Timing is Everything: Your 2025 Calendar for Options Traders

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For options traders, timing isn’t just important—it’s everything. Success often hinges on knowing when key market events occur, from expiration dates to holidays and volatility spikes. Being aware of these dates allows you to plan entries, exits, and risk management strategies with precision. This comprehensive 2025 calendar for options traders covers all critical dates, including monthly and weekly expirations, triple witching days, U.S. market holidays, and regulatory timelines.

Whether you're a seasoned trader or building your strategy from the ground up, this guide ensures you stay ahead of market rhythms in 2025. Let’s dive into the essential dates every options trader should mark on their calendar.

Monthly Options Expiration Dates in 2025

Monthly options contracts typically expire on the third Friday of each month. These are pivotal dates that often bring increased volume and volatility as positions are settled or rolled over.

Here are the monthly options expiration dates for 2025:

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These dates are crucial for traders using monthly strategies like covered calls, cash-secured puts, or iron condors. Always verify settlement times with your broker, as final trading hours may end earlier than regular market close.

Weekly Options Expiration Schedule for 2025

In addition to monthly expirations, many traders use weekly options, which offer more flexibility and faster turnaround. Weekly options generally expire every Friday, though some underlyings may have mid-week expiries.

Below is a simplified breakdown of weekly expirations throughout 2025. Note that no weekly index options are listed during weeks when the monthly expiration occurs, to avoid overlap.

The pattern continues through December, with weekly expiries resuming the week after each monthly expiry. Traders focusing on short-term premium decay (theta) find these weekly cycles ideal for consistent income strategies.

Triple Witching Days in 2025

Triple witching occurs when stock options, stock index options, and stock index futures all expire on the same day—typically the third Friday of March, June, September, and December.

The triple witching days in 2025 are:

On these days, markets often experience elevated volatility and surging volume, especially in the final hour of trading. Programmed trading and large institutional rolls contribute to price swings that can create both opportunities and risks.

Traders should be cautious around these dates—especially if holding short options positions—but also alert to breakout patterns or gamma squeezes that can be exploited with proper risk controls.

👉 Learn how advanced traders navigate high-volatility events like triple witching.

U.S. Market Holidays and Closures in 2025

Knowing when markets are closed is essential for planning trades and managing liquidity. Here are the U.S. stock exchange holidays in 2025:

Markets will resume regular trading the following business day unless otherwise noted. Be mindful that low-volume days preceding or following holidays can also exhibit unusual price action.

Regulation T and SEC Settlement Timelines

Understanding settlement rules helps avoid margin calls or good faith violations.

Staying compliant with these rules is vital—especially during expiration weeks when assignment risks increase.

CFFEX Trading During Chinese National Holidays

For traders monitoring international derivatives markets:

While U.S.-based traders may not directly trade CFFEX contracts, movements in Chinese markets can influence global sentiment and correlated assets like commodities and tech stocks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Why does April's monthly expiration fall on the 17th instead of the third Friday?

A: The third Friday in April is April 18—Good Friday—when U.S. markets are closed. Therefore, options expire on Thursday, April 17.

Q: Are there any weeks without weekly options?

A: Yes. There are no weekly index options listed during the same week as monthly expirations to prevent overlapping contract settlements.

Q: What happens during triple witching?

A: On triple witching days, stock options, index options, and index futures all expire simultaneously. This convergence often leads to higher-than-average volume and volatility as institutions adjust positions.

Q: How do market holidays affect options expiration?

A: If an expiration date falls on a holiday, it’s moved to the previous business day. For example, if the third Friday were a holiday, expiration would occur on Thursday.

Q: Can I still trade options on days when the market reopens after a holiday?

A: Yes. Normal trading resumes after closures. However, early sessions may show gap moves based on overnight global news or economic data releases.

Q: Should I close positions before triple witching?

A: It depends on your strategy. Short premium sellers face assignment risk and increased volatility. Many traders prefer to close or roll positions before these events unless they’re prepared to manage the risk.

Final Thoughts

Mastering options trading means mastering time. The key dates in this calendar—monthly expirations, weekly cycles, triple witching events, and market holidays—are non-negotiable markers every trader must track.

Use this guide as your strategic foundation for navigating the rhythm of the market in 2025. With precise timing and disciplined execution, you can turn calendar awareness into a competitive edge.

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