American financial markets are preparing for the annual Thanksgiving break, with significant changes to trading schedules that global investors need to mark on their calendars. The upcoming holiday season will see complete market closure followed by abbreviated sessions, affecting trading strategies worldwide.
Thanksgiving Closure and Black Friday Shortened Session
The benchmark indices on Wall Street will remain completely shut on Thursday, November 27, 2025, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. This traditional closure marks the official beginning of the holiday shopping season across the United States, impacting not just American traders but also international investors who track US market movements.
According to the official holiday calendar published by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), trading activities will resume on Friday, November 28, 2025, but with significantly reduced hours. The markets will operate for a shortened session on account of Black Friday, the much-anticipated shopping event that follows Thanksgiving.
On this Black Friday session, US stock market indices will conclude trading at 1:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), while the bond market will wrap up slightly later at 2:00 PM EDT. This early closure coincides with one of the biggest retail shopping days of the year, when American consumers traditionally kick off their holiday purchasing with massive discounts and promotions.
Upcoming Holiday Schedule and Market Performance
Looking further ahead, investors should note that only one more stock market holiday remains for the year 2025 after Thanksgiving. Christmas Day on Thursday, December 25, 2025, will see complete market closure, as confirmed by the NYSE official holiday list.
The trading schedule around Christmas will also feature adjustments, with early market closure at 1:00 PM EDT on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, preceding the holiday. Regular trading hours will resume on Friday, December 26, 2025, after the Christmas break.
As markets prepared for the upcoming holiday, Wednesday, November 26, 2025, saw normal trading activity with positive momentum. The Dow Jones Industrial Average opened strong, gaining 0.18% to reach 47,196.15 points compared to its previous close of 47,112.45 points. The broader S&P 500 index demonstrated even stronger performance, opening 0.41% higher at 6,793.55 points versus its previous settlement of 6,765.88 points.
Technology stocks led the charge, with the Nasdaq Composite index posting the most substantial gains, rising 0.60% to open at 23,163.194 points compared to its prior close of 23,025.59 points. This optimistic opening reflected growing investor confidence in potential Federal Reserve rate cuts.
Complete Wall Street Holiday Calendar for 2026
For forward-looking planning, the NYSE has already released the comprehensive holiday schedule for 2026. The list includes ten market closures throughout the year:
- New Year's Day holiday — Thursday, January 1
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday — Monday, January 19
- Washington's Birthday holiday — Monday, February 16
- Good Friday holiday — Friday, April 3
- Memorial Day holiday — Monday, May 25
- Juneteenth National Independence Day holiday — Friday, June 19
- Independence Day holiday — Friday, July 3 (Independence Day observed)
- Labor Day holiday — Monday, September 7
- Thanksgiving Day holiday — Thursday, November 26
- Christmas Day holiday — Friday, December 25
Indian investors and market participants with exposure to US equities should carefully note these holiday schedules to adjust their trading strategies and avoid unexpected disruptions. The Thanksgiving closure particularly affects global market liquidity and often sets the tone for year-end trading patterns.
With the holiday season approaching, market volumes typically see significant fluctuations, and the shortened Black Friday session often experiences heightened volatility as traders adjust positions before the weekend. Understanding these seasonal patterns becomes crucial for effective portfolio management and risk mitigation in global markets.
