You’re staring at your brokerage app, wondering if that limit order is going to hit, and then you remember—wait, is it a holiday? Specifically, is the stock market closed for Juneteenth?
The short answer is yes.
Honestly, it wasn't always this way. If you were trading back in 2020, you probably don't remember a "Juneteenth break" because, frankly, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq didn't recognize it yet. But things changed fast. Nowadays, Juneteenth is a staple on the Wall Street calendar, right alongside Christmas and the Fourth of July.
The 2026 Schedule: Mark Your Calendar
For 2026, Juneteenth (June 19) falls on a Friday. This is basically the "best-case scenario" for traders looking for a long weekend.
Both the NYSE and the Nasdaq will be fully closed.
This isn't just a partial closure or an early exit. The doors are locked. There’s no pre-market session at 4:00 a.m. ET, and there’s definitely no late-night trading. If you try to move shares on Friday, June 19, 2026, nothing is going to happen until the opening bell rings at 9:30 a.m. ET on Monday, June 22.
It’s worth noting that the bond market usually follows its own drummer, guided by SIFMA (the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association). In 2026, they are recommending a full market close for U.S. dollar-denominated fixed income securities. So, if you're looking to trade Treasuries, you’re out of luck there too.
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Why Did the Market Start Closing for Juneteenth?
It’s actually a pretty recent development. President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law on June 17, 2021. Because the law was signed so close to the actual date that year, the markets didn't have time to pivot immediately.
2022 was the real "Year One" for the stock market.
That was the first time the NYSE and Nasdaq officially shut down to observe the holiday. It was a big deal. For over 150 years, the day—which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States—was celebrated in communities, particularly in Texas, but ignored by the financial hubs.
Now, it’s a permanent fixture.
"All Americans can feel the power of this day, and learn from our history," Biden said during the 2021 signing.
Wall Street eventually agreed.
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What Happens to Your Money While the Market Is Shut?
Nothing moves. That’s the simplest way to put it.
But "nothing moves" only applies to the U.S. exchanges. If you’re trading international stocks or crypto, it’s a different world.
- Cryptocurrency: Bitcoin doesn't care about federal holidays. The crypto markets will be wide open, 24/7.
- International Markets: The London Stock Exchange (LSE), the Nikkei in Tokyo, and the Hong Kong markets will all be trading as usual.
- Futures: U.S. stock futures (like the E-mini S&P 500) usually have shortened sessions. They’ll trade for part of the day but will halt early, usually around 1:00 p.m. ET.
Liquidity gets weird.
When the "big boys" in New York are gone, the volume drops off a cliff. This can lead to higher volatility in the few assets that are still trading. If you’re a day trader, you’ve probably noticed that the days leading up to a long weekend like Juneteenth are often "choppy." People are squaring their positions, taking profits, or just heading to the beach.
Does This Affect Settlement Times?
Yes. This is the part that trips people up.
We’ve moved to a T+1 settlement cycle in the U.S. That means if you sell a stock on Thursday, June 18, it would normally settle on Friday. But since the stock market is closed for Juneteenth, that settlement date gets pushed to Monday, June 22.
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If you’re counting on that cash to pay a bill or move to a high-yield savings account, you’ll be waiting an extra few days. Plan accordingly.
What to Watch Out For Around the Holiday
History shows us that the week of Juneteenth can be interesting. In 2025, for example, the Federal Reserve held an interest rate meeting just before the holiday. When the market is closed for a day in the middle of a high-news week, the "reopening" on the following day can be explosive.
Investors digest all the global news that happened while the U.S. was dark, and they cram all that buying and selling into the first hour of trading on Monday.
Actionable Steps for Traders
- Check your margins: If you're holding leveraged positions over a long weekend, remember that you can't exit them if something crazy happens in the news on Friday.
- Set GTC orders: "Good 'Til Canceled" orders will stay in the system, but they won't execute until Monday.
- Verify Bank Holidays: Most banks follow the Federal Reserve's schedule, meaning they will also be closed on June 19. Wire transfers might be delayed.
Basically, enjoy the break. The market isn't going anywhere. Whether you're using the time to reflect on the historical significance of the day or just taking a breather from the tickers, the candles will be waiting for you on Monday morning.
Next Steps for You:
Verify your specific broker’s schedule, as some smaller platforms might have slightly different "support" hours even if the exchanges are closed. If you have expiring options for that Friday, check your contract details—they will likely settle on the Thursday prior.