Trading holidays in 2026 will affect all financial markets worldwide, particularly in major economies such as India and the United States. Trading holidays can be defined as days when stock exchanges close, in effect halting trading activities. Knowing when those trading holidays are can help investors and traders plan their activities accordingly, avoid unpleasant surprises, and secure better outcomes. 

In India, the major exchanges NSE, BSE, and MCX have a holiday calendar that consists of national events and cultural festivals. In the US, the principal exchanges (NYSE & NASDAQ) align with federal holidays and minor closures. Both sets of holidays can come into play with respect to liquidity, settlement cycles, and cross-border trading.

Overview of Trading Holidays in 2026

Trading holidays are recognised non-trading days which have been declared by the exchange. When these days are recognised, exchanges stop trading activity in stock markets, commodities, and derivatives.

Trading holidays are important for several reasons:

• They permit exchange personnel and traders to see national or cultural implications
• They interrupt any market processes, which can impact price action and liquidity
• They can impact any delay in settlement or any volatility from reopening

Each market has different closures: India and the US have a different calendar, and acknowledging the differences is important for investors who trade across national borders.

Indian Stock Market Holidays 2026

The National Stock Exchange (NSE), Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), and Multi-Commodity Exchange (MCX) will observe the following holidays in 2026. NSE and BSE align closely, while MCX includes morning-only suspensions for several festivals.

NSE & BSE Holidays (Full List 2026)

MCX Holidays (2026)

MCX mirrors many NSE/BSE holidays but often schedules morning-only suspensions for key festivals:

• Holi (Morning Off)
• Ambedkar Jayanti (Morning Off)
• Maharashtra Day (Morning Off)
• Bakri Id (Morning Off)
• Muharram (Morning Off)
• Ganesh Chaturthi (Morning Off)
• Dasara (Morning Off)
• Diwali-Laxmi Pujan (Morning Off)

Key takeaway: NSE and BSE follow the full-day holiday calendar, while MCX has a mix of full and partial closures, affecting commodities like gold, silver, and crude oil.

US Stock Market Holidays 2026

US stock markets also observe a structured holiday calendar, published by the NYSE and NASDAQ.

NYSE & NASDAQ Holidays (Full Closures 2026)

Early Closures (1:00 p.m. ET)

• July 2, 2026 – Day before Independence Day
• November 27, 2026 – Day after Thanksgiving
• December 24, 2026 – Christmas Eve

Key takeaway: US markets have fewer holidays compared to India, but early closes are significant, often leading to reduced liquidity.

Impact of Holidays on Markets

Liquidity and Volatility

With less market participation, there is less liquidity and bigger spreads. Holiday trading sessions can be more volatile, as traders are adjusting their positions.

Settlement and Clearing Timing

In India and the US holidays break the T+2 settlement cycle. The breaks and delays of cash flows and margin payments may have ramifications for active traders.

Cross-Border Considerations

​When India is not open and the US is open (or vice versa), global investors will have issues with pricing on ETFs or stocks that are cross-listed. Traders must position both calendars in line to avoid the gaps.

Planning Around Market Closures in 2026

Strategies for Traders

• Close or hedge out of risky positions around long weekends
• Utilise stop-loss orders for managing risk
• Adjust trading systems (especially algorithms) to avoid mistakes around closures.

Resources to Stay Informed

• Exchange-published holiday calendars
• Broker alerts of early closes and settlement changes
• Business day calculators for planning settlements around breaks

Why Tracking Holidays Matters

It’s important for investors with cross-border portfolios to know the trading holidays in 2026 in both India and the US. It will help them anticipate liquidity changes in their liquidity flows, settlement of trades, early closes, etc. Being aware of weekends and holidays in the destination market can help them identify the right timing for entering and exiting trades, avoid risk and lower trading costs during thin market situations, and find opportunities related to holiday-related, unusual price action/volatility.

Smart Trading Beyond Holiday Calendars

It’s important for traders to keep track of holiday schedules, but they also want better platforms and trading solutions to carry out their strategies. This is where platforms like Tradexlive are changing the game.

Tradexlive provides: 

• Zero Brokerage – Trade with no hidden fees. 
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• Global Market Access – Find trading opportunities in both the Indian & US markets. 

With fundamental features and accurate market insights, traders can rely on Tradexlive for their time in the market, volatility and overseas risk exposure.

Conclusion

Whether you are trading in India with the NSE, BSE or MCX or in the US with the NYSE or NASDAQ, trading holidays in 2026 will have an impact on your buying and selling ability, when trades are being settled and what trading strategies to use . . . .

Essentially, being conscious of the calendar with trading holidays and planning a little the right way will not only avoid potential issues but also help provide some excellent opportunities to profit on your trades.

In terms of planning, don’t forget about the platforms like Tradexlive that can provide something for traders to make sure they can stay ahead and perform well: trade commission-free, use much greater purchasing power and get your cash out superfast. These things can help traders trade smarter, even when the market is closed sometimes. When trading, planning and knowing when things happen is very important. You may lose money if you are not aware of the market and don’t take precautions to prepare.

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