Is the Market Open on Columbus Day 2025? Trading Hours Explained

Many Americans are asking the same question this week: is the market open on Columbus Day 2025? As the U.S. observes the federal holiday on Monday, October 13, investors and traders are watching closely to see how it will affect Wall Street and financial markets.

While many government services and banks close for the holiday, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq will remain open for normal trading hours on Columbus Day, according to official holiday calendars released by the exchanges. That means investors can still buy and sell stocks as usual, despite the federal holiday.

U.S. Stock Market Hours on Columbus Day 2025

Columbus Day, also recognized as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in many states, is a federal holiday celebrated on the second Monday of October. This year, it falls on October 13, 2025. Federal offices, courts, and post offices are closed nationwide, but Wall Street operates differently.

According to the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq schedules, both exchanges will open on Monday, October 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, their regular trading hours. This means investors can expect normal activity, including full access to trading platforms and market operations.

However, bond markets will follow a different schedule. The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) recommends an early close for U.S. bond markets, typically at 2:00 p.m. ET, on Columbus Day. That partial closure reflects lower trading volume in fixed-income securities during federal holidays.

Futures and commodities markets, such as those operated by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), are also scheduled to remain open, though trading volume may be lighter than usual due to the holiday.

What Investors Should Know Before Columbus Day Trading

Even though stock markets remain open, trading activity on Columbus Day often slows compared to regular sessions. Many institutional investors and financial professionals take the day off, leading to lower trading volumes and potentially more volatile price movements on lighter activity.

This reduced liquidity can affect market behavior, especially in smaller-cap stocks and thinly traded securities. Retail investors should be mindful of wider bid-ask spreads and potential intraday volatility. Analysts recommend using limit orders instead of market orders to manage price risk during holiday sessions.

Investors should also plan around any delays in banking transactions. Since banks and the Federal Reserve are closed on Columbus Day, wire transfers and check processing may be postponed until the following business day. This could impact settlement times for certain trades or fund transfers linked to brokerage accounts.

While Wall Street remains active, global markets may not follow the same schedule. International exchanges in Europe and Asia will operate normally, but cross-border settlement processes involving U.S. banks could experience delays due to the federal holiday.

Why the Market Stays Open on Columbus Day

The decision to keep stock markets open on Columbus Day reflects a long-standing policy by U.S. exchanges to align with global trading schedules. Because Columbus Day is not a major financial holiday like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s Day, exchanges choose to stay open to maintain liquidity and continuity for investors.

That policy has remained unchanged for decades, ensuring U.S. markets remain in sync with overseas markets and institutional trading desks that operate on a near year-round basis. The next market closure after Columbus Day will be Thanksgiving Day on November 27, 2025.

In short, the answer to “is the market open on Columbus Day” is yes — stock exchanges will operate on their normal schedule on Monday, October 13, 2025, even as federal offices and banks close for the holiday.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Is the stock market open on Columbus Day 2025?

Yes. The NYSE and Nasdaq will be open for normal trading hours from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET on Monday, October 13, 2025.

Q2: Are bond markets open on Columbus Day?

Yes, but they typically close early. Most bond markets will shut down at 2:00 p.m. ET, following SIFMA’s holiday schedule.

Q3: Are banks closed on Columbus Day 2025?

Yes. Most banks and federal offices will be closed, which may delay certain financial transactions until the next business day.

Q4: Will trading volume be affected on Columbus Day?

Yes. Trading activity is often lighter due to the holiday, which can lead to wider spreads and increased volatility in some stocks.

Q5: When is the next U.S. stock market holiday after Columbus Day?

The next full market closure will be on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27, 2025.