- Black Friday 2026 is Friday, November 27 — the day after Thanksgiving, and one of the busiest shopping days of the year in downtown Burlington.
- Float On is at 136½ Church Street, on the Church Street Marketplace in Burlington, VT — open seven days a week, and late ('til midnight) on Fridays.
- Beat the crowd: build your order on the [live menu](https://floaton.dispensary.shop) and pick it up under your name, come early or later in the evening, and expect a busy Marketplace.
- Adult-use cannabis is 21+ and private-use only — bring a valid photo ID, and remember public consumption isn't permitted anywhere in Vermont.
Black Friday turns downtown Burlington into one of the busiest stretches of the year. The Church Street Marketplace fills with shoppers, the garages back up, and every counter in town — Float On included — sees more foot traffic than a normal Friday. None of that has to mean a long wait. A little planning turns a Black Friday stop into a quick errand on your way through downtown. Here's what to expect and how to time it right.
When is Black Friday in 2026?
Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving. In 2026, Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, so Black Friday is Friday, November 27, 2026. It's the traditional kickoff to the holiday shopping season, and downtown Burlington is busy that whole weekend — but the Friday itself is the peak.
Why is the term "Black Friday"?
The name has a Burlington-friendly, crowd-based origin: it was coined by police in 1960s Philadelphia to describe the heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic that jammed downtown the day after Thanksgiving, as shoppers and visitors poured in. Retailers later leaned into the name for the shopping rush, but at its root it's a phrase about crowds and gridlock — which is exactly what to plan around on Church Street.
How busy will downtown Burlington be?
Plan for a crowd. Between holiday shoppers, out-of-town family in for the long weekend, and the Marketplace's usual downtown draw, Church Street is at its fullest on Black Friday. Sidewalks are packed, nearby garages fill early, and lines form at counters that are quiet on an ordinary Friday. The good news: it's a pedestrian block, so once you're downtown, getting to 136½ Church Street is a short walk from anywhere on the Marketplace.
How can I plan ahead and skip the line?
The single best move is to order ahead. Build your order on the live menu before you head downtown, and the team will set it aside under your name for a quick pickup — no browsing the shelves while the shop is full. Our order-ahead pickup guide walks through the whole flow if it's your first time.
- Order ahead and pick up. It's the fastest path through a busy day — you skip straight to the counter.
- Time it around the rush. Come right at opening or later in the evening, not during the midday peak.
- Park with a plan. Downtown garages fill up fast on Black Friday — know where you're headed before you arrive.
- Bring a valid 21+ photo ID. Everyone gets carded at the door, every visit, no exceptions.
If you're driving in, our Church Street Marketplace parking guide covers the nearest garages and the walk to the shop. New to dispensaries altogether? What to expect your first time covers the visit start to finish.
When is Float On open on Black Friday?
Float On is open seven days a week, including Thanksgiving weekend. Regular hours are Monday–Wednesday 8:30am–9pm, Thursday 8:30am–10pm, Friday 8:30am–midnight, Saturday 9:30am–midnight, and Sunday 9:30am–9pm. Because Black Friday is a Friday, the shop is open late — until midnight — which gives you a wide window to come outside the daytime crowd. Holiday hours can shift, so if you're timing a visit tightly, it's worth a quick call to confirm before you head out. The store sits right on the bricks at 136½ Church Street — see our downtown Burlington guide to get oriented on the Marketplace.
What should I know before I go?
A few Vermont basics keep a busy-day visit easy. Cannabis here is strictly for adults 21 and up, so bring a valid government-issued photo ID — you'll be carded at the door every time. It's private-use only: public consumption is not permitted anywhere in Vermont, so it stays sealed for the trip home, not for Church Street, the waterfront, or a car. And what you buy can't legally cross state lines, even into a neighboring state. Keep everything in its original child-resistant packaging and away from kids and pets.
One more thing that makes checkout simple: the price you see on the menu is the final, all-in price — Vermont's cannabis tax is already included — so there's nothing extra to work out at the counter, even on the busiest day of the year.
What's the smart way to shop Black Friday at Float On?
Treat it like any busy holiday errand: decide what you want before you go, lock it in on the menu, and time your trip around the crowd rather than into it. Browse the live menu, set your order aside for pickup, aim for opening or the late-evening window, and bring your ID. Do that, and Black Friday is a quick stop on Church Street — not a line you're stuck in while downtown Burlington bustles around you.