Thanksgiving Trading Hours: What You Need to Know Before 2026

Jennifer Smith · 2026-11-11

The holiday season is almost here, and for traders, that means one thing: adjusted schedules. Thanksgiving 2026 falls on Thursday, November 26, and the markets will be observing modified hours on both Thursday and Friday. If you're planning to trade, you'll want to know exactly when each market opens and closes. But here's the thing: it's not just about the hours. Liquidity is going to be thin, and that can throw even experienced traders off their game. ### Why Holiday Trading Is Different During Thanksgiving, many institutional traders step away from their desks. That means fewer participants, wider spreads, and the potential for sudden price swings. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but it's something you need to prepare for. Thin liquidity can amplify volatility, so a market that looks calm one minute might spike the next. Keep that in mind before you place any trades. ### The Schedule at a Glance All times below are in platform time (GMT+2). Make sure to convert to your local time zone if you're not used to GMT+2. - **Forex/Crypto**: Normal hours on Thursday, but expect reduced liquidity. On Friday, trading closes early at 20:00 GMT+2. - **Precious Metals**: Closed on Thursday. On Friday, opens at 01:00 and closes at 20:00 GMT+2. - **Spot Energy**: Closed on Thursday. On Friday, opens at 01:00 and closes at 20:00 GMT+2. - **Indices**: Closed on Thursday. On Friday, opens at 01:00 and closes at 20:00 GMT+2. - **Metal Futures**: Closed on Thursday. On Friday, opens at 01:00 and closes at 20:00 GMT+2. - **Energy Futures**: Closed on Thursday. On Friday, opens at 01:00 and closes at 20:00 GMT+2. - **Soft Commodities**: Closed on Thursday. On Friday, opens at 01:00 and closes at 20:00 GMT+2. - **Indices Futures**: Closed on Thursday. On Friday, opens at 01:00 and closes at 20:00 GMT+2. - **Bond Futures**: Closed on Thursday. On Friday, opens at 01:00 and closes at 20:00 GMT+2. - **Equities**: Closed on Thursday. On Friday, opens at 01:00 and closes at 20:00 GMT+2. ### What This Means for You If you're holding positions over the holiday, you need to be proactive. Here's a quick checklist: - **Check your margin**: With thin liquidity, margin requirements can change quickly. Make sure you have enough cushion. - **Watch your leverage**: Leverage is dynamic and can change at any time. Don't get caught off guard. - **Set alerts**: If you're not planning to watch the markets, set price alerts so you're notified of any big moves. - **Consider reducing exposure**: If you're not comfortable with the added risk, it might be wise to trim your positions. > "The market can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent." – John Maynard Keynes. This quote is especially relevant during holiday trading when liquidity is low and emotions can run high. ### Final Thoughts Thanksgiving is a time to relax and enjoy time with family and friends. But if you're trading, a little preparation goes a long way. Know the hours, understand the risks, and don't let thin liquidity catch you off guard. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our support team. We're here to help. *Risk Warning: Trading in securities involves significant risk. Prices may fluctuate and securities can become entirely valueless. You may incur losses that exceed your potential profits, and in some cases, losses may exceed the amount you have deposited. Securities, futures, options, and contracts for differences are complex financial instruments and are not suitable for all investors. Engaging in such transactions requires a sound understanding of the associated risks. Please read and ensure you fully understand our Risk Disclosure.* *Our leverage is dynamic and may change at any time. Such changes may affect your positions and margin requirements. You are responsible for monitoring your positions and maintaining sufficient margin at all times.*