Black Friday is Nov. 27, with a 7 a.m. start at The Shoppes at EastChase. Santa photos there run Nov. 14 to Dec. 24; Gather Montgomery is Nov. 28.

Last checked Nov. 1, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Store hours come from each center’s own website, events from the organizers and the City of Montgomery calendar. We list hours and events only; we do not list deals or prices.

Black Friday is Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, and Small Business Saturday is Nov. 28. The big shopping draw in Montgomery is The Shoppes at EastChase on the east side; downtown, the city’s Gather Montgomery craft festival and the first-Saturday Montgomery Street Market Trail keep the money local. Santa arrives at EastChase in mid-November.

Updated Nov. 1: EastChase now lists Santa photos through Dec. 24 and a 7 a.m. Black Friday start.

What this means for you

  • Black Friday hours: EastChase lists its Black Friday event from 7 a.m. Nov. 27. Full 2026 holiday hours were not posted on Nov. 1.
  • Small Business Saturday: Gather Montgomery, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 28.
  • Santa photos: EastChase, Nov. 14 to Dec. 24, from 11 a.m.
  • EastChase: 334-279-6046

The Shoppes at EastChase

The Shoppes at EastChase, 7274 EastChase Parkway, is a shopping center on the east side, with stores and restaurants.

  • Regular hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday; 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
  • Black Friday: the center’s Black Friday listing starts at 7 a.m. Friday, Nov. 27, with live radio remotes, giveaways and music.
  • Holiday hours: the center’s site still showed last season’s schedule on Nov. 1: closed on Thanksgiving, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Black Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. most days through Dec. 23, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, closed Christmas Day. We will update this page when the 2026 hours are posted.
  • Santa: Santa picture taking runs Nov. 14 to Dec. 24, 2026, starting at 11 a.m.
  • Christmas parade: EastChase lists its Christmas parade at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20. The city’s parade and tree lighting are on our Christmas parade and tree lighting page.

Individual stores set their own Black Friday hours; check each store’s website.

Small Business Saturday: Gather Montgomery

The City of Montgomery’s Gather Montgomery Fall Arts and Crafts Festival runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, the day after Black Friday. Expect handmade crafts, artisan goods, local farm products and cottage bakery items. The city lists the festival at Cramton Bowl; the tourism office’s listing gives the Patterson Field parking lot, 1255 Madison Ave. Check the city listing the week of the event.

Montgomery Street Market Trail

The Montgomery Street Market Trail is an open-air market strung along a walkable 1-mile route from Cottage Hill through downtown to Old Alabama Town. It runs 4 to 7 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month through December: Nov. 7 and Dec. 5. Expect small businesses and makers, kid zones and green spaces including the renovated Rotary Park.

Holiday markets already held

The Junior League of Montgomery’s annual Holiday Market ran at Cramton Bowl in mid-October, with more than 60 vendors. We will add its 2027 dates when the league announces them.

Parking and traffic

The city had not posted holiday traffic or parking plans when we checked. Downtown, city parking meters and kiosks are free on weekends and after 5 p.m. on weekdays, so Small Business Saturday parking costs nothing. On Black Friday before 5 p.m., pay at the meter, a kiosk or with the ParkMobile app. More on our getting around page.

More holiday guides

Frequently asked questions

When is Black Friday 2026?

Black Friday is Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, the day after Thanksgiving. Small Business Saturday is Nov. 28.

What are The Shoppes at EastChase hours?

Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Its Black Friday event listing starts at 7 a.m. Friday, Nov. 27. Its full 2026 holiday hours had not been posted on Nov. 1; last season it closed on Thanksgiving.

Where can I get pictures with Santa in Montgomery?

The Shoppes at EastChase lists Santa picture taking from Nov. 14 to Dec. 24, 2026, starting at 11 a.m. The Montgomery Zoo’s Christmas Lights Festival also has Santa visits from Dec. 1.

Is there a craft fair in Montgomery on Small Business Saturday?

Yes. The city’s free Gather Montgomery Fall Arts and Crafts Festival runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, with handmade crafts, farm products and cottage bakery goods.