Target Hiring Event 2026: Dates, Stores, Pay and How to Apply

Quick answer: The Target hiring event 2026 runs at 248 stores in 17 states, mostly on October 17 and 18, 2026, with some stores adding October 24 and 25 or dates into November. Target is hiring seasonal store and supply chain workers, with day-one benefits; in metro Atlanta, seasonal pay starts at $15 to $24 an hour.

Key takeaways

• Target lists holiday recruiting events at 248 stores in 17 states, and 207 of them recruit on both October 17 and 18, 2026.

• Pennsylvania (65 stores) and New York (55 stores) have the most event locations, and Target does not list event start or end times.

• Seasonal roles cover checkout, stocking, online order fulfillment, Starbucks, style, beauty and tech, with added pay for early morning and overnight shifts.

• In metro Atlanta, Target said seasonal starting pay is $15 to $24 an hour as it plans 2,300 seasonal hires there.

• Apply only through corporate.target.com/careers and Workday; Target never asks for payment, gift cards or banking details.

The Target hiring event 2026 schedule is out: Target has posted holiday recruiting events at 248 of its stores across 17 states, with most of them set for Saturday, October 17, and Sunday, October 18, 2026. A smaller group of stores follows on October 24 and 25, and a handful of locations in North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina keep recruiting into November. If you want a seasonal paycheck before the holidays, the October 17 and 18 weekend is the biggest single window on the list.

Below you will find the dates by state, the jobs on offer, what Target says about pay and day-one benefits, and a step-by-step plan for walking in prepared. One detail Target does not publish on its events page is the start and end time of each event, so confirm hours with your local store before you go.

When is the Target hiring event 2026?

Most stores on Target's list hold their recruiting event on October 17 and 18, 2026. That exact pairing covers 196 of the 248 listed stores, and 11 more stores include both days in longer schedules. The other stores use different dates:

• October 17 and 18: the main weekend, used by every listed store in New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Florida, Delaware, West Virginia, Vermont and Georgia, most stores in Pennsylvania, Virginia and New Jersey, and five of Maryland's 12 stores.

• October 24 and 25: seven stores in Maryland, seven in Pennsylvania and three in New Jersey.

• October 17 and October 24: all six listed stores in Maine and all seven in New Hampshire.

• Single days: six Wisconsin stores, mostly in the Madison area, recruit on October 17 only; Marshfield, Stevens Point and Wausau recruit on October 24.

• Extended runs: ten North Carolina stores and the Danville store in Virginia list ten dates from October 17 to November 22. In South Carolina, Hilton Head lists eight dates between October 10 and November 8, and Mount Pleasant lists October 10 and October 24.

Which states and stores are holding events?

Target's list is concentrated on the East Coast, plus Wisconsin. Pennsylvania (65 stores) and New York (55 stores) have by far the most locations, which together make up nearly half of the list.

• Pennsylvania: 65 stores

• New York: 55 stores, including Manhattan Union Square, Manhattan Soho, Tribeca, Upper West Side 61st & Broadway, Atlantic Terminal, Flushing and Staten Island

• Virginia: 19 stores

• Massachusetts: 17 stores, including Boston South Bay and Boston Dorchester Fields Corner

• New Jersey: 13 stores

• Maryland: 12 stores

• Connecticut and Florida: 11 stores each (Florida locations include Lake Mary, New Tampa, St. Augustine and two Orlando stores)

• North Carolina: 10 stores (Durham, Greensboro, High Point, Winston-Salem and nearby towns)

• Wisconsin: 9 stores

• New Hampshire: 7 stores

• Maine: 6 stores

• Delaware: 5 stores

• West Virginia: 4 stores

• South Carolina: 2 stores

• Georgia and Vermont: 1 store each

If your state is missing, you are not shut out. The events page is a list of in-person events, not a list of where Target is hiring. Seasonal openings at other stores are posted on Target's seasonal job search, and the company says it runs more than 2,000 stores and over 60 supply chain facilities.

What seasonal jobs is Target hiring for?

Target is filling store and supply chain roles. On its seasonal careers page the company lists openings in these areas:

• Guest services and checkout

• Early morning and overnight inbound (unloading and stocking)

• Fulfillment of online orders

• Food and beverage, and Starbucks

• Style, beauty, tech and general merchandise departments

Target adds that early morning and overnight shifts come with added pay. Supply chain seasonal workers move products to stores and customers, which is the closest thing to a warehouse job in Target's holiday mix.

How much do Target seasonal jobs pay?

Target does not post one national seasonal wage, but its metro Atlanta numbers give a useful benchmark: $15 to $24 an hour. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that range on October 8, 2026, based on information Target shared with the paper, as a company spokesperson said Target plans to hire 2,300 seasonal workers for its metro Atlanta stores.

