The stock market is open most Mondays, but not all of them

The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are open for regular trading on Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. However, the market closes on certain Mondays when a federal holiday falls on that day or when the market observes a holiday on the following Monday. The most common Monday closures are Memorial Day (late May), Labor Day (early September), and Presidents' Day (mid-February).

If you plan to trade or check your portfolio on a Monday, the first step is to confirm whether that specific Monday is a market holiday. The New York Stock Exchange publishes its annual holiday calendar, and most brokerages display it on their websites. A quick search for "stock market holidays" plus the current year will show you which Mondays to expect closures.

Key Takeaways

  • The stock market operates Monday through Friday during regular hours, but closes on federal holidays and certain observance days.
  • Common Monday closures include Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Presidents' Day, though the exact date varies each year.
  • The New York Stock Exchange publishes an official holiday calendar each year that shows all closure dates.
  • If a federal holiday falls on a weekend, the market may close on the adjacent Friday or Monday instead.
  • Pre-market and after-hours trading may be available on some holiday Mondays, but volume and liquidity are typically much lower.

Federal holidays that close the market on Monday

The stock market closes on all federal holidays. The ones most likely to fall on a Monday or be observed on a Monday are New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January), Presidents' Day (third Monday in February), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Juneteenth (June 19), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (first Monday in September), Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November), and Christmas Day (December 25).

When a holiday falls on a weekend, the market adjusts. If a holiday lands on Saturday, the market typically closes on Friday. If it lands on Sunday, the market closes on Monday. For example, if Christmas falls on a Saturday, the market closes on Friday, December 24. If Christmas falls on a Sunday, the market closes on Monday, December 25.

How to find the official market calendar

The New York Stock Exchange publishes its holiday schedule on its official website under "Market Information" or "Trading Hours." You can download the full year's calendar or view it online. Nasdaq maintains a similar calendar on its site. Both calendars are updated annually and show exact closure dates.

Your brokerage account also displays this information. Log into your account and look for "Market Hours," "Trading Calendar," or "Holiday Schedule" in the help or settings section. Most brokerages highlight upcoming closures in their mobile apps or send email reminders before a market holiday Monday arrives.

What happens if you try to trade on a closed Monday

If you place a trade order on a Monday when the market is closed, the order will not execute. Instead, your broker will hold the order and submit it when the market reopens on Tuesday morning. The order will execute at whatever price the stock reaches when trading resumes, not at the price you saw on Friday.

Some brokerages allow pre-market trading (starting as early as 4:00 a.m.) and after-hours trading (until 8:00 p.m.), and these sessions may be available on holiday Mondays. However, pre-market and after-hours trading have much lower volume and wider bid-ask spreads, meaning prices can move more dramatically and you may not get the price you expect. Check your broker's specific rules before attempting to trade outside regular hours.

Why the market closes on certain Mondays

The stock market closes on federal holidays to align with the broader U.S. financial system. Banks, government offices, and most businesses close on these days, so there would be limited participation and liquidity if the market remained open. Lower trading volume on a holiday would make it harder to buy or sell shares at predictable prices.

The market also closes to give traders, brokers, and exchange staff time off. The financial system runs continuously during regular trading hours, and the closure allows systems to be maintained and employees to rest. This practice has been in place for decades and is standard across major exchanges worldwide.

Planning ahead for Monday market closures

If you know you want to trade before a holiday Monday, place your orders on Friday before the market closes at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. This ensures your trade executes at a price you can see and control. If you wait until Monday morning, your order will sit until Tuesday, and the market may have moved significantly overnight or over the weekend.

For long-term investors who hold stocks for months or years, a one-day market closure has little practical impact. For active traders or people monitoring their portfolio closely, marking holiday Mondays on your calendar prevents confusion and missed opportunities. Set phone reminders or check your broker's holiday calendar at the start of each quarter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the stock market open on Presidents' Day Monday?

No. Presidents' Day falls on the third Monday in February, and the stock market is closed that day. The market reopens on Tuesday. If you have pending orders, they will execute when trading resumes.

Can I trade on a holiday Monday through my brokerage app?

Not during regular market hours. However, some brokerages offer pre-market trading starting at 4:00 a.m. or after-hours trading until 8:00 p.m. on holiday Mondays. Check your broker's specific rules, as not all firms allow this, and liquidity will be very low.

What if I forget the market is closed and try to place a trade on Monday?

Your order will be held by your broker and submitted when the market opens on Tuesday morning. It will execute at whatever price the stock reaches at that time, not the price you saw on Monday. You can cancel the order before Tuesday's open if you change your mind.

Does the bond market close on the same Mondays as the stock market?

Yes. The bond market, Treasury market, and most other U.S. financial markets close on the same federal holidays as the stock market. This includes holiday Mondays like Memorial Day and Labor Day.

How far in advance does the stock exchange announce which Mondays will be closed?

The New York Stock Exchange publishes its full holiday calendar for the year in advance, usually by late fall of the prior year. You can view it anytime on the NYSE website or your broker's site without waiting for an announcement.