Is the Market Open Tomorrow in the USA?
Yes, the U.S. stock market will be open tomorrow, Friday. It can feel confusing trying to figure out the schedule, but the answer to “is the market open tomorrow in the USA?” almost always comes down to just three simple things: the day of the week, a public holiday, or the specific time of day.
The easiest way to frame it is to think of the major U.S. exchanges, like the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq, as a very specific kind of store. They have set business hours from Monday to Friday, close down completely on weekends, and observe a unique list of holidays that, as many people discover, doesn’t always match the standard federal calendar. For instance, the stock market is famously open on Veterans Day but closed on Good Friday.
This guide provides the simple answers you need by covering the market’s exact daily schedule, the full 2024 market holiday calendar, and what happens to your orders when everything is closed.
What Are the Normal US Stock Market Hours?
The U.S. stock market operates on a surprisingly consistent schedule, much like a bank or post office. Normal trading hours for major exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ are from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Those hours are always in Eastern Time (ET). Think of this as the official “market clock” that everyone in the country follows, regardless of where they live. This means if you are on the West Coast in California, the market opens at 6:30 AM your local time. This single time zone standard keeps trading synchronized for everyone.
Just like most businesses, the market is always closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Any buy or sell orders you place during the weekend simply wait in a queue to be processed when trading reopens on Monday morning. While this daily schedule is consistent, the market also closes for specific holidays, which don’t always line up with the national calendar.
The Official 2024 US Stock Market Holiday Calendar
Beyond weekends, the U.S. stock market also closes for a specific set of holidays. This “market holiday” schedule isn’t the same as the list of all U.S. federal holidays; the major exchanges, like the NYSE and NASDAQ, set their own calendar. For 2024, these are the days you can expect the market to be fully closed.
Here is the official guide to the 2024 US market holidays:
- New Year’s Day: Monday, January 1
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: Monday, January 15
- Washington’s Birthday: Monday, February 19
- Good Friday: Friday, March 29
- Memorial Day: Monday, May 27
- Juneteenth: Wednesday, June 19
- Independence Day: Thursday, July 4
- Labor Day: Monday, September 2
- Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 28
- Christmas Day: Wednesday, December 25
You might notice a few surprises on that list. For example, the stock market is closed for Good Friday, which isn’t a federal holiday. On the flip side, the market remains open for business on federal holidays like Veterans Day and Columbus Day. Knowing these key differences can save you from wondering why you can’t make a trade. While these days are full closures, the market also has a few special days where it closes early.
Are There Ever Half-Days for the Stock Market?
Yes, in addition to full holidays, the stock market occasionally operates on a shortened schedule. On these specific “half-days,” trading halts early at 1:00 PM Eastern Time (ET) instead of the usual 4:00 PM. Think of it as the market closing its doors just after lunch. This is an important exception to the normal stock market hours Monday through Friday, and knowing the schedule can prevent any last-minute surprises if you’re planning to make a trade.
These early closures are rare and almost always happen right before or after a major market holiday. The most consistent half-day on the upcoming stock market half-day schedule is the Friday after Thanksgiving. The market may also close early on Christmas Eve or on the day before or after the July 4th holiday, depending on the day of the week they fall. While these modified NYSE trading hours apply to stocks, other financial markets can have their own unique calendars.
Is the Bond Market Schedule Different from the Stock Market?
Yes, the bond market definitely has its own unique calendar, which can be a source of confusion. While stock exchanges like the NYSE and NASDAQ set their own trading hours, the U.S. bond market schedule is based on recommendations from an industry group called SIFMA (Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association). Because they operate independently, you can’t assume one market is open just because the other is, which is why checking for SIFMA recommended holiday closings is important for bond investors.
A perfect example is Columbus Day. On this federal holiday, the stock market is typically open for business as usual. However, the bond market is almost always closed. This difference is a key reason why it’s always best to check the specific market you’re interested in, as their holiday calendars don’t always match up.
Why Do Stock Prices Move When the Market Is Closed?
It’s a common source of confusion: you check a stock price in the evening, long after the 4:00 PM ET closing bell, and see that it’s still changing. This isn’t a glitch. While the main “trading floor” is closed, there are limited electronic trading sessions that happen both before the market opens and after it closes.
Think of the regular market hours (9:30 AM to 4:00 PM ET) as the main hours for a giant department store. The pre-market trading hours and the after-hours trading session are like special, limited-access entry for professional and institutional investors. The volume of buying and selling is much lower, but big news can still cause prices to move.
For most individual investors, these extended sessions aren’t something to worry about. The prices and liquidity are geared toward large-scale traders, which is why the official stock market opening and closing times are what matter for the public.
What Happens If I Place an Order When the Market Is Closed?
If you decide to buy stocks after hours, don’t worry—your order is safe and this is a completely standard practice. Think of it like getting in line for a big sale before the store even unlocks its doors. Your brokerage simply takes your order and holds it in a queue. It’s essentially saving your place so that your request is ready to go the moment the opening bell rings.
When trading officially begins, your order is sent to be filled. The final price will be whatever the stock is trading for at that moment, not necessarily the price you saw when you placed the order. Because news can change a stock’s value overnight, the price you get might be slightly different. This is a normal part of what happens when you trade after hours.
Your Go-To Guide for Checking Market Hours Yourself
You’ve gone from asking a question to knowing the system. The next time you wonder about the NASDAQ market open time, you won’t need to search. You can simply run through the three core rules: the market is open Monday to Friday from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern, it’s always closed on weekends, and you just need to check if it’s one of the specific market holidays.
For that final holiday check, you now have the ultimate tool. Find the official NYSE holiday schedule page and bookmark it. This simple guide to US market holidays comes straight from the source. By saving it, you’re not just getting an answer for tomorrow; you’re guaranteeing you can find the correct answer for any day, anytime, in seconds.
