Market Closures for Christmas Holiday Season

As the holiday season approaches, investors and traders are preparing for adjusted trading schedules across major U.S. financial markets. Both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will see market closures, though with some nuanced differences in trading hours.

Christmas Eve Trading Schedule

On Monday, December 24, U.S. stock markets will operate on a shortened trading schedule. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq will close early at 1:00 PM Eastern Time, rather than the usual 4:00 PM closing. This early closure allows market participants to prepare for the Christmas holiday while maintaining limited trading availability for those needing to make year-end adjustments.

Christmas Day Market Closure

Tuesday, December 25 marks a complete market closure for Christmas Day. All major U.S. stock exchanges, including the NYSE and Nasdaq, will remain closed throughout the day. This follows the standard practice of closing financial markets on federal holidays, ensuring market professionals can observe the holiday with their families.

Planning Your Trading Strategy

Financial advisors recommend that investors:

  • Review and adjust any time-sensitive trades before the early closure on Christmas Eve
  • Consider the impact of reduced liquidity during shortened trading sessions
  • Monitor international markets that may remain open during U.S. holidays
  • Prepare for potential volatility when markets reopen on December 26

The bond market will follow a similar schedule, with early closure on Christmas Eve and full closure on Christmas Day. Electronic trading platforms may offer limited after-hours access, but volume is typically significantly reduced during holiday periods.