London, United Kingdom
+447351578251
info@traders.mba

Forex Trading Hours Christmas

Support Centre

Welcome to our Support Centre! Simply use the search box below to find the answers you need.

If you cannot find the answer, then Call, WhatsApp, or Email our support team.
We’re always happy to help!

Table of Contents

Forex Trading Hours Christmas

The forex market operates 24 hours a day, five days a week — but during the Christmas period, these trading hours are significantly adjusted across global trading centres. Understanding the specific changes during Christmas week is essential for planning trades, managing risk, and avoiding slippage or illiquidity during thin market conditions.

What This Article Covers

  • Standard forex trading hours
  • How Christmas affects global forex sessions
  • Key market closures and early closes
  • Practical tips for trading during the festive period
  • FAQs about Christmas forex hours

Key Takeaways

  • Most forex brokers close or reduce trading hours on 24–26 December
  • Liquidity drops significantly around Christmas and New Year
  • Wider spreads and slippage are common due to reduced market participants
  • Plan trades early and monitor broker notices during this period

Normal Forex Trading Hours Overview (GMT)

SessionOpensCloses
Sydney22:00 Sunday07:00 Monday
Tokyo00:00 Monday09:00 Monday
London08:00 Monday17:00 Monday
New York13:00 Monday22:00 Monday

Forex is decentralised and doesn’t trade on weekends, but brokers may reopen platforms on Sunday evening.

How Forex Trading Hours Change During Christmas

Typical Adjustments:

  • 24 December (Christmas Eve):
    • Early close: Most brokers close by 18:00 GMT or earlier
    • Low liquidity begins mid-day London session
  • 25 December (Christmas Day):
    • Full market closure
    • No trading on all currency pairs
  • 26 December (Boxing Day):
    • Partial hours: Some brokers reopen around 13:00 GMT
    • Liquidity still low

These may vary based on broker location and asset class (e.g. metals, indices may differ).

Broker Examples of Christmas Trading Hours

BrokerChristmas EveChristmas DayBoxing Day
IntertraderEarly closeClosedLate open
IG MarketsEarly closeClosedLimited hours
AvaTradeEarly closeClosedLimited hours
TiBiGlobe17:00 GMT closeClosedReopens 13:00 GMT
PepperstoneEarly closeClosedReduced liquidity

Always check your broker’s holiday calendar for confirmation.

Tips for Trading Around Christmas

  • Avoid high leverage: Volatility spikes and liquidity drops
  • Don’t rely on stop-loss orders: Slippage may widen execution gaps
  • Monitor spreads: Market makers may widen them significantly
  • Finalise trades early: Don’t enter trades close to market closures
  • Use limit orders: Protect against unexpected execution at unfavourable prices

Case Study: How Daniel Managed His Christmas Positions

Daniel, a part-time forex trader from Bristol, learned the hard way in 2022 when he left a EUR/USD trade open over Christmas. His broker widened spreads during the early Asia open on 26 December, triggering a stop-loss 25 pips off his level. Since then, Daniel always closes all trades by 23 December and avoids entering new positions until after 28 December.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the forex market open on Christmas Day?

No, the forex market is closed globally on 25 December. All trading platforms are offline.

What time does forex close on Christmas Eve?

Most brokers close early, typically between 16:00 and 18:00 GMT on 24 December.

Can I trade forex on Boxing Day?

Some brokers reopen with limited trading hours on 26 December, usually after 13:00 GMT.

Do spreads widen over Christmas?

Yes, significantly. Lower liquidity means wider spreads and greater risk of slippage.

Should I trade during the Christmas period?

Generally, it’s better to avoid trading unless absolutely necessary due to thin market conditions and unpredictable price movements.

Conclusion

Forex trading hours around Christmas are highly irregular. With most of the world’s financial institutions closed or operating at reduced capacity, it’s important to adjust your trading calendar accordingly. Manage your risk, confirm your broker’s schedule, and consider taking a break from trading during this festive time.

Ready For Your Next Winning Trade?

Join thousands of traders getting instant alerts, expert market moves, and proven strategies - before the crowd reacts. 100% FREE. No spam. Just results.

By entering your email address, you consent to receive marketing communications from us. We will use your email address to provide updates, promotions, and other relevant content. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any of our emails. For more information on how we use and protect your personal data, please see our Privacy Policy.