As we move through 2026, knowing when the stock markets will be closed is essential for traders, investors, and anyone planning their financial activities. Stock exchanges observe holidays for national observances, religious festivals, and public rest days. During these closures, no regular trading occurs, which can affect liquidity, order execution, and settlement cycles.
In this guide, we’ll cover the full holiday calendars for the major global exchanges, including the NYSE & NASDAQ (US), NSE & BSE (India), and a quick look at the London Stock Exchange (UK).
Why Do Stock Markets Close on Holidays?
Exchanges close to align with national holidays, allow staff rest, and observe cultural or religious significance. In the US, closures follow federal holidays. In India, the list includes both national holidays and major festivals. Early closures (usually at 1:00 PM) sometimes happen the day after Thanksgiving or before Christmas for partial trading.
Pro Tip: Always double-check with your broker or the official exchange website closer to the date, as rare changes can occur.
US Stock Market Holidays 2026 (NYSE & NASDAQ)
The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ follow the same schedule. Both markets will be fully closed on these 10 days in 2026. There will also be early closures at 1:00 PM ET on the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.
Here is the complete list:
- New Year’s Day — Thursday, January 1, 2026 (Closed)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day — Monday, January 19, 2026 (Closed)
- Presidents’ Day (Washington’s Birthday) — Monday, February 16, 2026 (Closed)
- Good Friday — Friday, April 3, 2026 (Closed)
- Memorial Day — Monday, May 25, 2026 (Closed)
- Juneteenth National Independence Day — Friday, June 19, 2026 (Closed)
- Independence Day (observed) — Friday, July 3, 2026 (Closed)
(Note: July 4 falls on a Saturday, so observed on Friday) - Labor Day — Monday, September 7, 2026 (Closed)
- Thanksgiving Day — Thursday, November 26, 2026 (Closed)
- Christmas Day — Friday, December 25, 2026 (Closed)
Early Closures (1:00 PM ET):
- Friday, November 27, 2026 (day after Thanksgiving)
- Thursday, December 24, 2026 (Christmas Eve)
These dates are confirmed across official sources including NYSE, NASDAQ, and FINRA.
Indian Stock Market Holidays 2026 (NSE & BSE)
The National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) observe a mix of national holidays and major festivals. Both equity and derivative segments are closed on these days. A special Muhurat Trading session (auspicious Diwali trading) is usually held on a short window — in 2026 it falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026 (Diwali Laxmi Pujan). Timings will be announced later by the exchanges.
Full list of trading holidays for 2026:
- Municipal Corporation Election – Maharashtra — Thursday, January 15, 2026
- Republic Day — Monday, January 26, 2026
- Holi — Tuesday, March 3, 2026
- Shri Ram Navami — Thursday, March 26, 2026
- Shri Mahavir Jayanti — Tuesday, March 31, 2026
- Good Friday — Friday, April 3, 2026
- Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Jayanti — Tuesday, April 14, 2026
- Maharashtra Day — Friday, May 1, 2026
- Bakri Id (Eid-ul-Adha) — Thursday, May 28, 2026
- Muharram — Friday, June 26, 2026
- Ganesh Chaturthi — Monday, September 14, 2026
- Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti — Friday, October 2, 2026
- Dussehra — Tuesday, October 20, 2026
- Diwali – Balipratipada — Tuesday, November 10, 2026
- Prakash Gurpurb (Sri Guru Nanak Dev) — Tuesday, November 24, 2026
- Christmas — Friday, December 25, 2026
Note: Holidays falling on weekends (like Independence Day on Saturday, August 15) are not observed as extra trading holidays. Muhurat Trading on November 8 is a special short session.
This list is based on official notifications from NSE and BSE.
London Stock Exchange Holidays 2026
For investors trading UK stocks:
- New Year’s Day — Thursday, January 1
- Good Friday — Friday, April 3
- Easter Monday — Monday, April 6
- Early May Bank Holiday — Monday, May 4
- Late May (Spring) Bank Holiday — Monday, May 25
- Summer Bank Holiday — Monday, August 31
- Christmas Day — Friday, December 25
- Boxing Day (observed) — Monday, December 28
Early/half-day closures may apply on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
How to Plan Around Stock Market Holidays in 2026
- Avoid last-minute trades before long weekends — liquidity drops and volatility can increase.
- Settlement impact — Trades executed before a holiday may take longer to settle (T+1 or T+2 rules apply depending on the market).
- Global investors: If you trade across US and Indian markets, watch overlapping holidays like Good Friday (April 3) and Christmas.
- Options & Futures: Expiry dates may shift if they fall on holidays.
- International accounts: Currency and banking holidays can also affect fund transfers.
Mark these dates in your calendar now to avoid surprises. Many brokerage apps and trading platforms send holiday reminders automatically.
Final Thoughts
2026 has a balanced mix of holidays spread throughout the year, with notable clusters around March–April (festivals + Good Friday) and November (Diwali + Thanksgiving). Whether you’re a day trader or a long-term investor, planning ahead helps you stay efficient.
Do you trade in multiple markets? Which holiday affects your strategy the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below!