Stock Market Holidays: When Markets Are Closed

Understanding when the stock market is closed is essential for any investor or trader. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ observe the same holidays and close for trading on these days. Knowing the market schedule helps you plan trades, avoid missed opportunities, and understand why certain days see no trading activity.

This guide covers all stock market holidays, early market closures, and how holidays can affect stock prices and trading strategies.

Standard Stock Market Holidays

The stock market is closed on the following federal holidays:

New Year's Day - January 1st (or the following Monday if it falls on a weekend)
Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Third Monday in January
Presidents Day - Third Monday in February
Good Friday - Friday before Easter Sunday
Memorial Day - Last Monday in May
Juneteenth - June 19th
Independence Day - July 4th (or the following Monday if it falls on a weekend)
Labor Day - First Monday in September
Columbus Day - Second Monday in October
Thanksgiving - Fourth Thursday in November
Christmas Day - December 25th (or the following Monday if it falls on a weekend)

Early Market Closures

In addition to full-day closures, the stock market closes early on certain days:

Day Before Thanksgiving

The market closes at 1:00 PM Eastern Time on the day before Thanksgiving (Wednesday). This is the only regular early closure day.

Christmas Eve

If Christmas Eve falls on a weekday, the market typically closes at 1:00 PM Eastern Time. However, if it falls on a weekend, there is no early closure.

How Holidays Affect Stock Trading

Stock market holidays can impact trading in several ways:

Reduced volume: Trading volume often decreases in the days leading up to holidays as investors prepare for the closure
Increased volatility: Lower volume can lead to more volatile price movements
Position adjustments: Traders may close or adjust positions before long weekends
News accumulation: When markets reopen after holidays, there may be pent-up reactions to news that occurred during the closure

Planning Your Trades Around Holidays

Smart investors plan ahead for market holidays:

Check the market calendar before placing time-sensitive trades
Be aware of early closures that might affect your trading strategy
Consider that options expiration dates may be adjusted around holidays
Plan for reduced liquidity in the days before major holidays

Frequently Asked Questions

What days is the stock market closed?

The stock market is closed on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

Is the stock market open on holidays?

No, the stock market is closed on federal holidays. The NYSE and NASDAQ observe the same holidays and are closed for trading on these days.

What time does the stock market close?

The stock market closes at 4:00 PM Eastern Time on regular trading days. On early closure days (like the day before Thanksgiving), the market closes at 1:00 PM ET.