MW Does the stock market close early on Christmas Eve? Will banks be open?
By Charles Passy
Expect plenty of schedule changes for financial markets, mail service, federal offices and more during the coming days
The holidays are here - see: this year's Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York City - and many places are closing early to observe them.
It's almost time to unwrap those presents: Christmas is coming up on Thursday, Dec. 25. And Christmas Eve is naturally a busy day, as well (think last-minute shopping and package delivery).
So with all this holiday activity, it's worth keeping in mind what will be open and closed (or, closing early) this week. Here's our quick guide.
Is the stock market open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?
The two major stock markets - the New York Stock Exchange SPX and the Nasdaq COMP - will close early on Wednesday, Dec. 24, at 1 p.m. Eastern, and will remain closed on Thursday, Dec. 25.
Bond markets will close at 2 p.m. on Dec. 24, and will remain closed on Dec. 25.
Trading on all financial markets resumes as usual on Friday, Dec. 26.
Is mail delivered during Christmas? What about FedEx and UPS services?
The U.S. Postal Service will deliver mail on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, and post-office locations will be open, but customers are advised to check with their local office for specific hours. There will be no regular mail delivery on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, but Priority Mail Express shipments will be delivered. Post offices will be closed that day.
UPS $(UPS)$ will follow a regular delivery schedule on Dec. 24. Service will be curtailed on Dec. 25, except for UPS Express Critical Service. UPS Store locations will be open on Dec. 24, but may be closed on Dec. 25.
FedEx $(FDX)$ will offer modified service on Dec. 24. Service will be curtailed on Dec. 25, except for FedEx Custom Critical. FedEx Office locations will have modified hours on Dec. 24, and will be closed on Dec. 25.
Are banks open on Christmas?
Banks are generally closed on Dec. 25, but you can always make transactions through an ATM or your bank's app or website - although the posting of transactions may be delayed. And while banks may be open on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, you should check with your local branch to see if it has modified hours that day.
Will government offices be open?
Since Christmas Day is a federal holiday, all nonessential federal government offices are closed on Dec. 25. It is also typically recognized as a state holiday, so expect state offices to be closed as well.
What about Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas? This year, President Donald Trump issued an executive order requiring all federal executive departments and agencies to close on Dec. 24 and Dec. 26, with employees "excused from duty."
States make their own decisions regarding the days before and after Christmas, however. In Florida, for example, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that state offices will be closed on Dec. 26 in addition to the standard Dec. 25 closure. So check your local listings.
Are stores open over the Christmas holiday?
If you're looking to purchase a holiday gift at the last minute or to prepare for your holiday feast, then you can rest assured that stores and supermarkets are generally open on Dec. 24. However, some will close early.
Dec. 25 is a different story. Most major retailers, including Costco $(COST)$, Walmart $(WMT)$ and Target (TGT), are closed on Christmas Day, although you can still shop online. But some pharmacies will remain open on Christmas Day, albeit with modified hours in many cases - it's always best to check before you head out.
-Charles Passy
This content was created by MarketWatch, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. MarketWatch is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.
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December 23, 2025 05:00 ET (10:00 GMT)
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