For serious shoppers, Black Friday is the trickiest day of the year. There are few experiences more defeating than heading out for a hyped-up sale to find that it ended hours ago or that stock was wiped out in the first hour. That’s why it makes all the difference to do some ahead-of-time planning: During what hours are the steepest discounts available? Which neighborhoods are worth our precious pre-sunrise time? Use this list as a rough guide to which local favorites are offering the most money-saving deals and when. And if you can’t brave the cold at 6 in the morning, take comfort in the fact that Cyber Monday is looming—stay tuned for our online guide. Happy shopping!
Through December 3, Ada Polla’s DC-born skin-care line will be 30 percent off online with code FF2013 at checkout.
Deals at this Bethesda jewelry shop vary throughout the day, with the largest discounts offered from 8 to 9, when the entire store is discounted 50 percent. Deals drop to 20 percent off after 11. 4806 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda.
This Old Town beauty boutique will offer deals as early as 6 AM: Everything is 20 percent off from 6 to 8, and afterward, discounts range from 10 to 15 percent. At the Mosaic District location, score 10 percent off all day. 1000 King St., Alexandria; 2910 District Ave., Fairfax.
Get 30 percent off storewide from 6 to 8 AM; 20 percent off from 8 to 10; and 10 percent off through closing on Friday. 815 King St., Alexandria.
Like surrounding Old Town shops, Coco Blanca opens at 6 AM with 40 percent off furniture and rug orders and 30 percent off all other items. Discounts dip gradually until 6. 210 S. Union St., Alexandria.
In stores and online Friday, the cult-fave salon will offer Joy to the Hair coasters, good for a blowout and a ten-minute scalp massage for $40 (a $10 discount). 4840 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda; 1825 Wisconsin Ave., NW.
The earlier you make it to this Bethesda spot, the better: Score 40 percent off storewide from 9 to 10 AM, and 30 percent off from 10 to 11. After that, all items are 20 percent off through the weekend. 7114 Bethesda La., Bethesda.
With an extra 40 percent off all sale items, total savings can add up to 70 percent here this Friday. 3300 M St., NW.; 2001 International Dr., McLean.
Now through Monday, all items in stores and online are half off—and selling out quickly! 241 Fort Evans Rd., NE, Leesburg.
Neiman Marcus Last Call Studio
From 10 to noon, everything in the store will be marked down 40 to 60 percent. 1601 Rockville Pike, Rockville; 2905 District Ave., Fairfax.
On Friday only, score a $15 gift card with any $100 purchase. 1800 L St., NW; 5333 Wisconsin Ave., NW; 8027 Leesburg Pike, Vienna.
This preppy boutique’s entire fall collection will be discounted up to 50 percent this Friday; remaining spring and summer items will sell for 75 percent off. Also, you can score a free Lily Market tote when you spend $50 on full-price merch. 4867 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda.
Doors open at 9 AM on Friday, at which time the entire store is discounted 30 percent. Discounts drop gradually to 20 percent throughout the day. 7134 Bethesda La., Bethesda.
Score shoes and accessories from such high-end brands as Hunter and Tory Burch at a 30-percent discount from 6 to 8 AM; discounts drop gradually to 10 percent thereafter. 127 S. Fairfax St., Alexandria.
Buy one accessory at this high-end Georgetown boutique—such as a scarf or winter boots—and get one half off all day Friday. 1525 Wisconsin Ave., NW.
From Black Friday through New Year’s Eve, all accessories at the popular homewares shop are 20 percent off. 7117 Arlington Rd., Bethesda.
