Holiday seasonal jobs are still out there in 2026, but there are fewer of them, and the best shifts go fast. According to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, retailers added 461,500 jobs in the last quarter of 2025, the smallest seasonal gain since 2008. The firm expects roughly 450,000 this year as stores lean on automation and their existing workers.

That means waiting until Thanksgiving is a mistake. Here is who has confirmed 2026 hiring, who is still expected to announce, and what to know about pay, taxes, and turning a holiday gig into a real job.

Holiday seasonal jobs 2026: who’s hiring

We only list 2026 plans a company has confirmed. Several of the biggest names had not announced numbers as of September 29, 2026. Where that is the case, we say so and show what they did last year, clearly labeled.

Details behind the list: Michaels announced its plan on September 10, 2026, and said nearly 50% of seasonal in-store roles converted to regular positions last year. Macy’s, Inc. announced its nationwide hiring push on September 24, 2026, with applications at macysJOBS.com, bloomingdalesJOBS.com and bluemercuryJOBS.com, plus a recorded interview option for Macy’s roles. Kohl’s seasonal careers page lists 2026 openings for store and distribution associates.

For the companies still quiet, last year is a useful guide. Amazon’s 2025 announcement came on October 13, 2025, covering 250,000 full-time, part-time and seasonal positions, with 2025 seasonal pay averaging over $19 an hour. Target’s 2025 seasonal starting wages ran $15 to $24 an hour depending on role and location. If those companies post 2026 numbers by mid-October, their own newsrooms will have them first.

How to apply fast and get picked

• Apply on the company’s own careers site. Third-party job boards can lag or repost old listings.
• Show up to hiring events. Macy’s said its first 2026 event included on-the-spot interviews and job offers, and later events are a chance to be seen in person.
• Lead with availability. Nights, weekends, early mornings and the week of Thanksgiving are what managers need most.
• Have your ID ready. Every new hire completes Form I-9. Bring one List A document like a passport, or a List B document like a driver’s license plus a List C document like a Social Security card.
• Apply to three or four places at once. With fewer openings, a backup offer protects your holiday budget.

Pay, overtime and taxes: what seasonal workers should know

Seasonal employees have the same basic wage protections as everyone else. Under federal law, covered workers must get time and a half for hours over 40 in a workweek. Holiday premium pay is a different story: the Labor Department notes the federal wage law does not require extra pay for holidays, so ask what your employer offers before you sign up for Christmas Eve.

A few tax moves can save you a headache in April:

• Fill out your W-4 carefully. A second job can push you into underwithholding. The IRS Tax Withholding Estimator can generate an updated W-4.
• Track overtime. Under the 2025 tax law, the IRS says workers can deduct the premium half of qualified overtime, up to $12,500 a year ($25,000 for joint filers), even without itemizing. Income limits apply.
• Gig work is different. Delivery and shopping apps usually treat you as a contractor with no taxes withheld. The IRS says gig income must be reported even if you never receive a tax form, so set aside part of every payout.

Tax rules can hinge on your whole household picture, so a VITA volunteer or tax professional is worth a quick check if you pick up several jobs. For more year-end deadlines, see our Q4 money checklist for Black families.

How to turn seasonal into permanent

Conversion is real but not automatic. Michaels’ near 50% conversion rate is a strong sign, and Amazon has said seasonal hires go on to become managers, trainers and leaders. The workers who stay usually do three things:

• Tell your manager in week one that you want to stay after the holidays.
• Say yes to cross-training on registers, receiving or online order pickup.
• Stay reliable through the last week of December, when many seasonal workers disappear.

Know your rights on the job, too. Our explainer on Black workers’ rights after the Tesla racism trial covers how to document problems and where to report them.

Remote and seasonal customer service roles

If standing on a warehouse floor is not an option, look for work-from-home customer service. Amazon’s customer service team page describes full-time and part-time roles with remote options, including virtual customer service associates. Other retailers and call center contractors may add remote agents for holiday volume. Expect to need a quiet workspace and reliable internet.

Remote listings are also where scammers hide. The FTC warns that honest employers never ask you to pay to get a job, and it flags “reshipping” jobs and deposit-a-check schemes as common tricks. Never buy equipment with your own money for a promised reimbursement, and apply only through a company’s official site. Report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

The season is shorter on openings this year, not on opportunity. Apply early, apply widely, and treat the interview like the start of something longer.