Upcoming 2025 Stock Market Holidays Investors Must Know

Understanding the stock market holiday schedule is essential for traders, investors, and financial professionals alike. Holidays don't just mean time off—they often result in lower liquidity, unusual market behaviour, and limited access to major exchanges. 

Whether you trade in the United States, India, Europe, or Asia, knowing when markets are closed can help you plan your strategy, manage risk, and avoid missed opportunities.

This comprehensive guide examines the significance of stock market holidays, major international exchange shutdowns, their impact on trading volume and volatility, and how you can adjust your strategy for non-trading days in 2025.

U.S. Stock Market Holidays (NYSE and NASDAQ) in 2025

The U.S. stock market, particularly the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ, plays a central role in global finance. These exchanges follow a fixed holiday schedule and close on several major federal holidays.

The following are the official market holidays for 2025:

• New Year's Day – January 1 (Wednesday)

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day – January 20 (Monday)

• Presidents' Day – February 17 (Monday)

• Good Friday – April 18 (Friday)

• Memorial Day – May 26 (Monday)

• Independence Day – July 4 (Friday)

• Labour Day – September 1 (Monday)

• Thanksgiving Day – November 27 (Thursday)

• Christmas Day – December 25 (Thursday)

Additionally, both NYSE and NASDAQ may close early (at 1:00 PM ET) on days such as the day before Independence Day, Black Friday (After Thanksgiving), or Christmas Eve.

Indian Stock Market Holidays (NSE and BSE) in 2025

The National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in India observe a combination of national and religious holidays. Annual announcements for market closures vary based on local regulations or elections.

Expected holidays for the Indian stock market in 2025 include:

• Republic Day – January 26 (Sunday, observed on Monday)

• Holi – March 14 (Friday)

• Good Friday – April 18 (Friday)

• Ram Navami – April 20 (Sunday, observed on Monday)

• Eid-al-Fitr – March 30 (Tentative)

• Independence Day – August 15 (Friday)

• Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti – October 2 (Thursday)

• Diwali (Laxmi Pujan) – October 21 (Tuesday, Muhurat Trading held)

• Christmas Day – December 25 (Thursday)

Some of these dates are tentative and depend on lunar calendars, which is why the final calendar is published by the NSE annually.

London Stock Exchange (LSE) Holidays in 2025

The London Stock Exchange, one of Europe's leading markets, typically observes public holidays recognised in the United Kingdom. The LSE is closed on the following days:

• New Year's Day – January 1 (Wednesday)

• Good Friday – April 18 (Friday)

• Easter Monday – April 21 (Monday)

• Early May Bank Holiday – May 5 (Monday)

• Spring Bank Holiday – May 26 (Monday)

• Summer Bank Holiday – August 25 (Monday)

• Christmas Day – December 25 (Thursday)

• Boxing Day – December 26 (Friday)

The exchange may also have half-day trading sessions before major holidays such as Christmas or New Year's Eve.

Other Major Global Stock Exchange Closures in 2025

Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE)

Japan has several unique public holidays:

• New Year Holidays – January 1–3

• Coming of Age Day – January 13

• Emperor's Birthday – February 23

• Golden Week Holidays – April 29 to May 5

• Marine Day – July 21

• Respect for the Aged Day – September 15

• Autumnal Equinox Day – September 22

• Culture Day – November 3

• Labour Thanksgiving Day – November 23

Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges (China)

Chinese exchanges are closed during:

• Chinese New Year – Feb 3–9

• Qingming Festival – April 4

• Labour Day – May 1–3

• Dragon Boat Festival – June 6

• Mid-Autumn Festival – September 5

• National Day Holiday – October 1–7

Euronext (Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels)

Similar to the LSE, Euronext observes pan-European holidays such as:

• New Year's Day

• Good Friday

• Easter Monday

• Labour Day (May 1)

• Christmas and Boxing Day

These markets may also close early on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve.

What Happens to Trading During Holidays?

During public holidays, markets are closed to all trading activity. It includes regular market orders, limit orders, and algorithmic executions. 

Nonetheless, some platforms may still support pre-market and after-hours electronic trading, albeit with significantly reduced liquidity and broader spreads.

For global traders and investors, holidays often lead to:

• Reduced volatility before and after closures

• Lower trading volumes, especially around holidays that are not globally synchronised

• Unusual price movements, particularly in thinly traded stocks or assets

• Delayed economic data releases, which can defer market-moving events

If you hold open positions over a long weekend, be aware of geopolitical events or earnings reports that could impact markets upon reopening.

Strategies for Trading Around Market Holidays

Check the Calendar Weekly

Always review the trading calendar for the week ahead. Know which markets are closed and which have shortened hours.

Avoid Overexposure

Minimise your exposure to open positions during long breaks. If the market moves unfavorably while closed, you won't be able to react until it reopens.

Use Stop-Loss and Take-Profit Orders

These automated tools help manage your trades while you're away from your terminal. However, be aware of slippage during hours of low liquidity.

Hedge Positions if Necessary

For institutional or active traders, consider hedging open positions using options or futures when expecting big market-moving news during a holiday break.

Be Mindful of Time Zones

As a global trader, recognise how time zone differences affect your operations. A trip to Japan could align with a market opening in London or New York.

Conclusion

In conclusion, stock market holidays vary by country and exchange but have universal implications for trading behaviour. In 2025, traders and investors must enhance execution, minimise risk, and enable more strategic decision-making by focusing on the global trading calendar.

Being proactive regarding market holidays involves more than just being aware of when exchanges are shut. It's about adapting your trading approach to seasonal patterns, planning for volatility, and managing portfolio exposure efficiently.

Disclaimer: This material is for general information purposes only and is not intended as (and should not be considered to be) financial, investment or other advice on which reliance should be placed. No opinion given in the material constitutes a recommendation by EBC or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.