is the stock market open on january 20th?

Is the stock market open on January 20th?

This article answers "is the stock market open on january 20th" and explains what determines whether major U.S. exchanges (NYSE and Nasdaq) trade on January 20th in any given year. You will learn the typical rules that exchanges follow, how federal holidays such as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day affect trading and settlement, practical impacts for stocks, options, futures and crypto, and where to confirm the official schedule before you trade. If you need a holiday-proof place to follow markets and manage positions, Bitget’s trading tools and Bitget Wallet can help you stay prepared.

Summary answer (quick reference)

Short answer: whether "is the stock market open on january 20th" depends on the calendar year. When January 20th falls on the third Monday in January, that date is observed as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and NYSE and Nasdaq are typically closed. For example, as of January 10, 2025, official exchange calendars showed that Jan 20, 2025 was observed as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and both NYSE and Nasdaq were closed on that date. In other years when January 20th falls on a regular weekday that is not an observed federal holiday, the exchanges operate normal hours unless the exchange publishes a special early close or closure.

(Note: cryptocurrency markets operate 24/7 and are not closed for exchange holidays.)

Background — U.S. exchange holiday policy

U.S. equities exchanges publish annual calendars listing full-day closures and early close sessions. Exchanges commonly align their holiday observances with federal holidays, but there are exceptions and exact observances are set and published by each exchange. Exchanges also coordinate with clearing and settlement systems and the Federal Reserve to ensure market infrastructure and payment systems are available.

As of January 2025, exchanges and market infrastructure providers follow calendars published well before the start of the year. For instance, the NasdaqTrader and exchange holiday pages issue an annual trading calendar and any special notices about early-closes or extraordinary closures. As of Jan 8, 2025, NasdaqTrader had posted its 2025 holiday and trading calendar, including MLK Day on Jan 20, 2025 as a market holiday.

Federal holidays vs. exchange observances

Federal holidays are declared by statute and observed by federal agencies. Exchanges usually mirror many federal holidays, but they are not legally required to close simply because a holiday is federal — each exchange determines its own schedule. Commonly observed holidays by U.S. stock exchanges include New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (3rd Monday in Jan), Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

When a federal holiday falls on a weekend, it is usually "observed" on the nearest weekday. Exchanges state their observed dates on their calendars. For example, if Jan 20 falls on a Saturday and the corresponding federal holiday is observed on the preceding Friday or following Monday, the exchange calendar will indicate which weekday counts as the holiday for trading.

January 20 — typical scenarios and examples

There are three common scenarios when answering "is the stock market open on january 20th":

• Scenario A — January 20 is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (the third Monday in January): In this typical scenario, the NYSE and Nasdaq are closed. For example, as of Jan 8, 2025, Nasdaq and NYSE calendars showed Jan 20, 2025 as a holiday and both exchanges were closed on that date.

• Scenario B — January 20 falls on a weekday that is not an observed federal holiday: Exchanges operate normal hours. In those years, the answer to "is the stock market open on january 20th" is yes, normal trading occurs unless an exchange issues a special notice.

• Scenario C — January 20 coincides with a rare or extraordinary event (e.g., an inauguration day historically, a national emergency or a day of mourning): Exchanges may publish special notices about closures or delayed openings. These are uncommon and are announced in advance when possible.

Historic example: Jan 20, 2025 was MLK Day. Reliable reporting at the time noted that the U.S. equity markets were closed on that date; local outlets reported that financial centers and many banks were closed as well.

How exchanges publish and update holiday schedules

Exchanges post definitive calendars and notices via their official holiday & trading-calendar pages. To verify whether "is the stock market open on january 20th" for a particular year you should check:

• NYSE official holiday page and annual calendar (published ahead of the year)
• Nasdaq/NasdaqTrader holiday and trading-calendar pages (annual schedule and real-time notices)
• CME Group trading hours and holiday schedule for futures (futures and options can have different hours)
• Broker and clearing firm holiday/early-close notifications

As of Jan 8, 2025, NasdaqTrader and CME Group published their annual schedules that listed observed holidays and early-close days for 2025. Exchanges also circulate email or platform notices to brokers with any last-minute changes or special-session updates.

Trading hours and early/partial sessions on holidays

When exchanges observe a holiday, there are typically two possibilities:

1. Full-day closure: The regular session is closed. Pre-market and after-hours on-exchange sessions may also be suspended or limited depending on exchange policy.
2. Early-close session: The regular session may close early (common early-close times are 1:00 p.m. ET for equities on certain holidays). Early closes are most common for the day before Independence Day, the day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Eve.

For most Martin Luther King, Jr. Day observances, exchanges implement a full-day closure. However, on some holidays, particularly those near market open, exchanges may adjust pre-market or after-hours liquidity.

Futures exchanges and fixed-income venues may operate under different holiday schedules. For example, the CME Group posts futures trading hour exceptions tied to holidays; as of Jan 9, 2025, the CME Group schedule showed adjusted hours for certain holiday-related sessions.

