May sales are here, and we’ve rounded up what to buy!

We’re sharing the latest May sales! Download our convenient and FREE calendar printable to know what to buy in May before the best sales end!

Here is a list of notable May sales:

On May 1st, 2nd or 3rd, kids can build a free mini LEGO kit at participating Barnes & Noble stores.  

Mark your calendars! On May 1st-3rd, select Barnes & Noble stores are hosting a free LEGO Star Wars Build Event! This event is designed for kiddos ages 10 and up, but all ages are welcome.

To register for your child’s spot, search for your local store’s event, and call them to reserve a spot. Note that select locations may also offer reservations online.

Ends May 2nd: Bring your unwanted car seat to Target’s Car Seat Trade-In Event and receive a 20% off coupon.

Through May 2nd, bring your unwanted car seat to the store and look for a big recycling box near the front of the store for Target Car Seat Trade In. Discard your old seat in the box and scan the barcode on the sign with your phone to load a 20% off Circle Bonus to your account.

Your 20% off discount can be used right away on a new car seat, booster seat, car seat base, travel system, stroller, or other select baby gear in-store and online through May 16th, 2026. AND you can use it twice! 😱

Grab FREE comic books on May 2nd. 

May 2nd is Free Comic Book Day, and local shops are giving out free comics! To find a participating shop near you, enter your zip code into the Free Comic Book Day Store Locator and head to our Free Comic Book Day post for more details.

On May 4th, you won’t have to travel to faraway galaxies to score deals if you’re a Star Wars fan.

Each year on May 4th, Star Wars fans celebrate one of the most beloved movie franchises ever. Retailers always get in on the fun too, offering various Star Wars-themed sales, products, and promotions.

In previous years, we saw deals on discounted apparel and toys at Disney and Amazon, deals from LEGO to Vera Bradley, and more. May the 4th be with your wallets, my friends!

Keep your eyes peeled for 2026 Star Wars Day sales.

FREE kids workshops at The Home Depot & Lowe’s

The Home Depot and Lowe’s both host Free Kids Workshops every month. Pre-registration online is required.

Get to Lowe’s early on May 9th for FREE flowers!

Mark your calendars! On Saturday, May 9th, at 10 AM local time, Lowe’s will give a free spring flower to the first 200 MyLowe’s Rewards members at each store! This hot freebie will be gone quickly, so you’ll want to head to your store early. What a fun way to kick off Mother’s Day weekend! 🌸

Read all the Lowe’s flowers freebie details!

Shop Mother’s Day deals before May 10th.  

Speaking of Moms, Mother’s Day is on May 10th, so expect to see some Mother’s Day sales and deals if you need a gift! These usually include an array of discounts on items like cards, jewelry, flowers, plants, gift sets, chocolates, and more. We also expect to see lots of restaurant freebies as Mother’s Day approaches.

Stay in the know on the best restaurants for Mothers Day dinner and current jewelry deals for 2026!

Psst… we also created this FREE printable coupon book, which would make a great gift idea for Mom!

Shop Memorial Day May sales at the end of the month. 

Memorial Day 2026 is Monday, May 25th! Every year, select restaurants and retailers mark this occasion with special sales, deals, and promotions. There are also often a number of freebies and other promotions for military members and their families. If you’re among this group, we thank you for your service!

Save on refrigerators, tools, and outdoor supplies leading up to Memorial Day. 

Historically, we’ve seen hot Memorial Day sales start in the first half of May at Lowe’s and The Home Depot. You can score big savings on supplies for lawn and garden products, household items, big appliances, patio furniture, and more. As a bonus, sometimes these sales run well into the beginning of June, too.

Keep your eyes peeled for the Lowe’s Memorial Day Sale and Home Depot Memorial Day Sale to save big during May!

May also has offers themed towards these national holidays:

Teacher Appreciation Week is in May and always comes with freebies and great deals.

Teacher Appreciation Week 2026 runs Monday, May 4th, through Friday, May 8th. Many restaurants and retailers will be showing their appreciation for our country’s hard-working educators everywhere by offering up some great teacher appreciation freebies and special deals.

In recent years, we’ve seen deals like up to 80% off school supply deals on Amazon, 6 free cookies from Insomnia Cookies, 25% off at Alo Yoga and Athleta, and so much more!

Check out our HUGE list of teacher discounts available in 2026 from food to school supplies, clothing, and more!

Nurse Appreciation Week is also in May, and should be lots of freebies. 

National Nurse Appreciation Week 2026 will run from Wednesday, May 6th, through Tuesday, May 12th. In appreciation of their service to others, many businesses honor nurses and other healthcare workers through deals and freebies.

We’ve seen deals like free Chipotle burritos, free Insomnia cookies, BOGO free ice cream at Marble Slab Creamery, and even discounts on car washes!

Keep your eyes peeled for all the official nurse appreciation week freebies you can score in 2026!

On Cinco de Mayo, you can score plenty of delicious deals on Mexican cuisine. 

Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for “5th of May”) is a celebration of Mexico’s 1862 victory over French invaders. Today, many restaurants and retailers like to observe this holiday by offering deals on specially-themed food and beverages.

In the past, we’ve seen irresistible deals like free tacos from California Tortilla and Taco Bell, tons of deals on drinks, and free delivery at popular places like Chipotle. In addition to Mexican cuisine deals, you can also expect to see great prices on piñatas and other colorful decorations.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mouth-watering Cinco de Mayo restaurant specials & spicy deals for 2026 coming soon!

National Hamburger Day is May 28th, so get your comfy pants ready.

Burgers are America’s most iconic food, and Americans consume 50 BILLION of them a year, so it’s only right that this delicious and savory meal has its very own day. Check your favorite burger joints for the best deals and freebies on this day. Last year, burger places like Burger Fi, Burger King, Steak n’ Shake, McDonald’s, and more were all offering freebies or deals that were impossible to pass up!

Bookmark our National Hamburger Day deals to know when the 2026 deals are live!

Don’t miss these other notable free & cheap things in May 2026:

Shop May’s seasonal produce to score the best prices.

When you shop seasonally, you’re likely to get the best prices on products – especially if you’re shopping at your local farmer’s market.

Know the best time to buy EVERYTHING ELSE year-round!