US Stock Market Holidays 2026 (NYSE & NASDAQ)

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq observe broadly the same holiday schedule in 2026: both exchanges are closed on the major US federal holidays and run shortened sessions on a couple of days. For traders and investors, this means predictable pauses in regular trading and a few early-closing days to be aware of when planning orders, rebalances, or cash management.

US Stock Market Holiday Calendar 2026

Both the NYSE and NASDAQ follow the same holiday schedule mentioned below:

Note: The list above shows all official full-day market closures and the official early-close days for 2026. For other special schedules (index rebalances, options expirations, or rare adjustments), see the exchange trading calendar and regulatory holiday notices.

Early Closing Days for the US Stock Market in 2026

Early closing days are part of the US market tradition. They are in place to accommodate national holidays, reduce trading activity during low-liquidity periods, and match settlement cycles with global markets. These short sessions also help financial institutions to reconcile accounts before extended breaks.

Are NYSE and Nasdaq Holidays the Same?

Yes, both exchanges share the same list of holidays. However, rare exceptions can occur. For example, you may notice extraordinary closures due to national events, emergencies, or days of mourning. In such scenarios, one exchange could declare a holiday while the other continues to function normally. Theoretical exceptions may also occur if one exchange adjusts trading hours or closing times for technical or regulatory reasons, especially for options or specific products that Nasdaq handles differently. These rare cases are not part of the announced annual holiday calendar.

US Stock Market Trading Hours Around Holidays

Here is a quick insight into the timings on regular trading days:

Regular Hours

• It runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), Monday to Friday
• The stock market is not open on Saturday and Sunday.

Pre-Market and After-Hours Trading

• It runs from about 4:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. ET
• It allows you to place orders before the regular market opens.

After-Hours Trading

• It runs from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.
• This lets you respond to news or earnings that come out after the core market session ends.

Impact of Market Holidays on Trading and Settlement

On official US exchange holidays, trading is fully closed. One cannot execute buy and sell orders. Electronic messages for settlement are also delayed until the next business day. This also closes many bank and clearing services used to move cash and securities.

• Pre-holiday days compress the time traders have to place orders, increasing the risk of price gaps at the next open.
• On May 28, 2024, the US moved from a T+2 to a T+1 settlement cycle. With one business day to settle, holidays that fall inside that window can push or block settlement actions, so trades done right before a holiday may not settle until the next open day.
• Holidays and early closes often reduce market liquidity. Lower participation widens bid–ask spreads and increases volatility for orders executed near holiday windows.
• International participants face extra pressure because time zones, local bank closures, and FX settlement windows can mismatch with US holiday timings. This adds settlement risk and funding needs.

How Investors Should Plan Trades Around US Market Holidays

• Holiday sessions are not ideal for fast intraday strategies. Price moves may look sharp but lack real strength, and false breakouts are also common. Therefore, if you trade intraday, stick to conservative setups and tighter risk controls.
• Low volumes can trigger stop-loss orders easily due to sudden price spikes. Placing very tight stop-losses around holidays may lead to unwanted exits. Consider giving trades slightly more room or reducing exposure until normal trading resumes.
• US index futures and global markets usually remain active even when US cash markets are closed. These can influence the next trading session. It is recommended to track overnight moves to prepare for gap-up or gap-down openings after a holiday.
• Rolling over large positions near holidays can be risky due to thin trading volume. Sudden price changes can affect rollover costs. If possible, complete rollovers before the holiday week.
• Options premiums behave differently around holidays due to time decay and low activity. Theta decay continues even when markets are closed. It is better to avoid short-term options trades unless you clearly understand how holidays impact option pricing.