Stock Market Closed: NYSE & Nasdaq Holiday Hours for Thanksgiving Week
Thanksgiving week brings special trading hours for both the NYSE and Nasdaq. For anyone who follows the stock market, especially those doing stock research or trading AI stocks, knowing the NYSE Holiday / NASDAQ Holiday schedule is essential. Understanding when the markets are closed or closing early helps you plan trades, manage risk, and make informed decisions.
What Are the Thanksgiving Week Trading Hours?
According to the official U.S. market holiday calendar, both the NYSE and Nasdaq will be fully closed on Thanksgiving Day, which falls on Thursday, November 27, 2025. The next day, Black Friday, is not a full trading day. Instead, the markets will close early at 1:00 PM Eastern Time (ET) on Friday, November 28, 2025.
These hours apply to both exchanges. Nasdaq’s official holiday and trading calendar confirms the early close on Black Friday.
Regular Trading Hours Outside Holidays
On normal trading days, the NYSE and Nasdaq open at 9:30 AM ET and close at 4:00 PM ET, Meyka. In addition, there are pre-market trading sessions that usually begin at 4:00 AM ET, and after-hours trading that runs until 8:00 PM ET.
These extended hours can be useful for traders who monitor AI stocks or react to late-breaking news, but they also carry higher risks because of lower liquidity.
Why the NYSE & Nasdaq Close or Cut Hours for Thanksgiving
The NYSE Holiday / NASDAQ Holiday schedule is largely driven by historic and practical reasons.
First, Thanksgiving is a national holiday, and closing the markets aligns with broader economic and financial breaks. Many market participants, including large institutions, mutual funds, and analysts, are less active during this time, reducing trading volume.
Second, Black Friday’s early closing is a long-standing tradition. With many traders taking extended time off, liquidity typically drops in the afternoon. By closing at 1:00 PM ET, both exchanges reduce the risk of disorderly markets and protect against large swings caused by thin trading.
These holiday adjustments also affect trade settlement. Trades made just before or during the shortened session may settle with slight delays, which is important for those managing tight cash flows or executing stock research-driven strategies.
Impact of Holiday Hours on Trading Behavior
Lower Volume and Volatility
In a holiday week, trading volume often declines. With fewer participants, the stock market can experience wider bid-ask spreads and more erratic movements. The lower liquidity means that even moderate-sized trades can affect price action more than usual.
This effect is especially important for speculative or high-growth sectors, such as AI stocks, where pricing can swing fast on limited participation. Traders who rely on momentum may find that early Friday trades behave very differently compared to a standard full session.
Strategic Research and Positioning
For long-term investors or those doing in-depth stock research, Thanksgiving week offers a valuable window. Because markets calm down, it’s a good time to review earnings reports, run AI-powered screening tools, or assess year-end positioning without the distraction of heavy daily trading.
Investors may use holiday downtime to prepare strategies for December, refresh their watchlists, and set alerts for key events that often pick up pace after the holiday lull.
Settlement and Timing Risks
When you place trades in a holiday week, you must think about settlement. Since the NYSE and Nasdaq are closed on Thursday and close early on Friday, some trades may take longer to clear. This is something traders should consider if they rely on precise timing, for example, for tax planning or rebalancing.
How to Plan Your Trading Week Around the Holiday
Trade Earlier When Possible
If you’re active in sectors like AI or technology, consider executing important trades before the Thanksgiving break. Waiting until Friday afternoon can be risky, as liquidity drops and volatility may increase.
Use Research Tools Before the Holiday
Make use of AI-based research platforms to scan for opportunities, run back-tests, or generate trade ideas before the market slows. That way, you’re ready when markets reopen.
Watch for News Flow
News announcements often cluster around holidays. Some companies release earnings, product updates, or guidance just before or after Thanksgiving. Because trading is lighter, the market reaction can be more pronounced.
Communicate With Your Broker
Confirm with your broker whether they will support pre-market or after-hours trading during the holiday week. Not all platforms behave the same, and early close days like Black Friday may affect broker operations, which could influence execution.
Special Considerations for AI Stocks
AI stocks tend to be more reactive to news, earnings, and macro sentiment. During a holiday week, these stocks can be particularly sensitive. A surprising guidance update or a positive research report could trigger rapid moves in a thinned-out market.
Since trading volume drops, the leverage of a single institutional order is greater, magnifying its impact. Meanwhile, retail investors returning after the break might aggressively reenter positions. Using stock research tools powered by AI (for example, sentiment analysis, forecasting, or backtesting) can give you an edge in predicting or riding these swings.
What This Means for Long-Term Investors
If you are investing for the long term, especially in growth sectors like AI, you may not trade around these holiday hours. But there is still value in knowing the NYSE Holiday / NASDAQ Holiday schedule.
Thanksgiving week can be a calm period to reassess your goals, rebalance your portfolio, or run scenario analyses using AI-driven research platforms. It’s also a good time to ensure that all your alerts, stop-loss orders, and limit orders are properly set, so you don’t face surprises when markets resume their normal rhythm.
Conclusion
During Thanksgiving week, the NYSE Holiday / NASDAQ Holiday rules mean the stock market will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and will close early at 1:00 PM ET on Black Friday. These changes reduce liquidity and can increase volatility. By planning ahead, using stock research, optimizing trades before the holiday, and watching for news, you can navigate this week more effectively. For investors in fast-moving sectors like AI stocks, this is a strategic time to refine your approach and prepare for the weeks ahead.
FAQs
Because trading volume tends to drop sharply after Thanksgiving, both exchanges schedule an early close at 1:00 PM ET to maintain orderly markets and reduce risk.
No. The NYSE and Nasdaq are both fully closed on Thanksgiving Day with no regular, pre-market, or after-hours trading.
Trade settlement can be delayed because markets are closed on Thursday and close early on Friday. This may shift the settlement timeline, which matters when planning for liquidity, tax events, or reinvestment.
Disclaimer:
The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes. Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.
