Stock Market Thanksgiving Hours
The U.S. stock market observes Thanksgiving with a shortened session on the Friday after the holiday and remains closed on Thanksgiving Day itself. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq follow the same schedule, which is set by the exchanges and the Federal Reserve. Understanding these hours helps traders plan entries, exits, and position adjustments around the holiday.
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Full Thanksgiving Trading Schedule
| Day | Status | Regular Hours | Thanksgiving Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving Day (Thursday) | Closed | 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET | Closed |
| Friday after Thanksgiving | Early close | 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET | 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET |
| Wednesday before Thanksgiving | Normal session | 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET | 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET |
Why the Market Closes on Thanksgiving
The stock market Thanksgiving hours reflect a federal holiday. The NYSE and Nasdaq close on Thursdays that fall on Thanksgiving to give traders, support staff, and settlement participants a break. The shortened Friday session allows for orderly settlement of transactions and lets markets digest any price moves from Wednesday trading. The early close also acknowledges that institutional participation drops on a day many employees take as a long weekend.
How the Early Close Affects Trading
Because the Friday session ends at 1:00 p.m. ET, liquidity thins earlier than usual. Price swings can be wider in the final hour of regular trading, and some strategies that rely on full-day volume may need adjustment. Algorithmic and high-frequency traders often reduce activity on shortened days, which can magnify the impact of large orders placed in the morning.
- Plan orders for the morning session, when volume is deepest.
- Avoid market orders near the 1:00 p.m. close unless necessary.
- Watch for gaps at the open, as overnight news from Asia and Europe may move prices with less U.S. participation.
What About Pre-Market and After-Hours Trading
Although the regular session is shortened on Friday, electronic trading on platforms affiliated with the exchanges often continues in pre-market and after-hours windows. These extended-hours sessions typically run from 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET, but they carry higher volatility and wider spreads. Not all brokers offer extended-hours trading, and liquidity is substantially lower than during the regular session.
Other Holidays With Shortened or Closed Sessions
Thanksgiving is not the only holiday with an altered schedule. Traders who track stock market hours across the year should also note the early close on Christmas Eve (when Christmas falls on a weekday) and the New Year's Eve early close. Independence Day, Labor Day, and Christmas Day are full closures. The NYSE and Nasdaq publish these calendars each year, and the hours are consistent even if the days of the week shift.
How to Verify Each Year's Schedule
The NYSE and Nasdaq websites publish the official trading calendar for the upcoming year by late fall of the prior year. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York also posts a holiday schedule that the exchanges follow. Because the calendar can shift if a holiday falls on a weekend, checking the official source before planning a trade around Thanksgiving is a straightforward step that avoids surprises.