Impact on market participants

Understanding "is the stock market open on january 20th" matters because holiday schedules affect trading, settlement, options expirations and operational workflows.

• Stock traders and investors: On a full-day exchange closure, regular-session stock trading (listing liquidity through the exchange order books) is suspended. Brokerages may pause routing of new orders for regular session execution, though some off-exchange or internalized trading may be possible depending on the broker. Block trades and crossing networks may also be constrained. Traders should avoid assuming normal liquidity on holiday dates.

• Brokers and clearing firms: Exchanges coordinate with clearinghouses and the Federal Reserve. When the Fed and reserve banks are closed (as on many federal holidays), same-day wire transfers, Fed funds operations and ACH processing are affected. This can delay settlement cash flows and margin transfers.

• Options and derivatives: Options exchanges publish their own holiday and early-closing notices. Standard monthly options expirations are scheduled according to exchange rules; when a holiday affects a Friday settlement date, some settlements may shift to the previous business day or follow exchange-specific rules. As a trader, check the specific options exchange notices to confirm expirations and settlement times.

• Futures and fixed-income markets: These venues may maintain limited or modified sessions on holidays. For example, certain futures contracts may keep overnight liquidity while the cash equity market is closed. CME Group holiday hours provide per-product guidance; as of early January 2025, CME published an annual list of holiday-hour exceptions.

• Cryptocurrency traders: Crypto markets are open 24/7 and are not governed by NYSE or Nasdaq holiday calendars. If you rely on crypto as a liquidity or hedging instrument around equity holidays, remember that crypto liquidity can differ significantly from equity-market liquidity.

Settlement and clearing effects

Settlement cycles (for example, typical stock settlements on a T+2 cycle) rely on business days. If Jan 20 is a holiday and the exchanges and Federal Reserve are closed, T+2 settlement dates may fall on the next business day. Bank transfers, ACH debits, and Fed wire settlement windows will be affected on federal holidays because the Federal Reserve Banks are closed, which delays the final movement of funds.

As of Jan 10, 2025, exchange notices emphasized that participants should plan for settlement impacts around MLK Day (Jan 20, 2025). Clearing firms often provide calendars showing how settlement dates shift when a holiday interrupts normal business days.

Exceptional closures and historical examples

Exchanges have rarely implemented unscheduled or extraordinary closures. Notable historical examples include closures following major national events, severe weather, or technical outages. When such closures happen, exchanges and clearinghouses issue public notices and coordinate with brokers to manage open positions and settlement.

Examples of exceptional measures in history include:

• Security or market-stability closures announced during major events.
• National days of mourning or special observances where exchanges have made discretionary closures (rare and announced in advance when possible).

These scenarios are uncommon compared to routine holiday closures such as MLK Day.

How to confirm whether markets are open on a specific January 20

Checklist to verify whether "is the stock market open on january 20th" in the current or an upcoming year:

1. Check the official exchange holiday page for NYSE and Nasdaq.
2. Consult the NasdaqTrader trading calendar for the specific year.
3. Review the CME Group trading hours for futures and FX products that may operate differently.
4. Confirm with your broker or clearing firm — brokers send holiday and early-close notices.
5. Check reputable financial news outlets for any breaking announcements (major outlets reported on MLK Day closures in January 2025).
6. Verify time zones and whether a holiday is being "observed" on a weekday when the official date falls on a weekend.

As of Jan 8, 2025, NasdaqTrader and the NYSE posted calendars confirming closure on Jan 20, 2025. Always check official pages for the current year before placing time-sensitive trades.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q: Is crypto affected when I ask "is the stock market open on january 20th"? A: No. Cryptocurrency markets operate 24/7. Even when NYSE and Nasdaq are closed for a holiday, crypto exchanges and blockchain transactions continue. If you use crypto for hedging, liquidity or settlement, note the differences in liquidity and custody workflows. Bitget Wallet provides continuous access to crypto assets and trading tools that are not tied to exchange business-day schedules.

Q: Are banks open on January 20th when it's MLK Day? A: Banks usually follow Federal Reserve holiday observances and are often closed on MLK Day. That means wire transfers and ACH operations are impacted. Brokerages typically note these banking holidays and advise clients about timing for deposits and withdrawals.

Q: Do options expire on a market holiday that falls on Jan 20th? A: Options expirations follow exchange rules. If a standard expiration date falls on a holiday, the exchange specifies how settlement is handled. Traders should check the options exchange notices for specific products and expiry dates.

Q: What if January 20th falls on a weekend? A: If Jan 20 is a Saturday or Sunday, the federal holiday's "observed" date will typically move to the nearest weekday. Exchanges indicate the observed date on their calendars. Always check the published calendar for the year in question.

Practical examples and verification sources (selected reporting)

• As of Jan 8, 2025, NasdaqTrader published its 2025 holiday and trading-calendar showing that Jan 20, 2025 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day) was a full market holiday for Nasdaq.

