What traders need to know about year-end hours, closures, and early-close days as markets kick off 2026

Market Holiday Reality

January 1, 2026 — Many investors pause to ask: Is the stock market open on New Year’s Day? The answer is clear — U.S. stock exchanges are closed on New Year’s Day, meaning the NYSE and Nasdaq will not operate today. But with a new year comes fresh opportunities — and understanding the full 2026 market holiday schedule matters now more than ever.

Why New Year’s Day Is Closed — But Not New Year’s Eve

Unlike New Year’s Eve, which keeps markets open for a full trading session, New Year’s Day is a recognized market holiday. No equity trading, pre-market action, or regular bond desk hours will occur — giving traders, funds, and institutions a firm reset before the first trading day of the year.

Knowing when markets don’t trade helps investors avoid misplaced orders or surprise overnight risk.

The Complete 2026 U.S. Stock Market Holiday Calendar

Here’s when the major U.S. exchanges (NYSE & Nasdaq) are scheduled to be fully closed in 2026:

New Year’s Day — January 1 (closed)

Martin Luther King Jr. Day — January 19

Presidents Day — February 16

Good Friday — April 3

Memorial Day — May 25

Juneteenth — June 19

Independence Day (Observed) — July 3

Labor Day — September 7

Thanksgiving Day — November 26

Christmas Day — December 25

These closures pause regular trading — but follow different rules than early closes.

Early Close Days in 2026

Some holidays come with early market shutdowns — typically ending trading at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. In 2026, based on historical patterns, likely early-close sessions include:

Day after Thanksgiving

Christmas Eve (Thursday, December 24)

Early closes impact liquidity, price movement, and trader strategies — especially for swing positions and options expiration timing.

How Holidays Impact Trading Volume

Closed markets don’t just mean a day off — they affect market behavior before and after:

Lower liquidity ahead of closures

Wider bid–ask spreads in thin sessions

Volatility clusters as traders adjust positions

Algorithmic models that adjust based on holiday calendars

Investors who ignore these patterns may misread price action or timing.

What This Means for Your Portfolio

Whether you’re day trading, long-term investing, or managing retirement funds, knowing the holiday schedule eliminates:

Mistaken orders placed on closed days

Misinterpreting low-volume price moves

Emotional trades triggered by thin liquidity

Smart investors plan around the calendar — not react to it.

When Markets Reopen

While January 1 is closed, markets resume the next regular business day. For those planning trades or rebalancing:

Expect weekend closures to not count as market holidays

Check local holidays if you’re trading from outside the U.S.

Final Takeaway

Today — January 1, 2026 — the stock market is closed in observance of New Year’s Day. But understanding all 2026 closures and early closes puts you ahead of the curve as the new year’s market narrative begins to take shape.