Thursday, November 26, 2020, is Thanksgiving. It’s a time for gathering with loved ones, expressing gratitude, giving to the community, and more. Plus, for many people, it’s a day off from work. Since it’s a holiday, it isn’t uncommon to want to seize the opportunity to handle some personal matters. For some, that may include stock trades. The thing is, you may be wondering, “Is the stock market closed on Thanksgiving Day?” If you fall into that category, here’s what you need to know.
Is the Stock Market Closed on Thanksgiving Day?
Yes, the U.S. stock markets – including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ – are closed on Thanksgiving Day. Additionally, both of them close early on Friday, November 27.
If you need to handle any transactions before the end of Thanksgiving Day, you’ll need to tackle them during normal operating hours on Wednesday, November 25. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait until the Friday after Thanksgiving.
On that Friday, you’ll have a smaller window on Friday, November 27, as the markets close at 1:00 pm EST. Per usual, the markets close for the weekend. Then, on Monday, November 30, they’ll reopen in accordance with their normal operating schedule.
Is the Bond Market Closed on Thanksgiving Day?
Yes, the bond market is closed on Thanksgiving. Additionally, it closes early on the Friday after Thanksgiving, shutting down at 2:00 pm EST instead of its usual closing time.
If you need to handle any transactions before the holiday, you can on Wednesday. The bond market maintains its typical operating hours on November 25, the day before Thanksgiving.
If you don’t finish your transactions before Thanksgiving, you can take advantage of the limited hours on Friday, November 27. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait until Monday, November 30, as the market closes over the weekend.
Are International Stock Markets Closed on Thanksgiving?
Generally speaking, no, international stock markets are not closed on November 26. That Thursday is a U.S. holiday, so other countries don’t recognize it or observe it with a market closure.
However, that doesn’t mean another market can’t coincidentally be closed on Thanksgiving Day. In the U.S., Thanksgiving isn’t on a set date. Instead, it’s held on the fourth Thursday in the month of November. As a result, it could potentially align with a holiday in another country, potentially causing it to close along with another market.
For example, the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Japan closes for Labor Thanksgiving Day on November 23 of each year. If Thanksgiving in the U.S. happens to fall on November 23, then both markets would coincidentally be closed at the same time.
U.S. Stock Market 2020 Holiday Schedule
The NYSE and NASDAQ use the exact same holiday schedule. As a result, when one market is closed, they are usually both closed. The only exception usually involves technical issues that only impact one of the two markets.
Here is an overview of the NYSE and NASDAQ holiday schedules for 2020, including all of the short-days and all-day closures:
| Holiday | NYSE & NASDAQ | Date |
| New Year’s Day | Closed | Wednesday, January 1 |
| Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | Closed | Monday, January 20 |
| Washington’s Birthday | Closed | Monday, February 17 |
| Good Friday | Closed | Friday, April 10 |
| Memorial Day | Closed | Monday, May 25 |
| Day Before Independence Day | Closed (July 4 Holiday Observed) | Friday, July 3 |
| Independence Day | Closed | Saturday, July 4 |
| Labor Day | Closed | Monday, September 7 |
| Thanksgiving | Closed | Thursday, November 26 |
| Day After Thanksgiving | Closes Early at 1:00 pm EST | Friday, November 27 |
| Christmas Eve | Closes Early at 1:00 pm EST | Thursday, December 24 |
| Christmas Day | Closed | Friday, December 25 |
Most of the stock market closures align with the federal holiday schedule, barring a few exceptions. First, the markets open on Columbus Day and Veterans Day, even though they are federal holidays. Second, while Good Friday isn’t on the federal holiday calendar, it is on the stock market holiday closure list. Both the NYSE and NASDAQ shutter their doors on Good Friday.
Regular Stock Market Trading Hours
Aside from the exceptions listed on the holiday schedule, the stock markets follow standardized operating hours. For the NYSE, a typical day includes:
- Pre-opening Session – 6:30 am to 9:30 am ET, Monday through Friday
- Core Trading Session – 9:30 am to 4:00 pm ET, Monday through Friday
- Late Trading Session – 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm ET, Monday through Friday
The NASDAQ has a similar operating schedule on non-holidays but opens for its pre-opening session a bit earlier than the NYSE. For the NASDAQ, a typical day includes:
- Pre-opening Session – 4:00 am to 9:30 am ET, Monday through Friday
- Core Trading Session – 9:30 am to 4:00 pm ET, Monday through Friday
- Late Trading Session – 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm ET, Monday through Friday
U.S. Bond Market 2020 Holiday Schedule
The bond market follows the schedule set by SIFMA. While much of it aligns with the stock markets’ calendar, it actually has a few extra closures each year.
Here’s an overview of the bond market 2020 holiday schedule:
| Holiday | SIFMA | Date |
| New Year’s Day | Closed | Wednesday, January 1 |
| Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | Closed | Monday, January 20 |
| Presidents Day | Closed | Monday, February 17 |
| Day Before Good Friday | Closes at 2:00 pm ET | Thursday, April 9 |
| Good Friday | Closed | Friday, April 10 |
| Friday Before Memorial Day | Closes at 2:00 pm ET | Friday, May 22 |
| Memorial Day | Closed | Monday, May 25 |
| Day Before Independence Day Observed | Closes at 2:00 pm ET | Thursday, July 2 |
| Day Before Independence Day | Closed (July 4 Holiday Observed) | Friday, July 3 |
| Independence Day | Closed | Saturday, July 4 |
| Labor Day | Closed | Monday, September 7 |
| Columbus Day | Closed | Monday, October 12 |
| Veterans Day | Closed | Wednesday, November 11 |
| Thanksgiving Day | Closed | Thursday, November 26 |
| Day After Thanksgiving | Closes at 2:00 pm ET | Friday, November 27 |
| Christmas Eve | Closes at 2:00 pm ET | Thursday, December 24 |
| Christmas Day | Closed | Friday, December 25 |
| New Year’s Eve | Closes at 2:00 pm ET | Thursday, December 31 |
Extra Closures
The main difference between the SIFMA and stock market schedules are the extra closures. For example, the bond market closes on Columbus Day and Veterans Day, while the stock markets don’t.
Additionally, there are closures beyond what’s on the federal holiday schedule. The bond market doesn’t operate on Good Friday and actually closes early on the day before Good Friday.
There are also some additional early closures that go further than both the federal and stock market holiday schedules. For example, the bond market shuts down at 2:00 pm EST on both the day before Memorial Day and on New Year’s Eve.
Do you wish the stock market was open on Thanksgiving? Or do you think it should be closed? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Read More:
- 2020 Sam’s Club Holiday Hours and Schedule
- 2020 Federal Holiday Schedule
- Stock Market Holiday Schedule 2020
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