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 major financial markets including indices, stocks, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. All times listed are in Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT), ensuring clarity for global participants.
Understanding these temporary shifts helps investors avoid unexpected gaps in liquidity and access, especially during key economic events or portfolio rebalancing periods.
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Holiday Trading Schedule Overview (December 2025 – January 2026)
Markets often operate on reduced hours or close entirely during public holidays, particularly around Christmas and New Year. Below is a day-by-day summary of expected trading activity.
December 23 – Thursday
Normal trading conditions apply across all major asset classes.
December 24 – Friday
- U.S. index futures close at 9:00 AM AEDT.
- Most OTC markets follow similar early closures.
- U.S. equities are closed for the day.
- Several international stock exchanges operate on shortened schedules.
December 25 – Saturday
- Forex and digital asset markets close at 9:00 AM AEDT.
- Limited liquidity expected; automated systems may remain active.
December 26 – Sunday
- Weekend trading resumes normally.
- Cryptocurrency markets reopen at 7:00 PM AEDT.
December 27 – Monday
- Australian stock market closed.
- Most other global indices and commodities trade under regular session times.
December 28 – Tuesday
- Continued closure of the Australian equity market.
- All other primary financial instruments available during standard hours.
December 29–30 – Wednesday & Thursday
Full恢复正常 trading across all regions and asset classes.
December 31 – Friday
- Australian stocks close early.
- Many global markets remain open but may experience lower volume as traders exit positions before the new year.
January 1 – Saturday (2026)
- Forex, cryptocurrency, and OTC markets shut down at 9:00 AM AEDT.
- Minimal price movement anticipated due to low participation.
January 2 – Sunday
- Weekend operations resume, including crypto trading from 7:00 PM AEDT onward.
January 3 – Monday
- Australian equities remain closed.
- International markets function normally.
January 4 – Tuesday
Full return to regular trading schedules worldwide.
Detailed Market Adjustments by Asset Class
To help you plan ahead, here’s an in-depth look at how specific markets will be affected during this festive period.
Index Futures & Global Benchmarks
Major index futures see staggered closures:
- Wall Street, S&P 500, Nasdaq 100 (US Tech 100), Russell 2000, FANG Index: Closed on December 24 and January 1.
- FTSE 100 (UK): Futures halt at 11:50 PM on December 24 and December 31, with out-of-hours pricing available until 9:00 AM the next day.
- DAX (Germany 40) and CAC 40 (France 40): Both close early on December 24 and December 31, with limited after-hours access.
- Japan 225 and Singapore Blue Chip: Cease trading Saturday morning at 8:15 AM AEDT on affected days.
- Hong Kong HS50 and China H-Shares: Close early at 3:00 PM on December 24 and December 31, with extended OTC availability.
Australian index futures (ASX 200) end early on both December 24 and December 31 (at 2:10 PM and 2:30 PM respectively), with after-hours quotes provided until Saturday morning.
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Equities Markets
Equity trading is significantly impacted:
- U.S. Stock Market: Closed on December 24 and operating normally thereafter.
- UK, Germany, France, Spain, Australia, New Zealand: All observe early or full-day closures on key dates.
- Japan Stock Exchange: Closed on both December 31 and January 1.
- Hong Kong and Singapore: Operate under shortened hours on December 24 and December 31.
Traders should monitor ETFs linked to these indices, which may also reflect altered trading patterns.
Commodities & Energy
Commodity markets show partial disruptions:
- U.S. Energy, Metals (COMEX), CBOT, NYBOT: Closed on December 24; normal operations resume afterward.
- Notably, sugar, coffee, and cocoa open late (11:30 PM AEDT) on December 27 and January 3.
- UK Energy & Commodities: Experience early closures on holiday Fridays, with carbon emissions trading suspended.
Interest Rate Products
Rate-sensitive instruments adjust as follows:
- U.S. Interest Rate Futures: Closed only on December 24; active otherwise.
- UK & European Rates: Halt early on December 24 and December 31, with full closures on non-trading weekdays like January 3.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Are cryptocurrency markets fully closed during holidays?
A: No. While some platforms reduce services, major digital asset exchanges continue operations, typically resuming full functionality at 7:00 PM AEDT on weekends.
Q: Will I be able to trade U.S. stocks on December 24?
A: No. The U.S. equity market is closed on that day. However, pre-market data might still be accessible through certain brokers.
Q: Do index futures always close early when underlying markets are shut?
A: Generally yes. Index futures mirror the availability of their benchmark assets, though out-of-hours pricing may be offered via OTC channels.
Q: What happens to my open positions during market closures?
A: Open positions remain active unless manually closed. Be cautious of potential slippage when markets reopen due to low liquidity.
Q: Is there weekend trading for commodities?
A: Most commodity markets are closed over weekends, except select energy and metal derivatives offered through specialized platforms.
Q: How can I stay updated if schedules change?
A: Always verify with your broker or platform provider for last-minute adjustments due to unforeseen circumstances.
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Final Notes
While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, please note that these trading hour adjustments are subject to change based on official exchange announcements. Traders are advised to consult their service providers for real-time updates leading into the holiday season.
Proper planning around these shifts allows investors to manage risk, optimize entry/exit points, and maintain control over their portfolios—even during the busiest time of the year.