Black Friday used to be the day shoppers circled on the calendar for holiday deals. Then came Thanksgiving store openings, weeks of November promotions and sales that started creeping into October. Now, Target is kicking off the holiday toy season with a free teddy bear keychain before Black Friday has even arrived.
The retailer’s Nov. 7 Holiday Kick Off With Toys event will give shoppers a free Holiday Bear keychain while supplies last. The event also features toy demonstrations and activities designed to help families get a head start on their holiday wish lists.
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The timing makes sense. According to Attentive’s 2026 holiday shopping survey, 71% of consumers plan to start shopping before Black Friday, while 46% begin before November. Retailers have plenty of reason to get their holiday promotions in front of shoppers early.
How to get Target’s free holiday bear keychain
The event runs from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, at participating Target stores. Shoppers can find the promotion on Target’s official holiday page, while The Krazy Coupon Lady’s Target event guide provides additional details.
Here’s what to know before heading out.
When: Saturday, Nov. 7, from noon to 4 p.m.
Where: Participating Target stores. Check the official store locator for local information.
Cost: Free, with no purchase required.
Limit: One keychain per guest, while supplies last.
Age requirements: Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
The event also includes a demonstration of the new LEGO Christmas Stocking, opportunities to try Puppetronic Pikachu and the Mini Brands Tiny Vinyl Player in the toy department, and ideas for holiday wish lists.
The giveaway is first come, first served, and not every location necessarily participates. Checking the local store’s event details before making a trip could save shoppers a wasted drive.
Target is kicking off the holiday season in early November with free plush bear keychains.Bloomberg / Getty Images
Target is getting an early start on holiday shopping
The giveaway comes as Target ramps up its holiday offerings. In an Oct. 21 announcement, the retailer said it was introducing more than 8,000 new holiday gifts, with thousands priced at $5 or less.
Target also plans to offer a Deal of the Day every day from Nov. 1 through Dec. 24, with early Black Friday deals running Nov. 5-7. The free keychain event falls on the final day of that early deal window.
There’s also a timely reason to put toys in the spotlight. U.S. toy dollar sales rose 17% in the first half of 2026, the strongest first-half growth in six years, while unit sales increased 12%, according to Circana. Adult-only households accounted for 55% of toy sales, reflecting demand that extends well beyond children.
Black Friday has become a shopping season
Target has used free giveaways to attract shoppers on Black Friday, too. In 2025, the retailer offered limited-edition holiday totes to the first 100 guests in line at each store, with 10 shoppers per store receiving additional prizes valued between $99 and $350.
The promotion was part of Target’s broader effort to turn Black Friday into a multi-day shopping event. In its November 2025 announcement, Target Chief Commercial Officer Rick Gomez said, “Our guests are starting their holiday shopping earlier than ever, so we’re turning Black Friday into a multi-day celebration made just for them.”
This year, Black Friday falls on Nov. 27, but retailers are already competing for holiday spending weeks ahead of the date. The National Retail Federation expects holiday retail sales to reach $1.013 trillion in November and December, up 4.2% from 2025.
Target’s free bear keychain isn’t a Black Friday doorbuster. It’s an early holiday promotion aimed at getting shoppers into stores while they’re still building their gift lists. And with holiday shopping starting earlier each year, even a small freebie can give families one more reason to stop by.
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