Is the stock market open on New Year?

The end of the year may prompt you to review your finances ahead of the new year, but with several bank holidays over the Christmas period, investors may be wondering when the stock market will be open.

The UK stock market will be closed on Wednesday, 1 January 2025, to observe the first day of the new calendar year.

The UK stock market opening times are 8am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday, with a small break between 12pm and 12.02pm.

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However, public holidays and events can impact when the stock market opens. For instance, the stock market is not open on Christmas but observes a half-day on Christmas Eve.

This year has seen a lot of highs and lows – inflation appeared to peak at 3.8% and has been slowing since, interest rates have been cut four times, and the Autumn Budget has resulted in higher tax bills for wealthy households.

We look at when the stock market is open in the final few days of 2025 and the trading calendar for 2026.

Don’t miss our key money dates for 2026 guide.

Is the UK stock market open on New Year?

The UK stock market will be closed on New Year’s Day, which falls on Thursday, 1 January 2025.

The London Stock Exchange (LSE) observes eight standard holidays throughout the calendar year, including Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Good Friday. The LSE recognises public and bank holidays in England and Wales – but not bank holidays which are only in Scotland or Northern Ireland.

On New Year’s Eve, which falls on 31 December 2025, the stock market is open for a half-day and will close from 12:30pm.

Investors can ring in the new year with an extended holiday before getting on with work and other commitments, such as filing a tax return to HMRC before the deadline passes on 31 January.

When is the UK stock market closed in 2026?

Here are all the bank holidays in 2026 and what it means for investors looking to trade on the London Stock Exchange.

When is the US stock market closed in 2026?

Both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq observe ten stock market holidays every year. Sometimes, the markets close early a day before or after a holiday.

For instance, the US markets are open for half a day on Christmas Eve and Black Friday, which is the day after Thanksgiving.

Unlike the London Stock Exchange, the US stock markets will remain open for trading on New Year’s Eve. However, the US markets will be closed on New Year’s Day.

Both stock exchanges’ standard opening hours are Monday to Friday 9:30am to 4pm Eastern Standard Time (EST), which is 2:30pm to 9pm in the UK.

Here are the stock market holidays for 2026.