• As of Jan 8, 2025, the NYSE calendar listed Jan 20, 2025 as an observed holiday and indicated no regular session trading on that date.

• As of Jan 9, 2025, the CME Group trading hours page included holiday exceptions for futures and noted adjusted sessions around federal holidays.

• As of Jan 20, 2025, local news outlets reported that financial centers and banks were closed for MLK Day and that stock exchanges were not trading on that day.

• Fidelity and MarketBeat publish annual market-holiday overviews; as of late 2024 and early 2025 these publications listed MLK Day (3rd Monday in January) among the exchange-observed holidays and cited Jan 20, 2025 in their 2025 calendars.

When checking whether "is the stock market open on january 20th" in the future, consult these official exchange pages first; then confirm with your broker.

Quantifiable market context (why the holiday matters)

Market holidays affect large volumes of trading and settlement. To give context:

• The U.S. equity market represents a substantial portion of global equity capitalization. As a rough reference point, U.S. equity market capitalization reached tens of trillions of dollars in recent years, and daily trade volumes across major U.S. exchanges can be measured in billions of shares per day. Reduced or suspended regular-session trading on exchange holidays temporarily shifts liquidity conditions.

• Trade settlement cycles (for example, T+2) mean that when a holiday interrupts business days, the final settlement for trades executed just before the holiday is pushed to the next business day. Clearing firms monitor holiday calendars to manage margin and settlement windows.

(As always, for precise and up-to-date numeric figures for market cap and daily volume in a given year, consult official exchange reports and market-data providers.)

How traders and investors can prepare

• Confirm the calendar at least one week before the date. For the question "is the stock market open on january 20th", checking the exchange calendar in early January will clarify whether the date is a holiday that year.

• Plan trade timing and settlements. If you need cash cleared by a certain date, move funds earlier or be prepared for Fed and bank closures.

• Manage options and derivatives expiries. If you have options expiring around Jan 20, confirm exchange rules and be aware of settlement timings.

• For crypto users: use Bitget Wallet to move funds or hedge positions while equities are closed. Because crypto markets are 24/7, you can execute hedges or trades anytime, but be mindful of differences in liquidity and price behavior relative to equity markets.

• Review broker notices. Many brokers send emails or display dashboard notices about holiday hours and settlement impacts.

See also

• U.S. stock market holiday calendar
• NYSE trading hours and holiday observances
• Nasdaq holiday and trading calendar
• CME Group trading hours for futures and options
• Federal Reserve bank holiday schedule

References and sources

• Nasdaq / NasdaqTrader — holiday and trading-calendar pages. As of Jan 8, 2025, NasdaqTrader posted its 2025 trading calendar and holiday schedule indicating MLK Day (Jan 20, 2025) as a market holiday.
• NYSE — official holiday and trading hours pages. As of Jan 8, 2025, the NYSE calendar listed Jan 20, 2025 as an observed market holiday.
• NBC New York — report on MLK Day market and bank closures. As of Jan 20, 2025, local reporting confirmed exchange closure for MLK Day.
• CME Group — trading hours and holiday schedule. As of Jan 9, 2025, CME published holiday-hour exceptions and product-specific hours.
• Fidelity — 2025 U.S. stock market holidays overview (published late 2024 / early 2025), summarizing exchange-observed holidays.
• MarketBeat — market holiday calendar for 2025, including MLK Day details.
• Yahoo Finance / news summaries — overview of 2025 trading holidays and notable early close days (as of early Jan 2025).
• Investopedia — explanation of exchange holiday policy and how exchanges decide holiday observances (reference checks as of 2024–2025).

All source references above were reported or published in the 2024–2025 window; when planning trades, always check current-year exchange and broker notices for definitive listings and any last-minute updates.

Notes on scope and updates

Holiday observance changes year to year. Exchanges publish annual calendars well in advance. The information above explains how to answer "is the stock market open on january 20th" in general and provides the most common scenarios and verification steps. For a definitive answer for a specific year, consult the exchange pages and your broker's notices for that year.

Further exploration: If you want continuous access to hedging or market exposure when U.S. exchanges are closed, Bitget’s trading platform and Bitget Wallet enable 24/7 crypto access and tools to manage positions independent of U.S. equity trading hours.

Frequently used checklist — quick actions

• Check NYSE and Nasdaq calendars for the year in question.
• Confirm with your broker about order routing and early-close rules.
• Review CME Group hours if you trade futures or derivatives.
• Plan settlement and funding considering Federal Reserve holidays.
• Use Bitget Wallet to manage crypto hedges or access liquidity while equities are closed.

Final guidance — practical next steps

If you are asking, "is the stock market open on january 20th" for an upcoming year, take two immediate actions: (1) open the exchange holiday page for that year (NYSE or Nasdaq) and (2) check your broker’s holiday and settlement notices. If you rely on 24/7 instruments for hedging, consider using Bitget services and Bitget Wallet to maintain access outside U.S. exchange hours.

Explore Bitget’s platform features or Bitget Wallet to help manage liquidity and hedges around exchange holidays.