You’re standing there, coffee in hand, ready to check your watch and see how the S&P 500 futures are looking. It's Friday, April 3, 2026. But the screen is dead. No flashing green or red tickers. No frantic movement. Honestly, it’s a bit eerie if you’re used to the usual weekday chaos.
The short answer: No. The stock market is not open today, Good Friday.
Both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq are fully closed for the day. This isn't just a "close early" situation like the day after Thanksgiving. It is a full-stop, no-trading-allowed holiday. It's one of those weird quirks of the American financial system where a day that isn't a federal holiday still manages to shut down the biggest engine of capitalism on the planet.
The Good Friday Paradox: Closed Markets vs. Open Banks
If you try to run to the post office today, it’s open. If you need to stop by the bank to talk to a teller, they’re likely there. That’s because Good Friday is not a federal holiday in the United States.
The Federal Reserve is open. The government is working. But the floor of the NYSE? Dark.
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This creates a bit of a headache for people who don't follow the exchange calendars closely. Usually, the stock market follows the federal holiday schedule—think MLK Day, Presidents' Day, or Labor Day. But Good Friday is the lone wolf. It’s a "market holiday" but not a "bank holiday."
Why? History. The NYSE has been closing on Good Friday for over a century, with only a tiny handful of exceptions (like in 1906 and 1907). It’s a tradition that has stuck, even as the world around it has become more secular and 24/7.
Is the Bond Market Open Today?
This is where it gets even more confusing. While the stock market is 100% closed, the bond market operates on a different set of rules.
Typically, groups like SIFMA (the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association) recommend a shortened trading day for bonds on Good Friday. In 2026, the bond market is tentatively scheduled to close at 12:00 p.m. ET.
So, while you can't trade Apple or Tesla stock, the pros might still be shuffling Treasury notes around for a few hours in the morning. If you’re a casual investor, this probably won't affect you, but it’s a good reminder that "the market" isn't just one giant thing that flips a single switch.
Global Markets: A Mixed Bag
If you’re thinking, "Fine, I’ll just trade international stocks," you might be out of luck there too. Good Friday is a massive holiday in Europe and many other parts of the world.
- London Stock Exchange: Closed.
- Euronext (Paris, Amsterdam): Closed.
- Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX): Closed.
- Tokyo (TSE): Open (Japan doesn't traditionally observe Good Friday).
Basically, if the country has a strong Christian history, their markets are probably taking the day off.
What About Monday?
In the U.S., everything returns to normal on Monday, April 6. The 9:30 a.m. ET opening bell will ring as usual.
However, many European markets stay closed for Easter Monday. If you're trading global ETFs, you might notice lower-than-usual volume on Monday because half the world is still eating chocolate eggs while the U.S. is back to the grind.
Actionable Steps for the Long Weekend
Since you can't trade, use this forced break to your advantage.
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- Audit your "Open Orders": If you have limit orders sitting out there, remember they won't trigger today. Check if any news dropped over the weekend that makes those prices look like a bad idea come Monday morning.
- Review the Bond Yields: Since the bond market had a half-day, see where yields landed. Often, a move in the bond market on Good Friday (while stocks are closed) can signal how the stock market will gap up or down on Monday.
- Check the Jobs Report: Sometimes, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics releases the "Employment Situation" report on Good Friday. This is wild because the report can move the entire economy, but investors can't trade on it until the following Monday. Check if a report dropped this morning; if it did, expect a volatile Monday open.
- Step Away from the Ticker: Seriously. The market is closed. Take the win, enjoy the day, and let the algorithms rest.
The stock market being open today on Good Friday simply isn't happening, so take the day to breathe. The volatility will be waiting for you next week.