Sesame Street Elmo  Hugs, $44; Little Tikes Playhouse, $80; Leap Frog LeapPad 2.0, $54; Hot Wheels 9 Pack, $5; Thomas & Friends Motorized Engines, $10; 31” Giant Superman or Batman Figure, $20; Cra-Z-Art 3-in-1 Art Easel, $14.97.

• Pets
  
  Has your little one been asking for a pet? Make this holiday season extra special. Save-A-Pet Animal Rescue and Adoption Center in Port Jefferson Station is hosting “Black Cat Friday.” Adoption fees are waived on Black Friday (Nov. 29 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) for the adoption of black and black-and-white cats.

Gift-giving this holiday season is going to be made easy with all these great steals and deals. Remember to check back here again for updates on new sales around Black Friday. Also, be on the lookout for the Cyber Monday Guide! We've also got some great tips for Surviving Black Friday for those of you who haven't braved the big crowds and long lines in years past - these tricks will help you get in, get out, and get done with holiday shopping!

For those of you who prefer to shop locally, don't forget to check out our Small Business Saturday Shopping Guide, featuring the scoop on some great local businesses that will be offering special deals for shoppers on November 30th this year.

Have a hot tip on a great sale happening on Black Friday? Let us know!