As the holiday season approaches, traders need to stay informed about adjusted market schedules to plan their strategies effectively. This guide outlines the 2025 Christmas and New Year trading hours, detailing changes across global indices, stocks, commodities, and interest rate markets. All times are listed in Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT), helping you navigate potential volatility and limited liquidity during this festive period.
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Overview of Holiday Trading Period
The end-of-year holidays often bring shortened trading sessions or full market closures, especially in major financial centers like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. These adjustments can affect your ability to enter or exit positions, so awareness is key.
Below is a day-by-day summary of expected trading conditions from late December 2025 through early January 2026.
December 23 – Thursday
Markets operate under normal trading hours. No disruptions are expected.
December 24 – Friday
Christmas Eve brings early closures:
- US index futures: Close at 9:00 AM AEDT
- US stock markets: Closed
- Most off-exchange markets: Also close early
Traders should expect reduced liquidity and tighter spreads leading into the close.
December 25 – Saturday
- Forex and digital asset markets: Close at 9:00 AM AEDT
- Limited trading activity expected across crypto and spot FX pairs
December 26 – Sunday
- Weekend trading resumes normally
- Cryptocurrencies open at 7:00 PM AEDT
- Most traditional markets remain closed
December 27 – Monday
- Australian stock market: Closed
- Most other global markets trade under regular hours
- Index futures for Europe and Asia remain active with standard session timing
December 28 – Tuesday
- Australian equities: Still closed
- Other international markets continue normal operations
- Commodity and interest rate derivatives trade as usual
December 29 – Wednesday
Full return to normal trading across all major asset classes.
December 30 – Thursday
Standard market operations continue worldwide.
December 31 – Friday (New Year’s Eve)
- Australian stock market: Closes early
- Some European and US futures may have shortened sessions
- Crypto markets remain open but could experience low volume
January 1 – Saturday (New Year’s Day)
- Forex, digital assets, and OTC markets: Close at 9:00 AM AEDT
- No trading available on most platforms during this window
January 2 – Sunday
- Normal weekend trading resumes
- Cryptocurrency markets reopen at 7:00 PM AEDT
January 3 – Monday
- Australian stock exchange remains closed
- All other major indices and commodities trade normally
January 4 – Tuesday
Full market recovery with all global exchanges operating under standard conditions.
Market-Specific Holiday Schedule
Understanding how individual markets are affected helps refine your risk management strategy. Here's a breakdown by asset class:
Indices
| Market | Dec 24 | Dec 27 | Dec 28 | Dec 31 | Jan 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTSE® 100 | Futures close at 11:50 PM | Closed (off-exchange quotes available) | Closed (off-exchange quotes available) | Futures close at 11:50 PM (extended OTC until 9:00 AM Sat) | Closed |
| Wall Street / S&P 500 / Nasdaq 100 / Russell 2000 / FANG Index | Closed | Regular trading | Regular trading | Regular trading | Regular trading |
| Germany 40 | Closed | Regular trading | Regular trading | Closed (OTC until 9:00 AM Sat) | Regular trading |
| Japan 225 | Futures close at 8:15 AM Sat | Regular trading | Regular trading | Regular trading | Regular trading |
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Equities
Major national exchanges follow local public holidays:
- US Stocks: Closed on Dec 24; resume Dec 27
- UK Stocks: Close early on Dec 24 (11:30 PM AEDT); closed Dec 27 & 28
- German Stocks: Closed Dec 24 & 31
- Australian & New Zealand Shares: Close early on Dec 24; remain closed Dec 27–28 and Jan 3
- Hong Kong & Singapore: Close early on Dec 24 and Dec 31; resume regular hours afterward
Commodities
Energy and metals markets adjust for holidays:
- US Energy & Metals (NYMEX/COMEX): Closed Dec 24; regular close thereafter
- UK Energy: Early close on Dec 24 (12:00 AM Sat) and Dec 31 (7:00 AM Sat)
- CBOT & NYBOT (US agricultural commodities): Closed Dec 24; sugar, coffee, cocoa open late on Dec 27 & Jan 3
- UK Commodities: Closed Dec 24 & 27; resume normal trading Dec 28
Interest Rates
Interest rate futures reflect banking holidays:
- US Rates: Closed Dec 24; normal trading resumes Dec 27
- UK Rates: Early close on Dec 24 (11:15 PM AEDT); closed Dec 27 & Jan 3
- European Rates: Closed Dec 24 & 31; active otherwise
Key Trading Tips During Holiday Periods
Holiday markets often see lower liquidity, wider spreads, and unexpected price gaps. Consider these best practices:
- Avoid opening new positions just before closures.
- Set stop-losses carefully—slippage risk increases.
- Monitor economic data releases; some may be rescheduled.
- Use limit orders instead of market orders to control execution prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are cryptocurrency markets open during Christmas and New Year?
A: Yes, most digital asset platforms operate year-round. However, they may experience reduced liquidity and higher volatility during holiday periods.
Q: Why do some markets close early on Fridays before holidays?
A: Exchanges shorten sessions due to lower institutional participation. This helps prevent disorderly trading amid thin volumes.
Q: Will I be able to close my positions during a market closure?
A: No—once a market closes, you cannot trade until it reopens. Always review holiday schedules in advance.
Q: Do CFDs follow the same schedule as underlying markets?
A: Yes, CFD availability depends on the underlying exchange. If the stock or index is closed, the CFD will also be unavailable.
Q: Can I still access my account during non-trading days?
A: Yes, account management functions remain accessible even when markets are closed.
Q: How far in advance should I plan around holiday schedules?
A: At least one week ahead. Unexpected news or data shifts can occur just before closures, impacting post-holiday pricing.
Final Notes
While this schedule reflects anticipated adjustments for the 2025 holiday season, please note that timings are subject to change based on official exchange announcements. Always verify with your broker or platform provider before making critical trading decisions.
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By staying informed and planning accordingly, you can protect your capital and position yourself for strong performance in the new year. Whether you're managing a diversified portfolio or focusing on specific assets like indices, stocks, or digital currencies, understanding holiday trading dynamics is essential for long-term success.