Is the Stock Market Open on Good Friday? Holiday Schedule

Thinking of making a move on the markets during the Easter holiday break? You might want to keep your trading platform closed and enjoy the day instead.

The short answer: No, the U.S. stock market is closed on Good Friday. Unlike many other holidays, the stock market always closes on the Friday before Easter Sunday.

Why is the Market Closed?

Major U.S. exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq, are closed in observance of Good Friday. While Good Friday is not a federal holiday in the United States, it is a long-standing tradition for the equity markets to remain shuttered. In fact, it is one of the few days a year where the markets close while banks and the post office remain open.

Market Status and Trading Hours

During the Good Friday holiday, the financial world splits its operations:

• U.S. Equities (Stocks): Completely Closed. No regular trading sessions occur on the NYSE or Nasdaq.
• Options Markets: Completely Closed.
• Bond Markets: Expect an early close. SIFMA typically recommends that bond markets close at 2:00 PM ET on the Thursday before, and remains closed or operates on a very limited schedule on Good Friday.
• Cryptocurrency: Open 24/7. Since crypto markets are decentralized, they remain unaffected by exchange holidays.

What Else is Open?

Since Good Friday is not a federal holiday, the rest of the financial world doesn't completely stop:

• Banks: Most commercial banks remain open for regular business hours.
• Federal Reserve: The Fed remains operational, meaning ACH and wire transfers will generally process as usual.
• Government Offices: Post offices and federal offices are open.

Important Dates to Remember

While the market is closed every Good Friday, the specific date changes each year.

Strategy Tip

If you have any pending orders or automated strategies set for the holiday, they likely won't execute until the following Monday opening bell at 9:30 AM ET. This "market pause" is an excellent time to step back, review your technical charts, and prepare your watchlists for the coming month.