WSB-TV in Atlanta reported that pay within that range depends on the role and location. Your written offer in Target's Workday system will show the exact position, pay and benefits, according to Target's hiring process page.

What benefits do seasonal workers get?

Seasonal team members get benefits from their first day, according to Target. The company lists:

• A 10% team member discount at Target stores and Target.com

• 20% off wellness products and 20% off adult owned-brand apparel and accessories

• Free 24/7 virtual care and mental health support

• Quick access to earned pay and flexible schedules

WSB-TV also reported backup childcare services among the day-one perks. Target notes that eligibility can vary by position, hours worked and length of service, and that benefits can change.

How do I apply for a Target seasonal job?

Apply online through Target's careers site, then use the hiring event to meet the store team. Every Target application goes through Workday, the company's applicant tracking system. Here is a practical order of steps:

1. Find your store's date. Check the holiday recruiting events page and note your store and date. Call or visit the store to confirm hours, because event times are not listed.

2. Apply before the event. Search seasonal jobs on Target's careers site and submit your application in Workday. You can type in your work history, upload a resume, reuse an earlier Target application or pull details from LinkedIn. A resume is encouraged but not required.

3. Know your availability. Some applications ask for your work availability or a short skills assessment. Be honest and specific, and remember that Target pays extra for early morning and overnight shifts.

4. Prepare for a short interview. Target uses phone, virtual, in-person and recorded video interviews. Have two or three quick examples ready about customer service, teamwork and reliability.

5. Complete the pre-hire steps quickly. Offers are contingent on a background check run by Accurate Background after you accept. If your job needs a drug screen, Target says it must be done within 24 hours of accepting the offer, so bring a government-issued photo ID.

6. Track your status. Log in to your Workday Candidate Homepage and check "My Applications" for updates and pending tasks.

Can a Target seasonal job become permanent?

Yes, and many do. Target says more than half of its seasonal store team members from last year kept working for the company after the holidays, as reported by WSB-TV. If you want to stay on, tell your team lead early, ask about shifts after January, and treat attendance during the peak weeks as your audition.

How can I avoid fake Target job offers?

Treat any message that asks for money or banking details as a scam. Target's own fraud page says the company never asks for payment, gift cards or banking information during recruiting. Use these checks:

• Real Target recruiter emails come from an @target.com address.

• All open roles are posted on corporate.target.com/careers, and applications are submitted only through Workday.

• Be wary of "recruiters" who contact you by text, Telegram or social media only and push you to apply outside the official site.

• No genuine employer charges application, training, equipment or background-check fees up front, or sends you a check to deposit for equipment.

• Report suspicious messages on the platform where you received them, such as LinkedIn, Indeed or Facebook.

What this means for job seekers

The Target hiring event 2026 weekends are a chance to skip the waiting game: apply online, then show up and put a face to your application. Event dates are fixed and most fall on a single weekend, so applying online now and marking your store's date gives you the best chance of being considered early. If you also want options beyond Target, compare other employers in our guide Holiday Jobs 2026: Who's Hiring Seasonal Workers Now, and if you are short on experience, see How to Write a Resume With No Experience.

Last updated: October 10, 2026

Frequently asked questions

When is the Target hiring event in 2026?

Most Target stores on the company's list hold their holiday recruiting event on October 17 and 18, 2026. Some stores in Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey recruit on October 24 and 25, while stores in Maine and New Hampshire use October 17 and October 24.

Do I need to apply online before a Target hiring event?

Applying online first is the smart move, because every Target application is submitted through its Workday system. The event lets you meet the store team and learn about open roles, but your application still needs to be in Workday.

How much does Target pay seasonal workers in 2026?

Target has not posted one national seasonal wage. In metro Atlanta, a company spokesperson said seasonal starting pay is $15 to $24 an hour, and Target says early morning and overnight shifts earn added pay.

Do Target seasonal employees get benefits?

Yes. Target says seasonal team members get benefits from day one, including a 10% discount, free 24/7 virtual care and mental health support, and quick access to earned pay. Eligibility can vary by role and hours.

Does Target drug test or run background checks for seasonal jobs?

Target offers depend on passing a background check run by Accurate Background after you accept. Certain jobs also need a drug screen, which Target says must be completed within 24 hours of accepting the offer.

Can a Target seasonal job turn into a permanent job?

It can. Target says more than half of last year's seasonal store team members stayed with the company after the holidays.

How do I know a Target job offer is real?

Real Target recruiters email from an @target.com address, and all jobs are posted on corporate.target.com/careers. Target never asks for payment, gift cards or banking information while recruiting.