How to use it
Print it or share it with your team, and work through it phase by phase. Each phase has a window: the build work belongs in October, testing in early November, and from 20 November the theme stays frozen so nothing breaks while traffic peaks.
The key-dates table covers every market you might be selling into, from Diwali in India on 8 November to Boxing Day in Canada, the UK and Australia. Marketplace sale dates are set by their organisers, so confirm those before you schedule campaigns.
The checklist pairs with our Shopify BFCM 2026 Playbook, which explains the reasoning behind each phase. If the list turns up more than your team can take on before the freeze, our conversion rate optimisation team can help you prioritise.