You just finished the leftovers. The wrapping paper is shoved into a trash bag, and you’re finally sitting down with a coffee. Then it hits you—did the markets open back up today? It’s a fair question. Holiday schedules in the financial world are notoriously inconsistent.
Is the stock market open the day after Christmas? Honestly, the short answer is usually yes. Unless December 26 falls on a weekend, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq are open for business. But there is a lot more to it than just a "yes" or "no."
Trading on December 26 isn't like trading in the middle of October. It's weird. The volume is thin, the "big fish" are usually skiing in Aspen, and the price swings can get surprisingly jumpy. If you’re looking to trade, you need to know exactly what the calendar says for 2025 and 2026.
The 2025 and 2026 Schedule for December 26
For 2025, December 26 falls on a Friday. Both the NYSE and Nasdaq are fully open. Unlike Christmas Eve, which features an early 1:00 p.m. ET close, the day after Christmas is a standard trading session. You get the full 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET window.
Looking ahead to 2026? Things change slightly because of the calendar drift. In 2026, December 26 is a Saturday.
Since the market is already closed on weekends, there is no trading. However, because Christmas Day 2026 is a Friday, the market stays closed that day. You won't see any action until Monday, December 28.
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Why the Day After Christmas Feels Different
Even when the doors are open, Wall Street is a ghost town.
Most institutional traders—the folks at Goldman Sachs or BlackRock who move millions of shares—take the entire week off between Christmas and New Year’s. This leads to what we call "low liquidity." When there are fewer people buying and selling, even a relatively small trade can push a stock's price up or down more than usual.
It’s a double-edged sword. You might get a better price if you're lucky, or you might get "slippage" where your order fills at a price you didn't expect.
The Santa Claus Rally Factor
You’ve probably heard of the Santa Claus Rally. This isn't just a catchy name. It’s a documented phenomenon first identified by Yale Hirsch in the Stock Trader’s Almanac.
Historically, the market tends to rise during the last five trading days of December and the first two of January. Why?
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- Retail Optimism: Regular people are feeling good and spending holiday bonuses.
- Tax-Loss Harvesting: Most of the heavy selling to offset taxes is finished by mid-December.
- Absence of Bears: The pessimistic institutional "short sellers" are often on vacation.
Since 1950, the S&P 500 has gained an average of about 1.3% during this specific seven-day window. It doesn't happen every year—2024 actually saw a "reverse" rally where stocks dipped—but the odds are historically in favor of the bulls.
What About Bonds and International Markets?
Don't assume the bond market follows the stock market's lead. They are different beasts.
The bond market, which follows SIFMA (Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association) recommendations, is often more conservative. While stocks are open on December 26, 2025, the bond market often sees "recommendations" for early closes or light staffing. Always check your specific broker for fixed-income trades because they might have their own cutoff times.
If you trade international stocks, the "Day After Christmas" is actually a major holiday in many places.
- United Kingdom & Canada: They celebrate Boxing Day. The London Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange are closed.
- Europe: Most major European exchanges like the DAX (Germany) or the CAC 40 (France) remain closed for St. Stephen's Day.
Basically, if you’re looking to trade Shopify or BP on December 26, you might find their primary "home" exchanges are totally dark even while New York is buzzing.
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Survival Tips for Post-Christmas Trading
If you are planning to pull the trigger on some trades this Friday, December 26, 2025, keep these realities in mind.
Use Limit Orders. This is non-negotiable. Because of the thin volume I mentioned earlier, using a "market order" is risky. You might think a stock is at $50, but because nobody is selling, your market order could get filled at $50.50. A limit order ensures you only pay what you want.
Watch the "Gap." Since the market was closed for a full day on Christmas, news can pile up. When the bell rings at 9:30 a.m. on the 26th, stocks might "gap" up or down significantly from where they closed on Christmas Eve.
Check Your Banks. While the stock market is open, some banking functions (like wire transfers) might be slower or subject to holiday staffing at smaller credit unions. If you need to move money into your brokerage account to make a trade, do it a few days early.
Actionable Next Steps
Instead of just watching the ticker, here is how you should handle the day after Christmas:
- Verify Your Timezone: Remember that all market times are Eastern Time. If you're on the West Coast, that opening bell is at 6:30 a.m.
- Review Your Portfolio for 2026: Since the 26th is one of the final trading days of the year, it’s a great time to look at your "losers." Selling a stock that is down can help you lower your tax bill for the 2025 filing season.
- Set Realistic Expectations: Don't expect massive "breakout" news. Companies rarely release earnings or major merger announcements during the "dead week" between the holidays.
- Prepare for 2026 Closures: Mark your calendar now—since December 26, 2026, is a Saturday, the market will be closed. You won't have to worry about trading at all that year until the following Monday.
The day after Christmas is usually a quiet, low-stress day for the markets. It’s a "bridge" day. Use it to tidy up your positions rather than making massive, risky bets in a thin market.