The stock market is closed on Thanksgiving Day

U.S. stock exchanges — the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ — do not operate on Thanksgiving. The market closes for the entire day, so you cannot buy or sell stocks, ETFs, or other securities. No trading happens, and no prices move.

Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November each year. In 2024, that is November 28. In 2025, it is November 27. The market reopens the following trading day, which is usually the Friday after Thanksgiving, though that Friday itself operates on a shortened schedule (see below).

If you place an order to buy or sell while the market is closed, your order will sit in a queue and execute when the market opens the next day. The price you get depends on market conditions at that opening time, not the price when you placed the order.

Key Takeaways

  • The NYSE and NASDAQ close entirely on Thanksgiving Day; no trading occurs and no orders execute.
  • The Friday after Thanksgiving operates on a shortened schedule, closing at 1 p.m. Eastern time instead of 4 p.m.
  • Orders placed during a market closure execute the next time the market opens, at whatever price the market is trading at that moment.
  • The market also closes on Christmas, New Year's Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and several other federal holidays.

The day after Thanksgiving closes early

The Friday after Thanksgiving is a regular trading day, but it ends three hours earlier than normal. The market opens at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time as usual but closes at 1 p.m. Eastern instead of the standard 4 p.m. close.

This shortened schedule applies only to the stock market. Bond markets and futures markets may have different hours. If you trade options or other derivatives, check with your broker about their specific hours on that Friday.

Many traders and investors plan around this early close because lower trading volume in the final three hours can mean wider bid-ask spreads and less predictable price movement. If you plan to trade that day, place your orders well before noon to avoid the thinnest part of the session.

Other U.S. holidays when the market closes

Thanksgiving is one of nine days per year when the NYSE and NASDAQ shut down completely. The full list includes:

  • New Year's Day (January 1)
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January)
  • Presidents' Day (third Monday in February)
  • Good Friday (varies; typically in March or April)
  • 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)
  • Christmas Day (December 25)

When a holiday falls on a weekend, the market closure typically shifts to the nearest weekday. For example, if Christmas falls on a Saturday, the market closes on Friday instead. If New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the market closes on Monday.

What happens to your pending orders

If you submit a buy or sell order before the market closes for Thanksgiving, the order does not execute until the market reopens. The order sits in the system, and your broker holds it until trading resumes.

You can cancel a pending order at any time before the market opens, even if the market is closed. Log into your brokerage account and withdraw the order. Once the market opens, if you have not cancelled it, your order enters the queue and executes at the prevailing market price.

This means you cannot control the exact price you receive if you place an order before a market closure. If the market opens significantly higher or lower than you expected, your order still executes at the new price. To avoid this risk, many traders wait until the market is open to place orders.

International markets may still be trading

While U.S. stock exchanges are closed on Thanksgiving, stock markets in Europe and Asia continue operating on their own schedules. The London Stock Exchange, Tokyo Stock Exchange, and others do not observe the U.S. holiday.

If you hold international stocks or ETFs that track foreign markets, those positions may move while the U.S. market is closed. When the U.S. market reopens on Friday, prices of international stocks may have shifted based on overnight trading abroad.

Some brokers offer after-hours trading or access to international markets, but these are not the same as regular stock exchange trading and typically involve higher costs and wider spreads. Check with your broker about what options are available to you outside standard U.S. market hours.

Planning around market closures

If you manage a portfolio or trade regularly, mark the holiday calendar in advance. Thanksgiving closures affect not just stock trading but also options expiration dates, dividend payment dates, and settlement timelines.

For example, if a dividend is scheduled to pay on a day the market is closed, the payment typically occurs on the next trading day. Similarly, if you sell a stock on the last trading day before a holiday, settlement (when the cash and shares actually transfer) may take longer because the market is closed in between.

Brokers publish their holiday schedules each year. Review yours before the holiday season to understand how closures affect any trades or transactions you are planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I trade stocks on Thanksgiving using my phone app?

No. The stock exchanges themselves are closed, so no orders execute through any broker or app. Your order will not go through until the market reopens the next day. Some brokers may show a message saying the market is closed when you try to place an order.

What time does the market close on the Friday after Thanksgiving?

The market closes at 1 p.m. Eastern time on the Friday after Thanksgiving, instead of the normal 4 p.m. close. This applies to both the NYSE and NASDAQ.

If I place an order before Thanksgiving, will it execute at the price I see now?

No. Your order executes at whatever price the stock is trading when the market reopens. If the stock has moved significantly overnight or due to news, you may receive a very different price than what you saw before the holiday.

Do bonds and futures markets close on Thanksgiving too?

The bond market (Treasury securities) closes on Thanksgiving, but futures markets have different schedules. Crude oil, gold, and other futures may trade on a reduced schedule or close earlier than stocks. Check with your broker or the specific exchange for exact hours.

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

You cannot sell during a market closure. You must wait until the market reopens. If you need cash urgently, contact your broker about other options, such as a margin loan or selling other securities that may be available, though these come with costs and risks.