Every year there are a few holidays in the United States and the United Kingdom when the stock market is closed for trading beyond just the weekends. That means trading on the London Stock Exchange, New York Stock Exchange, and Nasdaq Exchange is put on pause. Holidays can last for an entire day or only part of one. It ultimately depends on the exchange.
While there are some similarities, stock market holidays in the US and UK are slightly different.
What are the rules for stock market holidays?
For traders, stock market holidays need to be taken into consideration, especially when investing in short-term securities that can be volatile. For long-term buy-and-hold investors, it’s less of a concern. But it may still have an impact on an investment strategy.
Fortunately, trading holidays are scheduled well in advance, giving investors plenty of time to factor them in. And usually, they only occur on significant national holidays, allowing individuals to take part in the celebrations without having to worry about their portfolios.
If a scheduled holiday falls on the weekend, then the Friday before or the Monday after will be the day when the stock market gets a break. And in some situations, the day before a stock market holiday will only be open for trading for half the day.
What days are the stock markets closed for a holiday from 2022 to 2025?
The table below outlines the currently scheduled stock market holidays across 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
| Holiday | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Stock Markets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year Day | 3 January | 2 January | 1 January | 1 January | NYSE, NASDAQ, LSE |
| Martin Luther King Jr Day | 17 January | 16 January | 15 January | 20 January | NYSE and NASDAQ |
| Washington Day | 21 February | 20 February | 19 February | 17 February | NYSE and NASDAQ |
| Good Friday | 15 April | 7 April | 29 March | 18 April | LSE, NYSE and NASDAQ |
| Easter Monday | 18 April | 10 April | 1 April | 21 April | LSE |
| Early May Bank Holiday | 1 May | 29 May | 27 May | 26 May | LSE |
| Late May Bank Holiday | 2 June | 29 May | 27 May | 26 May | LSE |
| Memorial Day | 30 May | 29 May | 27 May | 26 May | NYSE and NASDAQ |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | 19 June | 19 June | 19 June | 19 June | NYSE and NASDAQ |
| Independence Day | 4 July | 4 July | 4 July | 4 July | NYSE and NASDAQ |
| Summer Bank Holiday | 29 August | 28 August | 26 August | 25 August | LSE |
| Labour Day | 4 September | 4 September | 2 September | 1 September | NYSE and NASDAQ |
| Thanksgiving Day | 24 November | 23 November | 28 November | 27 November | NYSE and NASDAQ |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | 25 December | 25 December | 25 December | LSE, NYSE and NASDAQ |
| Boxing Day | 26 December | 26 December | 26 December | 26 December | LSE |
When does the stock market normally open or close?
The open trading hours of stock exchanges vary from country to country. In the United Kingdom, the London Stock Exchange opens at 8.00 am and closes at 4.30 pm (GMT) Monday through Friday.
On the other hand, on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, trading hours are 9.30 am through 4.00 pm (ET), Monday to Friday. In British time, these opening hours are 2.30 pm through 9.00 pm.
However, stock transactions can still be carried out before the opening bell and after the closing bell by using Electronic Communication Networks (ECNs). These are effectively an alternative trading method compared to using a broker, where buyers and sellers can be matched directly even if the main stock market exchanges are closed.
ECNs allow investors to react to pre-market or after-market news. However, these platforms can be complex and more costly to execute orders, making it more challenging to calculate a break-even point.
FAQs
Is the stock market open between Christmas and New Year’s?
The stock market is closed on Christmas and New year’s day. Where these days fall on weekends, the next trading day is declared as a stock market holiday to mark the day. In addition, the London Stock Exchange is closed on the 26 December to celebrate boxing day.
Is the stock market open on Easter Monday?
The London Stock Exchange is closed on Easter Monday. However, the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are open as usual.
Is the stock market open on Black Friday?
The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are open on Black Friday. However, they often close earlier than the usual 4.00 pm closing time. The London Stock Exchange is open as usual.
On which holiday is the US stock market closed?
The US stock market is closed on the following holidays:
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King Jr Day
- Washington Day
- Good Friday
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth National Independence Day
- Independence Day
- Labour Day
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas Day
On which holiday is the US stock exchange’s shortened day?
The US stock exchange closes early on the following days:
- The day before Independence Day
- The day after Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Eve
On which holiday is the UK stock market closed?
The UK stock market is closed on the following holidays:
- New Year’s day
- Good Friday
- Easter Monday
- Bank Holidays
- Christmas Day
- Boxing Day
On which holiday is the UK stock exchange’s shortened day?
The UK stock exchanges close earlier than the regular close time on the following days:
- Christmas Eve
- New Year’s Eve
The bottom line
Investors need to be aware of upcoming stock market holidays to ensure their investment strategies won’t be interrupted by unexpected surprises. It’s less of a concern for long-term investors. But active daily traders need to pay close attention to make sure they don’t end up holding volatile short-term securities longer than expected.
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This article contains general educational information only. It does not take into account the personal financial situation of the reader. Tax treatment is dependent on individual circumstances that may change in the future, and this article does not constitute any form of tax advice. Before committing to any investment decision, an investor must consider their individual financial circumstances and reach out to an independent financial advisor if necessary.
