AliExpress Sale Dates: The Full Event Calendar (and How to Prepare)
Quick answer: AliExpress runs a handful of major sales every year — the Anniversary Sale (late March), Summer Sale (June–July), 11.11 Singles' Day (early–mid November, the biggest), and 12.12 (early December) — plus smaller monthly events like Choice Day. Exact dates shift each year, so confirm on the live event page before planning a big order.
Key takeaways
- Four tentpole sales drive the deepest AliExpress discounts; 11.11 is the largest.
- Smaller recurring events (Choice Day, brand days) fill the gaps month to month.
- The best strategy is to clip coupons in advance and check out the moment the sale opens.
- Dates move slightly each year — treat any calendar as a guide, not a guarantee.
The AliExpress sale calendar (typical timing)
| Sale | Typical timing | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| New Year / Winter Sale | Early January | Clearance after 12.12 |
| Spring / 3.28 Sale | Late March | Often merged with the Anniversary Sale |
| Anniversary Sale | Late March | One of the year's biggest coupon drops |
| Summer Sale | June–July | Mid-year platform coupons and flash deals |
| Back-to-School | August–September | Electronics and accessories focus |
| 11.11 Singles' Day | Early–mid November | The largest sale of the year |
| 12.12 | Early December | Year-end clearance codes |
On top of these, Choice Day (often around the start of the month) and rotating brand/category days run throughout the year with smaller but frequent discounts.
Which sale should you actually wait for?
- Biggest overall savings: 11.11. Plan large or bulk orders around it.
- Mid-year top-up: the Summer Sale, if you can't wait until November.
- Early-year buying: the Anniversary / 3.28 Sale in late March.
- Frequent small needs: Choice Day and monthly brand days — no need to wait months.
How to prepare so you don't miss the discount
- Build a wishlist early. Add items in the weeks before — sellers often pre-load sale prices.
- Clip coupons in advance. Seller, store, and platform coupons can be collected before the sale starts. See our guide to AliExpress coupon codes for how they stack.
- Check out early. Popular items and limited coupons sell out in the first hours.
- Confirm shipping cut-offs. Sale-period volume can slow dispatch — factor it into your timelines.
For dropshippers: timing sourcing around sales
If you resell, big sales are a chance to restock winners at a lower cost — but customer demand often rises at the same time, so order earlier than usual to avoid stockouts and shipping delays. Stacking a sale price with a coupon, and a cashback tool such as Refundy on top, lowers your per-unit cost across the restock.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next AliExpress sale?
It depends on the month — the next tentpole is usually the closest of the Anniversary (late March), Summer (June–July), 11.11 (November), or 12.12 (December). Smaller Choice Day events also run monthly. Check the live AliExpress homepage for the current event.
Is 11.11 really the cheapest time to buy?
For the widest selection and deepest coupons, yes — 11.11 is the biggest event. But specific items can be cheaper during category-specific brand days, so compare if you're buying one product.
Do AliExpress sale prices come back after the event?
Often the discount ends with the sale, though some sellers keep promotional pricing. If a price is good during a sale, it's usually safest to buy then.
Can I use coupons during a sale?
Yes — sale prices and coupons generally stack, which is why preparing coupons in advance pays off. See the coupon guide for details.
Image: "Business Calendar & Schedule" by photosteve101 is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
AliExpress sale dates change each year — always confirm on the official event page before planning a purchase.