The stock market is closed on Good Friday
The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), NASDAQ, and all U.S. stock markets close on Good Friday. This is one of ten days per year when U.S. markets do not operate. Good Friday falls on a different date each year because it is tied to the lunar calendar — it is always the Friday before Easter Sunday.
When the market is closed, you cannot buy or sell stocks, mutual funds, or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) through normal trading channels. Any orders you place will not execute until the market reopens the following trading day, which is typically Monday after Good Friday.
If you hold stocks or funds, their values do not change on a closed market day. However, news and events that happen while the market is closed can affect prices when trading resumes. For example, if major economic data is released on Good Friday evening, the market may open Monday at a different price than Friday's close.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. stock markets close completely on Good Friday, and no trading occurs through the NYSE, NASDAQ, or any broker.
- Good Friday occurs on a different date each year, ranging from late March to late April, because it follows the lunar calendar.
- Orders placed on Good Friday will not execute until the market reopens on Monday morning.
- The market observes ten closure days per year, including New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
When Good Friday falls and how to plan ahead
Good Friday is always the Friday before Easter Sunday. Easter itself moves each year because it is calculated based on the spring equinox and the lunar cycle. This means Good Friday can fall anywhere between March 30 and April 23.
If you plan to trade around the Easter holiday, check your broker's calendar at the start of the year or in early spring. Most brokers publish their holiday closure schedule on their website. Knowing the exact date helps you avoid placing orders you expect to fill on a day when the market is closed.
Some brokers offer after-hours trading, but this is not the same as regular market trading. After-hours sessions have lower volume, wider price spreads, and higher risk. They do not operate on market closure days like Good Friday.
All ten U.S. market closure days each year
Good Friday is one of ten days when U.S. stock markets close. The complete list is:
| Holiday | Typical Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 | Fixed date |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Third Monday in January | Observed, not fixed |
| Presidents' Day | Third Monday in February | Observed, not fixed |
| Good Friday | Late March to late April | Lunar calendar; varies yearly |
| Memorial Day | Last Monday in May | Observed, not fixed |
| Juneteenth | June 19 | Fixed date |
| Independence Day | July 4 | Fixed date |
| Labor Day | First Monday in September | Observed, not fixed |
| Thanksgiving Day | Fourth Thursday in November | Observed, not fixed |
| Christmas Day | December 25 | Fixed date |
When a fixed holiday like Christmas or Independence Day falls on a weekend, the market may close on the nearest weekday instead. For example, if Christmas falls on a Saturday, the market closes on Friday, December 24. Check your broker's calendar to confirm the exact closure date in any given year.
What happens to your orders when the market is closed
If you submit a buy or sell order while the market is closed — including on Good Friday — your broker will hold that order in a queue. Once the market reopens, your order enters the trading system and executes based on the price and conditions you set.
A market order (sell at any price) will fill as soon as the market opens, though the price may be very different from Friday's close. A limit order (sell only at a specific price or better) may not fill at all if the stock never reaches that price after the market reopens.
This is why many traders avoid placing orders late on a Thursday before Good Friday. The longer the gap between when you place an order and when the market reopens, the more time for news and events to change stock prices.
International markets and Good Friday
Good Friday closures vary by country. The London Stock Exchange, Toronto Stock Exchange, and most European markets close on Good Friday. However, some Asian markets like the Tokyo Stock Exchange and Hong Kong Stock Exchange remain open because Good Friday is not a holiday in those regions.
If you own international stocks or funds that track foreign markets, prices in those markets may move on Good Friday while U.S. markets are closed. When the U.S. market reopens Monday, those price changes can affect how your international holdings open.
How to prepare for Good Friday trading
Plan your trades at least one day before Good Friday. If you know you want to buy or sell on or around the Easter weekend, place your orders by Thursday morning so they have time to execute before the market closes.
If you receive dividend payments or other corporate actions scheduled for Good Friday, they typically process as normal, but you will not see the cash or shares in your account until the market reopens on Monday.
Set a calendar reminder for Good Friday each year, especially if you trade frequently. Missing a market closure can lead to unexpected delays in executing time-sensitive trades.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I trade on Good Friday through my broker's app?
No. The entire U.S. stock market is closed on Good Friday, so no broker can execute stock trades that day. Some brokers offer pre-market or after-hours trading on regular days, but these sessions do not operate on market closure days.
What if I need to sell stock urgently on Good Friday?
You cannot sell on Good Friday itself. You can place a sell order that will execute when the market reopens on Monday morning. If you need cash urgently, contact your broker to discuss other options, though none will give you the proceeds before Monday at the earliest.
Do mutual funds and ETFs trade on Good Friday?
Mutual funds and ETFs do not trade on Good Friday. Mutual fund prices are set once per day after the market closes, so Good Friday has no price update. ETFs trade like stocks and cannot be bought or sold when the market is closed.
Will my stock price change on Good Friday?
Your stock's value does not change on a closed market day because no trading occurs. However, news released on Good Friday can cause the price to jump when the market reopens Monday. Your account will show the new price at Monday's open.
Is the bond market also closed on Good Friday?
Yes. The U.S. Treasury bond market, corporate bond market, and most fixed-income markets close on Good Friday along with the stock market. Some over-the-counter bond trading may occur, but it is limited and carries higher risk.