Mayfaire opens 7 a.m. Black Friday, Nov. 27, and closes Thanksgiving. Downtown meters are free Nov. 26-28 for Small Business Saturday. Hours, parking.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Hours come from each shopping center’s own website; parking rules from the City of Wilmington. We do not list deals or prices from stores.

Black Friday is Nov. 27, 2026, and Small Business Saturday is Nov. 28. Mayfaire has posted its holiday hours through New Year’s Day: closed Thanksgiving, open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Black Friday. Downtown, the city does not enforce parking meters Thursday through Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, so street parking is free for Small Business Saturday.

Who to call

  • Mayfaire management: 910-256-5131
  • Independence Mall: 910-392-1776
  • Downtown parking (Park Wilmington): 910-762-5678
  • Emergency: 911

Mayfaire

Mayfaire, the outdoor center at 6835 Conservation Way off Military Cutoff Road, has more than 100 stores and 20 restaurants. These are the center’s posted special and holiday hours; individual stores may vary:

Date Mayfaire hours
Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 26 Closed
Black Friday, Friday, Nov. 27 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 28 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 29 Noon to 6 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 12 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sundays, Dec. 6, 13 and 20 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Monday through Saturday, Dec. 14-23 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25 Closed
Saturday, Dec. 26 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
New Year’s Eve, Thursday, Dec. 31 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
New Year’s Day, Friday, Jan. 1 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

On other days, Mayfaire’s normal hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Overnight parking is not allowed, the center’s visitor page says.

Independence Mall

Independence Mall, 3500 Oleander Drive, lists regular hours of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, and says individual store and restaurant hours may vary. It had not posted Black Friday or Christmas hours on its hours page when we checked. The mall is being redeveloped from an enclosed mall into an open-air center, its website says, so check before you go. Call 910-392-1776.

Small Business Saturday downtown

Small Business Saturday, the shop-local day after Black Friday, is Saturday, Nov. 28. Downtown’s shops, galleries and restaurants are spread along Front Street, Market Street and the Riverwalk.

Parking. The city’s parking page says:

  • No meter enforcement on Thanksgiving weekend, Thursday through Saturday, or on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
  • Meters are always free after 6:30 p.m. and all day Sunday.
  • From Oct. 3 through Dec. 26, the Market Street deck (115 Market St.) and 2nd Street deck (114 N. Second St.) charge a flat $5 on Saturdays, with the first hour still free.
  • Decks are open 24 hours a day. Questions: Park Wilmington, 910-762-5678.

Holiday markets

  • Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens, 224 Market St., holds a Holiday craft market as one of its four seasonal markets, with about 30 local and North Carolina artists and artisans in the garden and visitor center, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and free to attend. The 2026 date was not on the house’s calendar when we checked; call 910-762-0570.
  • More markets, including the Riverfront Farmers Market, are on our farmers markets page.

Traffic and timing

  • Holiday Parade, Sunday, Nov. 29: Front Street closes from Walnut Street to Church Street at 5 p.m. for the 6 p.m. parade. Details: our Christmas parade and tree lighting page.
  • Buses: Wave Transit runs no service on Thanksgiving and runs shortened hours on Christmas Eve (6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in 2025), its holiday page says.
  • Trash week: city collection moves to Wednesday, Nov. 25, for Thanksgiving and Wednesday, Dec. 23, for Christmas. See trash and recycling.

What this means for you

  • Mayfaire is closed Thanksgiving Day; Black Friday doors open at 7 a.m.
  • Park free on downtown streets Thursday through Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend.
  • Mayfaire stays open until 9 p.m. in the last full week before Christmas, Dec. 14-23.

Related: Thanksgiving, holiday lights and Christmas events and new businesses.

Frequently asked questions

What time does Mayfaire open on Black Friday 2026?

Mayfaire lists 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 27. The center is closed on Thanksgiving Day. Individual stores may set their own hours.

Is Mayfaire open on Christmas Eve?

Yes, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 24. It is closed Christmas Day and reopens 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26.

Is downtown Wilmington parking free on Small Business Saturday?

On-street meters are not enforced Thursday through Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, the city says. Through Dec. 26, the Market Street and 2nd Street decks charge a flat $5 on Saturdays, with the first hour free.

What are Independence Mall’s hours?

Independence Mall lists 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. It had not posted Black Friday hours when we checked.