As April 3 approaches, many are preparing for Good Friday, a significant religious holiday for Christians that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. While Good Friday is not a federal holiday, it holds importance across the nation with various observances, including church services. Many schools will also close early or not reopen until after spring break.
In several states, Good Friday is recognized as either a state holiday or a legal observance. These states include New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, North Carolina, Tennessee, Indiana, Kentucky, and Hawaii. Texas allows it as an optional holiday for state employees. This acknowledgment leads to varying local government office hours depending on state legislation.
However, for those interested in the financial markets, a key question remains: Are the stock markets open on Good Friday in 2026? The answer is no. Both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq will be closed on April 3. Trading will resume as normal on Monday, April 6, with market hours beginning at 9:30 a.m. ET.
The NYSE and Nasdaq follow a well-established schedule of holidays throughout the year, with a total of ten observed holidays in 2026. Alongside Good Friday, significant holidays include Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Presidents Day. Those curious about early closures surrounding these holidays can refer to the NYSE and Nasdaq holiday calendars for the complete schedule.
In addition to stock markets, the bond market will also close early on Good Friday, with trading halting at noon ET. The bond market will open around 8 a.m. ET on that day, before the early closure, in accordance with recommendations from the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA). Meanwhile, commodity futures markets, including those operated by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) and Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), will observe Good Friday as a full trading holiday.
While traditional equity markets will be closed, online trading platforms will remain active. This includes foreign exchanges and over-the-counter markets, as well as cryptocurrency markets that operate 24/7, allowing investors some avenues for trading. However, physical trading floors will be closed.
For those looking to invest, it’s important to act before Good Friday. Last-minute trading in U.S. stocks must be completed by the market’s close at 4 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 2. Financial experts advise utilizing the extended Easter weekend to review and reassess investment portfolios in anticipation of the market’s reopening on Monday.
