Yes, the stock market opens Friday, December 26, 2025, after a one-day holiday closure on Christmas. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq will resume regular full trading hours from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET Friday, giving investors a short window before the year ends. This brief trading week sets up a critical period for the year-end Santa Claus rally.
🔥 Quick Facts
- NYSE and Nasdaq close early December 24 at 1:00 p.m. ET, then shut entirely December 25 for Christmas
- Full trading resumes Friday, December 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET with regular hours
- Sant Claus rally runs December 24 through early January, historically delivering 1.3% average returns
- S&P 500 posted record highs on December 24 as investors position for year-end gains
NYSE and Nasdaq Trading Schedule This Week
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After closing early on Wednesday, December 24, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time, both the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market shut entirely on Thursday, December 25, for the Christmas holiday. The exchange operators made this official announcement in mid-December to give traders adequate planning time.
Wall Street reopens for a full Friday, December 26, session with standard trading hours from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. This short window before year-end gives portfolio managers and individual investors a final opportunity to adjust positions or make strategic trades before January arrives.
Why Friday Matters: The Santa Claus Rally Is On
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The Friday, December 26, reopening comes at a critical moment in the investing calendar. Seasonal market patterns suggest stock prices tend to rise during the final trading days of December and opening days of January, a phenomenon known as the Santa Claus rally. The S&P 500 set fresh record highs on December 24, setting up an optimistic backdrop for this rally.
Historical data shows the Santa Claus rally occurs about 78% of the time, delivering an average 1.3% return during this specific trading window. Investors have already voiced hopes this seasonal strength will materialize in 2025, giving the stock market momentum heading into 2026. Trading volumes are expected to remain lighter than normal during holiday weeks, which can sometimes amplify price moves.
What Investors Need to Know About Holiday Trading
| Trading Day | Status | Trading Hours (ET) |
| December 24 (Wednesday) | Early Close | 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. |
| December 25 (Thursday) | Closed | No Trading |
| December 26 (Friday) | Full Session | 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| December 31 (Wednesday) | Regular | 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
Holiday liquidity remains a key concern for traders this time of year. With thinner trading volumes expected, spreads on stocks may widen, meaning buyers pay more and sellers receive less per share. This reduced liquidity can sometimes lead to increased volatility on Friday’s session, especially if significant market-moving news hits during holiday hours.
Record Highs Set Stage for Final Week Push
The Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all closed at record highs Wednesday, December 24, as investors positioned bullishly ahead of the holiday. This strength reflects underlying optimism about corporate earnings, Federal Reserve policy, and economic conditions supporting equities into 2026. Wall Street appears positioned for the traditional year-end buying pattern.
Traders who took profits during recent volatility may use Friday’s reopening as an opportunity to build positions. Meanwhile, investors who accumulated cash during the year might deploy it in the final trading days. This dynamic typically supports the upward momentum of the Santa Claus rally, making Friday a potentially pivotal trading session before year-end.
When Will the Stock Market Close Again After Friday?
After Friday, December 26, the NYSE and Nasdaq continue regular trading through the week. Wednesday, December 31, marks New Year’s Eve and will also operate with full trading hours. However, the market will close entirely for New Year’s Day on Thursday, January 1, 2026. This means traders have four full trading days remaining in 2025 to finalize year-end positions, rebalance portfolios, or lock in gains.
Planning ahead is critical for investors managing deadlines around year-end tax considerations and portfolio rebalancing. The tight trading schedule combined with holiday liquidity shifts means every session counts before the calendar flips to 2026. Keep an eye on market news, economic data, and company announcements that could impact Friday’s trading and set the tone for the final week of the year.
Sources
- Reuters – Major US exchanges remain open on December 26, 2025
- USA Today – Stock market holiday schedule and trading hours
- Investopedia – Santa Claus rally patterns and historical data
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.