Stock market hours today reopen at the standard 9:30 AM ET after the Christmas holiday. The NYSE and NASDAQ resume normal trading following closures on Christmas Day. Here’s everything investors need to know before markets open this Friday.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Markets open at 9:30 AM ET today (Friday, December 26)
- Pre-market trading begins at 4:00 AM ET for early participants
- After-hours trading runs until 8:00 PM ET for extended hours
- S&P 500 up approximately 19% year-to-date; Nasdaq up 24% on strong tech gains
Trading Resumes After Holiday Closure
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The stock market returns to regular operations following the mandatory Christmas Day closure on December 25. The New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ Stock Market both reopen with standard trading hours at 9:30 AM Eastern Time.
Markets closed early on Wednesday, December 24 at 1:00 PM ET for Christmas Eve, then remained completely closed on Thursday. This represents the typical holiday schedule maintained annually by Wall Street.
Complete Trading Hours for Friday, December 26
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Investors can access the market during several distinct trading windows today. Pre-market trading begins before the official opening, allowing institutional traders and active investors to execute orders before volume ramps up.
The core trading session runs from 9:30 AM through 4:00 PM ET. After the official close, extended hours trading continues until 8:00 PM ET for those monitoring positions or seeking last-minute execution opportunities.
| Trading Session | Time (Eastern) |
| Pre-Market Trading | 4:00 AM – 9:30 AM ET |
| Core Trading Session | 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM ET |
| After-Hours Trading | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET |
| Bond Market Close | 4:00 PM ET |
Market Returns to ‘Santa Claus Rally’ Momentum
Wall Street reopens during what traders call the ‘Santa Claus Rally,’ the traditional year-end surge in stock valuations. The S&P 500 has gained approximately 19% in 2025, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite leads with gains exceeding 24%.
Trading volume is expected to remain light through the end of the year, typical for holiday-shortened weeks. European and several Asian markets remained closed today for Boxing Day, further reducing overall trading activity.
What Comes Next After Today’s Session
Investors should note that New Year’s Eve falls on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, when markets will close early at 1:00 PM ET. The stock market will then close completely for New Year’s Day on January 1, 2026.
This means traders have just a few regular trading days remaining before the market heads toward the new year. The holiday schedule provides investors with planning opportunities as they finalize positions and review performance for the 2025 fiscal year.
Will Trading Activity Meet Expectations Today?
Post-holiday trading sessions typically see reduced volume as many institutional investors remain on holiday break through year-end. Trading was expected to be particularly light at the end of this holiday-shortened week, according to market observers.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 both opened near flatline territory on Friday morning, suggesting measured momentum as traders returned from the extended holiday weekend. Key indices hovered near record levels heading into the final trading week of 2025.
Sources
- NYSE – Official trading hours and holiday calendar
- CNBC – Market open coverage and price movements
- Economic Times – Holiday trading hours verification
Patrick Graham is a business and finance journalist translating Wall Street’s complexities into stories that matter to everyday readers. With extensive experience in financial journalism and economic analysis, this expert journalist provides sharp insights on market trends, corporate developments, and the economic forces affecting daily life. His reporting helps readers make sense of the business world’s biggest moves.