Black Friday sales begin early this year, with some stores opening on Thanksgiving for what's being dubbed "Gray Thursday."

Here is a list of some stores opening early in Bellingham. Many coffee places near the stores will open earlier than normal on Friday as well.

Starting Thursday, Nov. 22:

7 a.m. Big Lots! (open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., then open 6 a.m. Friday, Nov. 23).

4 p.m. Michaels (open 4 to 11 p.m., then open 7 a.m. Friday).

8 p.m. Walmart, Sears, Kmart.

9 p.m. Target.

11:30 p.m. Main doors open at Bellis Fair; a majority of stores within the mall open at midnight.

Midnight: Best Buy, Kohl's, Macy's.

5 a.m. Fred Meyer, DeWaard & Bode, Lowe's, Home Depot.

6 a.m. Jo-Ann Fabrics, Bed Bath & Beyond, JC Penney, OfficeMax.

7 a.m. Harbor Freight Tools, PetSmart, Rite Aid.

Fairhaven holds an afternoon-focused holiday festival on Black Friday. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be greeting visitors from 3 to 4:45 p.m. in the gazebo at the corner of Harris Avenue and 10th Street; bring your camera for photos. The annual tree lighting is at 5 p.m. on the Village Green, followed by the Holiday Art Walk until 8 p.m.

Reach DAVE GALLAGHER at dave.gallagher@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2269.