Artificial Christmas tree deals 2026: when prices really drop
Updated October 17, 2026. Prices are from camelcamelcamel (Amazon-sold price) and store dates are from each store's official page. Each check is timestamped below. Prices change, so check before you buy.
We post price-history checked deals, 20%+ below the usual price, clearly labeled; we only call it a glitch when it's verified. Here's what the price history says about trees this year.
What the price history shows
| Tree | Lowest (date) | Highest (date) | Average | Latest Amazon price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Tree Co. 7.5ft Pre-Lit Winchester Pine Slim | $77.99 (Feb 11, 2026), before this week | $184.99 (Oct 3, 2026) | $138.85 | $54.58 (Keepa, Oct 17, 2026, 2:16am UTC), a new low |
| National Tree Co. 7.5ft Pre-Lit Dunhill Fir | $99.99 (Dec 9, 2025) | $734.99 (Mar 17, 2019) | $352.51 | $385.99 (Oct 15, 2026) |
| National Tree Co. 4ft Pre-Lit Everyday Mini | $61.75 (Jul 25, 2024) | $179.99 (Mar 19, 2026) | $134.07 | $125.33 (Oct 16, 2026) |
Source: camelcamelcamel pages for Winchester Pine, Dunhill Fir and Everyday Mini, checked October 17, 2026, 02:19 to 02:21 UTC.
The lows landed in early December, February and late July. In mid-October, all three are near or above their averages, so October is rarely the cheapest month.
Usual price vs peak price: the Winchester example
The Winchester Pine's highest Amazon price was $184.99 on October 3, 2026. Its average is $138.85. If a listing shows $184.99 as the "retail" or "was" price, a sale at $139 looks like 25% off. Measured against the usual price (the average), it isn't a discount at all. That's why we compare against the usual price, not the peak.
Our Winchester Pine deal page has the full check, and see the current price at Amazon (affiliate link). For more on spotting inflated "was" prices, read how to tell if a deal is real.
Store sale dates we could confirm
| Store | What the official page says | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Lowe's | Seasonal savings start Oct. 29; 12 Days of Deals start Nov. 16; biggest Black Friday savings Thanksgiving week; December Deal Drops Dec. 3 to 24. (Lowe's newsroom) | Oct 17, 2026, 02:17 UTC |
| Home Depot | Black Friday deals start Nov 4, per homedepot.com, checked Oct 17. Store hours are posted: closed Thanksgiving (Thu, Nov. 26); open 6 a.m. Black Friday (Fri, Nov. 27). (Home Depot holiday hours) | Oct 17, 2026, 04:15 UTC (sale start); 02:17 UTC (hours) |
| Balsam Hill | Best Price Promise: from Sept. 1, 2026 to Jan. 31, 2027, select trees "will be at their best price for the season", with "No additional discounts for Black Friday or Cyber Monday". Applies to 8 listed models only. (Balsam Hill help page) | Oct 17, 2026, 02:19 UTC |
If you buy early at Home Depot, its 30-day price adjustment may help if the price drops later. See our price match policies guide. Store pages: Home Depot, Lowe's.
Buying a pre-lit tree: what to check
- Compare the sale price with the usual price (the average), not the "was" price.
- Check the light type (LED or incandescent) and the warranty on the lights.
- Check that the height and width fit your room. Slim trees like the Winchester are narrower.
- Keep your receipt for a price adjustment if the price drops.
Shopping clearance too? See after-Halloween clearance 2026.
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FAQ
When do artificial Christmas trees go on sale?
There is no single date. In the camelcamelcamel histories we checked, one tree hit its Amazon low in early December, one in February and one in late July. Store sales are announced store by store: Lowe's savings start Oct. 29, 2026, its 12 Days of Deals start Nov. 16, and December Deal Drops run Dec. 3 to 24.
Is a pre-lit tree cheaper on Black Friday?
Sometimes, but not always. Balsam Hill says its Best Price Promise trees will not be reduced from September 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027, and that there are no extra Black Friday or Cyber Monday discounts on them.
What is the difference between the usual price and the peak price?
The usual price is what an item typically sells for, such as its price-history average. The peak price is the highest it has reached. A "was" price that is really the peak makes a discount look bigger than it is.
Is a cheap tree price a mistake?
Usually not. Most big drops are ordinary sales. We only call something a glitch when it is verified.
Disclosure: the Amazon link above is an affiliate link. If you buy through it we may earn a commission at no cost to you. See our disclosure. Store links are plain links.