The stock market is closed on Columbus Day

The U.S. stock market does not trade on Columbus Day. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the NASDAQ both shut down for the day. This applies to stock trading, options trading, and most bond markets. If you have a trade you want to place on Columbus Day, you cannot execute it until the market reopens the following day.

Columbus Day falls on the second Monday of October each year. Because it is a federal holiday, the major U.S. exchanges treat it the same way they treat Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Independence Day — they close entirely and do not reopen for after-hours trading.

If you use a brokerage app or website to trade stocks, you will see that your ability to place orders is blocked on Columbus Day itself. Some brokerages allow you to place orders that will execute when the market opens the next day, but the trade does not happen until then.

Key Takeaways

  • The NYSE and NASDAQ close completely on Columbus Day; no stock trading happens that day.
  • Columbus Day is the second Monday in October, and the closure applies to all equity and most bond markets.
  • You can place orders in advance through most brokerages to execute when the market reopens on Tuesday.
  • International stock exchanges in other countries remain open on Columbus Day because it is a U.S. holiday only.

What happens to pending orders on Columbus Day

If you placed a limit order or stop order before the market closed on Friday, that order remains active and will execute when the market reopens on Tuesday — unless you cancel it. The brokerage holds the order in its system over the weekend and the holiday.

Market orders (orders to buy or sell at the current price) cannot be placed while the market is closed. If you try to submit a market order on Columbus Day, your brokerage will reject it or automatically convert it to an order that executes at the open on Tuesday.

If you own stocks that pay a dividend and the ex-dividend date falls on Columbus Day, the dividend still processes on schedule. The holiday does not affect dividend payments or corporate actions — only trading.

Futures and cryptocurrency markets on Columbus Day

Stock index futures (contracts based on the S&P 500, Dow Jones, and NASDAQ) trade on a reduced schedule on Columbus Day. The CME Globex platform, which handles most U.S. futures trading, remains open but with lower volume and wider bid-ask spreads. If you trade futures, check your broker's specific hours because some close entirely while others stay open.

Cryptocurrency exchanges do not close on Columbus Day. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital assets trade 24/7 regardless of U.S. holidays. If you hold crypto and want to trade on Columbus Day, you can do so without interruption.

International markets and Columbus Day

Stock exchanges in Europe, Asia, and other regions remain open on Columbus Day because it is a U.S. federal holiday only. The London Stock Exchange, Tokyo Stock Exchange, and other major exchanges operate on their normal schedules. If you hold international stocks or trade on foreign exchanges, Columbus Day does not affect those markets.

Some U.S. brokerages allow you to trade on international exchanges during U.S. market hours, but this depends on your account type and broker. Check with your brokerage to see whether you can access foreign markets while the U.S. exchanges are closed.

How to plan ahead for Columbus Day closures

If you know you want to make a trade around Columbus Day, place the order before the market closes on Friday. Most brokerages accept orders placed over the weekend that will execute at the market open on Tuesday. This is the most reliable way to ensure your trade happens when you want it to.

If you use a robo-advisor or automated investment service, check whether your service rebalances on Columbus Day or waits until Tuesday. Most automated services skip rebalancing on market holidays, but some have specific policies you should know about.

Set a calendar reminder for Columbus Day if you manage your own portfolio. It is easy to forget that the market is closed and then be surprised when you cannot place a trade on Monday morning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I place a trade on Columbus Day if I use my phone app?

No. Your brokerage app will not allow you to place a market order on Columbus Day. Some apps let you schedule an order to execute at the market open on Tuesday, but the trade itself does not happen until then.

What if I need to sell a stock on Columbus Day for an emergency?

You cannot sell during market hours on Columbus Day. If you hold cryptocurrency or trade on international exchanges, those options remain available. Otherwise, you must wait until Tuesday morning when the U.S. markets reopen.

Do dividends still pay out if the ex-dividend date is Columbus Day?

Yes. Dividend payments and ex-dividend dates are not affected by market closures. If a company's ex-dividend date falls on Columbus Day, the dividend still processes on that date even though the market is closed.

Will my broker charge me a fee for placing an order that executes after Columbus Day?

No. Placing an order in advance that executes after a market holiday does not incur extra fees. Your normal commission structure (if any) applies when the order executes on Tuesday.

Are bond markets also closed on Columbus Day?

Most bond markets close on Columbus Day, including the Treasury market. However, some corporate bond trading continues on a limited basis. Check with your broker if you trade bonds regularly.