You've seen the red, white, and blue banners. They’re everywhere. Honestly, by the time May rolls around, the "Memorial Day Sale" signs start to feel like wallpaper. But here’s the thing about the memorial day sale macys typically runs: it’s actually one of the few times of the year where the "up to 60% off" tag isn't just marketing fluff. It’s the real deal, especially if you’re hunting for big-ticket home items or a complete wardrobe refresh before the humidity hits.
In 2026, the calendar is doing us a bit of a favor. Memorial Day falls on May 25. If Macy’s sticks to its usual playbook—and they almost always do—you can expect the official 2026 memorial day sale macys event to kick off on Wednesday, May 20. It usually runs right through the holiday Monday.
What’s Actually Worth Your Money?
Look, don’t buy a winter coat in May. Just don't. I know the "70% off clearance" sign is tempting, but you're better off focusing on the stuff that actually makes sense for the season.
Historically, the best values during this sale sit firmly in the "Home" and "Outdoor" categories. We’re talking about those massive 9-piece teak dining sets that usually cost more than a used car. During the sale, these often drop by $1,000 or more.
The Mattress Game
If you’ve been waking up with a sore back, this is your moment. Macy’s is weirdly aggressive with mattress pricing in late May. You’ll see brands like Serta, Sealy, and Beautyrest discounted by 50% to 60%. Sometimes they even throw in a "free" adjustable base, though "free" usually means you're still paying for delivery and setup.
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- Pro Tip: Always check the "Last Act" section first. It's the final clearance rack where prices are slashed to the bone. You won't find the newest models there, but the savings are astronomical.
Kitchen and Small Appliances
Vitamix blenders and Ninja air fryers usually see a decent dip. You might see a $400 blender drop to $299. It’s not "Black Friday" cheap, but it’s close enough that you won't feel buyer's remorse in six months.
The 2026 Strategy: Star Rewards and Stacking
Let’s be real—shopping at Macy’s without a plan is how you end up spending $50 on a "sale" shirt that’s actually $25 at a competitor.
The real magic happens with Star Rewards. If you’re a Bronze member (which is free to join), you get 1 point for every $1 spent. But during the memorial day sale macys often runs "Star Money Bonus Days." This is where things get interesting. Usually, you can earn $10 in Star Money for every $100 you spend.
Imagine you’re buying a $2,000 sectional.
That’s $200 back in Star Money.
You can use that $200 to basically "buy" the coffee table or new pillows for free a week later.
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Things to Avoid (Kinda)
Not every "deal" is a winner.
Sneakers and tech are often better in July. Why? Because that's when Amazon Prime Day happens, and Target and Walmart go to war with their own "Circle Week" or "Deals for Days" events. If you can wait eight weeks for those new AirPods or a laptop, you'll probably save an extra 10-15%.
Swimwear is another tricky one. It's definitely on sale during Memorial Day—usually 30% to 40% off—but the deep discounts happen in August when they're trying to clear out the summer stock for back-to-school gear. If you need a suit for your June vacation, buy it now. If you’re just "stocking up," wait until the leaves start to turn.
The Fine Print Nobody Reads
Macy's loves a "Savings Pass."
Usually, it’s an extra 15% or 20% off.
But—and this is a big but—it almost always excludes the stuff you actually want.
Cosmetics? Excluded.
Fragrances? Usually excluded.
Lego? Definitely excluded.
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If you see a "Limited-Time Special" tag, that's often the lowest the price will go, and coupons usually won't work on top of it. Don't waste your time trying to stack a 20% off code on a doorbuster; the computer will just laugh at you (digitally speaking).
Making the Most of the 2026 Sale
To truly win at the memorial day sale macys this year, you need to do three things before May 20:
- Clear your "My Wallet" in the app. Make sure your old, expired coupons are gone so you don't get confused at checkout.
- Measure your space. Every year, people buy beautiful outdoor sofas that don't fit on their balconies. Don't be that person.
- Check the "10 Days of Glam" crossover. Macy’s often runs a beauty event right before or during the Memorial Day window. If you need high-end skincare (think Clinique or Estée Lauder), check the daily deals. They usually offer one specific "hero product" at 50% off for 24 hours only.
The 2026 sale is basically a sprint, not a marathon. The best furniture colors and shoe sizes disappear by Saturday morning. If you see something you love on Wednesday night when the sale goes live online, grab it. Waiting until Monday is a gamble you’ll probably lose.
Final thought: Keep an eye on the "Star Money" expiration. It usually only lasts 30 days. If you earn a big chunk of rewards on Memorial Day, make sure you have a plan to spend it by late June, or you’re literally throwing money away.