No forex trading today is a phrase commonly encountered by traders during specific calendar events or technical interruptions. Understanding why the forex market may be closed or inactive on a given day is crucial for planning trades, avoiding losses, and managing expectations.

This guide explains the primary reasons forex trading might be unavailable today, how to verify closures, and what to do instead.

Key Takeaways

• The forex market operates 24/5, closing only on weekends and select global holidays.
• Unexpected closures may occur due to public holidays, broker maintenance, or system outages.
• Traders can use downtime for chart analysis, journaling, or strategy refinement.
• Some currency pairs may be unavailable even if the market is technically open.
• A structured Forex Course can help you develop a professional trading routine around market timings.

1. Is Forex Market Closed Today?

The global forex market runs from Sunday 10 PM GMT to Friday 10 PM GMT, but certain days may see full or partial closure, including:

Common Market Holidays:

• New Year’s Day (1 January)
• Christmas Day (25 December)
• Good Friday
• US Independence Day (4 July)
• Labour Day (first Monday of September)

If today falls on one of these, trading may be limited or halted entirely, especially for USD pairs.

2. Broker-Specific Closures

Even if the interbank market is open, your forex broker may suspend trading temporarily due to:

• Scheduled maintenance
• Server issues
• Low liquidity warnings
• Public holidays in the broker’s region

Always check your broker’s holiday calendar and notifications.

3. Time Zone Differences

You might think trading is unavailable simply because you’re viewing the market during a quiet session, such as:

• 5 PM to 7 PM EST: When New York closes and Asia hasn’t opened.
• During low-volume Asian sessions, which can feel inactive.

4. Public Holidays by Region

Region	Example Holiday	Impacted Currency
United States	Thanksgiving, July 4	USD pairs
United Kingdom	Boxing Day, Easter Monday	GBP pairs
Japan	Golden Week	JPY pairs
Australia	ANZAC Day, Australia Day	AUD pairs

Some currencies may show low volatility or zero movement, making it feel like the market is closed.

5. What to Do When Forex Trading Is Not Available

Use the break productively:

• Review your trading journal
• Backtest your strategy
• Analyse weekly or monthly charts
• Refine your risk management rules
• Watch educational videos or join a live Q&A

Case Study: Weekend Planning

Rohan, a part-time trader from Nairobi, realised his performance dropped on Mondays due to rushed analysis. When forex trading was closed over the Easter weekend, he used the extra time to plan three swing trades, adjust his stop-loss methodology, and backtest a new EUR/USD setup. This preparation improved his execution significantly the following week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the forex market closed on weekends?

Yes, forex trading closes every Friday at 10 PM GMT and reopens Sunday at 10 PM GMT.

Why can’t I trade forex today?

Possible reasons include a public holiday, broker maintenance, or you’re viewing the market outside active sessions.

Are some currency pairs unavailable even if forex is open?

Yes. Certain pairs may be restricted due to low liquidity or region-specific holidays.

Can I place pending orders when forex is closed?

Yes. Most brokers allow placing and modifying pending orders even during closure.

What should I do when forex is closed?

Use the time for education, backtesting, analysis, or refining your trading plan.