Every year, this question pops up right around Christmas. And every year, someone still opens their trading app on December 25th, stares at a frozen screen, and wonders if their internet is broken. It’s not.
The Indian stock market is officially closed on 25th December for Christmas. That means:
- No equity trading
- No derivatives trading
- No currency market
- No commodity market
This applies to both major exchanges:
- National Stock Exchange of India (NSE)
- Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)
If you were planning to trade that day—sorry. The market takes the day off.
Why 25th December Is a Market Holiday in India
India isn’t a Christian-majority country, so naturally people ask: Why Christmas?
The reason is simple and practical.
Christmas is recognized as a gazetted holiday, and Indian financial markets follow a predefined holiday calendar that aligns with banks, clearing corporations, and settlement systems. When the plumbing of the financial system shuts, trading can’t stay open.
Also, December 25th is one of those globally respected holidays. Many international markets are closed or running thin volumes. Keeping Indian markets open would serve no real purpose.
So instead of half-functioning chaos, exchanges just shut cleanly for the day.
Honestly? Sensible move.
What Exactly Is Closed on Christmas Day?
Let highlight this clearly, because confusion usually lives in the details.
On 25th December, the following are closed:
- Equity (stocks)
- Equity derivatives (F&O)
- Currency derivatives
- Commodity derivatives (MCX)
- SLB (Securities Lending and Borrowing)
And yes—intraday, delivery, long-term investing… everything pauses.
No sneaky exceptions.
What About Banks on 25th December?
Here’s where people trip up.
- Banks are closed in most states
- Some private bank branches may open for limited hours
- Online banking still works
- UPI, cards, and net banking usually work
But anything that needs human processing? That waits.
And since stock market settlements depend on banks, the market being shut makes total sense.
Can You Place Orders on 25th December?
Technically… yes. Practically… no.
Most brokers allow you to:
- Log in
- Add funds
- Place orders for future execution
But here’s the catch:
No orders get executed on December 25th.
If you place an order, it just sits there waiting for the next trading session. Some brokers automatically cancel them at day-end.
So if you’re doing this, double-check your broker’s policy. Otherwise, you might wake up on the 26th wondering why your trade never happened.
When Does Trading Resume After Christmas?
Trading resumes on the next working day, usually 26th December, unless that day falls on a weekend.
Examples:
- If 25th is Monday → Trading resumes Tuesday
- If 25th is Saturday → Market already closed, resumes Monday
- If 25th is Sunday → Same story
Always check the official holiday list if you’re planning something important.
Is This the Same Every Year?
Yes. Christmas Day is a fixed holiday on the Indian stock market calendar.
Unlike festivals like Diwali or Holi, which shift dates every year, December 25th never moves. That makes it one of the easiest holidays to plan around.
If someone tells you, “Maybe this year it’s open”—they’re wrong.
What About Global Stock Markets on 25th December?
If you track international markets, here’s a quick reality check:
- US markets: Closed
- UK markets: Closed
- European markets: Mostly closed
- Asian markets: Mixed, but volumes are thin
So even if Indian markets were open, you’d be trading in a vacuum. No global cues, no institutional participation, no clean price discovery.
Not exactly a trader’s dream day.
Why You Should Actually Like This Holiday
Let’s flip the script for a second.
A forced market break is not a bad thing.
- You get a pause from noise
- No reacting to headlines
- No panic trades
- No overthinking candles at 11:47 AM
It’s one of the few days where doing nothing is the correct move.
Use it to:
- Review your portfolio
- Journal your trades
- Fix your watchlists
- Step away from screens without guilt
Markets aren’t going anywhere.
Common Myths About Trading on 25th December
Let’s clean up some nonsense while we’re here.
Myth 1: Only equity is closed
Wrong. Everything is closed.
Myth 2: Pre-open session runs
Nope. No pre-open.
Myth 3: You can trade commodities
Also closed.
Myth 4: Algo trades still work
No market = no execution. Your algo naps too.
What If You’re a Long-Term Investor?
Then this holiday barely matters.
If you’re investing for years:
- One closed day changes nothing
- Prices don’t reset
- Fundamentals don’t shift
In fact, this is a good reminder that time in the market matters more than time spent watching the market.
One quiet day won’t hurt your compounding story.
The Bottom Line
Let’s lock this in so there’s zero confusion:
Yes, the Indian share market is closed on 25th December for Christmas.
No trades. No sessions. No exceptions.
If you’re a trader, plan around it.
If you’re an investor, ignore it.
If you accidentally tried to trade—congrats, now you know.
And honestly? Enjoy the break. The market will be right where you left it when it opens again.