Stock Market Hours on Christmas Eve and Other Holiday Closures
The stock market closes early on Christmas Eve
The stock market does not open at all on Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve, the market closes at 1 p.m. Eastern Time instead of the usual 4 p.m. — a half day of trading. This applies to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the NASDAQ, and most other U.S. markets where stocks trade.
The early close on Christmas Eve is standard every year. You can still place orders before 1 p.m., but once the market closes, no trades execute until the next trading day. If Christmas falls on a weekend, the market stays closed the following Monday as well.
Key Takeaways
- The stock market closes at 1 p.m. Eastern Time on Christmas Eve, not at the usual 4 p.m.
- The market is completely closed on Christmas Day itself, and the following day if Christmas falls on a weekend.
- Bond markets and futures markets also close early or stay closed on these days, though the exact hours vary.
- If you need to trade on or around Christmas, plan ahead and place orders before the early close.
- Market data and news services continue to operate during the closure, so you can still monitor positions and research.
Other U.S. market holidays that close early or all day
Christmas Eve is one of several days when U.S. stock markets close early. The full list of days when the NYSE and NASDAQ close at 1 p.m. Eastern Time is Christmas Eve and the day after Thanksgiving (the Friday after Thanksgiving). On all other market holidays, the exchanges close for the entire day.
Days when the market is completely closed include New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If any of these holidays fall on a weekend, the market closure moves to the following Monday.
What happens to your orders during the Christmas closure
If you place an order to buy or sell stock before 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve and it does not fill by the close, the order remains active. When the market reopens the next trading day, your order will execute at the market price at that time — which may be different from what you expected.
To avoid surprises, you can place a "good-till-canceled" order before the holiday, which stays active until you cancel it or it fills. You can also place a "good-for-day" order, which expires at the end of that trading day. Read your brokerage's order types to understand which one fits your plan.
Bond markets and futures markets on Christmas Eve
Bond markets (where government and corporate bonds trade) also close early on Christmas Eve, typically at 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Futures markets, where contracts on oil, gold, stock indexes, and other assets trade, close at different times depending on the contract and the exchange. CME Group, which runs the largest U.S. futures exchanges, closes most contracts at 4 p.m. Central Time on Christmas Eve, though some close earlier.
If you trade bonds or futures, check your broker's holiday schedule for the specific close time. The rules differ from stock market hours, and missing the deadline can lock you out of a position until after the holiday.
Planning ahead for the Christmas market closure
If you hold positions that you want to adjust before the holiday, do it before 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Market volatility can spike in the days before a long closure, so prices may move sharply. If you are waiting for news or earnings that might come during the closure, remember that the market will not react until it reopens.
Some investors use the closure as a time to review their portfolio without the distraction of live market prices. Others place orders in advance to rebalance or take profits when the market reopens. Your brokerage's website or app will show you the exact close time and remind you as the holiday approaches.
International markets on Christmas Eve
Stock exchanges outside the United States have their own holiday schedules. Most major exchanges in Europe and Asia close on Christmas Day and often on Boxing Day (December 26) as well. Some close early on Christmas Eve, while others stay open for a full day of trading. If you own stocks that trade on foreign exchanges, check that exchange's holiday calendar before the holiday.
U.S.-listed stocks that trade on the NYSE or NASDAQ follow U.S. market hours, even if the company is based overseas. But if you own shares in a foreign company that trades only on its home exchange, you will follow that country's schedule instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I trade stocks on Christmas Day?
No. The stock market is completely closed on Christmas Day. If Christmas falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the market is also closed the following Monday. You cannot place orders that execute on Christmas Day itself, though you can place orders in advance to execute when the market reopens.
What time does the market close on Christmas Eve?
The stock market closes at 1 p.m. Eastern Time on Christmas Eve. This is three hours earlier than the normal 4 p.m. close. Bond markets close at 2 p.m. Eastern Time, and futures markets have varying close times depending on the contract.
Will my pending order execute during the market closure?
No. Any order that has not filled by 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve will remain pending and execute when the market reopens, at whatever price the market is trading at that time. You can cancel the order before the close if you change your mind, or set it to expire at the end of the day.
Do I need to do anything special to prepare for the Christmas closure?
If you want to trade before the holiday, place your orders before 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve. If you hold positions you are concerned about, review them and make any changes you need before the market closes. Otherwise, your account will simply be frozen until the market reopens, and no trades will execute during the closure.
What if I need to sell stock urgently during the Christmas closure?
You cannot sell during the market closure itself. If the situation is truly urgent, contact your broker to ask about after-hours trading or other options, though these typically have higher costs and wider price spreads. For most situations, waiting until the market reopens is the standard approach.