What You'll Learn
Which holidays affect futures trading hours
The scheduled closes and reopens for the 2026 Thanksgiving holiday, by product group
What market statuses such as Preopen, Open, Paused, and Closed mean for your orders
Where to confirm current holiday hours before you place a trade
U.S. futures markets observe scheduled market holidays in line with certain U.S. federal holidays, along with a small number of additional dates set by the exchange, such as Good Friday. On these days, trading hours may be shortened, or markets may be fully closed.
Each product group can follow a different holiday schedule, including earlier closes and later reopening times. For the most accurate and current details on specific dates and hours, refer to the CME Group Holiday Calendar.
Thanksgiving scheduled close dates/times per product group:
Holiday trading schedules vary by product group and by date. The table below reflects the schedule published by CME Group for the 2026 Thanksgiving holiday. All times are Central Time (CT). Confirm hours on the CME Group holiday calendar before each holiday, since the exchange can adjust them.
Product Group | Schedule Around Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 26th) |
Interest Rates, Equities | Normal close Wed 11/25, 4 PM CT → reopens Wed 11/25, 5 PM CT → trading halt Thu 11/26, 12 PM CT (Thanksgiving) → reopens Thu 11/26, 5 PM CT → early close Fri 11/27, 12:15 PM CT |
Energy, Metals | Normal close Wed 11/25, 4 PM CT → reopens Wed 11/25, 5 PM CT → trading halt Thu 11/26, 1:30 PM CT (Thanksgiving) → reopens Thu 11/26, 5 PM CT → early close Fri 11/27, 1:45 PM CT |
FX | Normal close Wed 11/25, 4 PM CT → reopens Wed 11/25, 5 PM CT → regular daily break Thu 11/26, 4 PM CT → reopens Thu 11/26, 5 PM CT → early close Fri 11/27, 1:45 PM CT |
Grains | Normal day session Wed 11/25, closes 1:20 PM CT → no overnight session Wed night → no trading Thu 11/26 (Thanksgiving) → opens Fri 11/27, 8:30 AM CT → early close Fri 11/27, 12:05 PM CT |
Livestock | Normal session Wed 11/25, 8:30 AM to 1:05 PM CT → no trading Thu 11/26 (Thanksgiving) → opens Fri 11/27, 8:30 AM CT → early close Fri 11/27, 12:05 PM CT |
Lumber | Normal session Wed 11/25, 9 AM to 3:05 PM CT → no trading Thu 11/26 (Thanksgiving) → opens Fri 11/27, 9 AM CT → early close Fri 11/27, 12:05 PM CT |
Dairy | Closes Wed 11/25, 4 PM CT → no trading Thu 11/26 or Fri 11/27 |
NOTE:
Thursday, 11/26 is not a separate trade date. Per CME Group, day orders entered on Wednesday evening after markets reopen are for trade date Friday, 11/27 and can continue working until that product's Friday close.
The Monday, 11/30 trade date follows the normal schedule for all product groups.
For each holiday, check when the products you trade pause and when they reopen, as these times can differ across markets and contracts.
Understanding Market Status Terms
The CME Group calendar labels each part of the trading day with a market status. These statuses describe how the exchange handles orders during that period. Order handling on TopstepX can differ, as noted below. Here is what each one means for you.
Status | What It Means | Can You Trade? |
Preopen | The market is getting ready to open. CME Group also shows this status during a scheduled trading halt, such as the Thanksgiving halts listed above. | No. TopstepX does not support orders during Preopen. On the exchange, orders can be entered during Preopen but nothing is matched or filled until the market opens. |
Open | Continuous trading is underway and the exchange is matching orders. | Yes. Orders can be filled. A fill at any specific price is not guaranteed. |
Paused | A temporary stop ****of continuous trading, often shortly before a scheduled close. | No. You can cancel orders, but you cannot place or change them, and nothing is filled. |
PCP (Post Close – Preopen) | The period after a close and before the next Preopen. | No. TopstepX does not support orders during PCP. On the exchange, only Good 'Til Canceled (GTC) and Good 'Til Date (GTD) orders can be entered during PCP, and nothing is matched or filled. |
Closed | The final close for that trade date. | No. Any remaining day orders, and GTD orders set to expire that trade date, are canceled by the exchange. |
Key terms:
Trade date: The trading session a trade is booked to. A futures trade date usually begins the evening before, so during this holiday, trading on Wednesday evening counts toward Friday's trade date.
Day order: An order that expires at the end of the trade date if it has not been filled.
GTC (Good 'Til Canceled): An order that stays working until it is filled or you cancel it.
GTD (Good 'Til Date): An order that stays working until it is filled, you cancel it, or the date you selected passes.
⚠️ If you hold a position through a halt or close, you cannot exit it until the market reopens. Prices can move significantly while the market is closed, and the reopening price may differ from the last traded price, which can result in losses.
Commonly observed holidays include:
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Presidents Day
Good Friday
Memorial Day
Juneteenth National Independence Day
Independence Day (Fourth of July)
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
Visit the CME Group website for complete details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the futures markets closed for the entire holiday?
Usually not. For Thanksgiving, most product groups halt trading on Thursday afternoon and reopen that evening. Grains, livestock, lumber, and dairy do not trade on Thursday.
Can I place orders when the market shows Preopen?
No. TopstepX does not support orders during Preopen, including during a holiday trading halt. Wait until the market shows Open to place an order.
What happens to my working orders during a holiday close?
It depends on the order type. At a product's close, the exchange cancels remaining day orders and GTD orders set to expire that trade date. Review your open orders and positions before each close so nothing is left unattended through the break.
Do holiday hours change from year to year?
Yes. Holiday dates shift each year and the exchange can adjust hours, so confirm the schedule on the CME Group holiday calendar ahead of every holiday.
Still Have Questions?
If you have any questions about holiday trading hours, please contact our Support Team.