By 
Christmas Day 2026 falls on Friday, December 25. It’s a federal holiday, so banks, the Federal Reserve, federal offices, and the stock market are all closed. Because it lands on a Friday, it creates a three-day banking weekend through Monday, December 28. The stock market also closes early, at 1 p.m. ET, on Christmas Eve, December 24. Here’s what to handle before the long weekend.
Key Takeaways
- Christmas Day 2026 is Friday, December 25, creating a three-day banking weekend through Monday, December 28.
- Banks, the Federal Reserve, federal offices, and the stock market are all fully closed on December 25.
- The stock market closes early (1 p.m. ET) on Christmas Eve, December 24, a half day, not a full closure.
- ACH transfers and wires initiated December 25 settle Monday, December 28, so move time-sensitive money by Wednesday, December 23.
What Closes on Christmas Day
- Federal Reserve: Closed. ACH transfers (direct deposits, bill payments, bank-to-bank transfers) process through the Fed, so anything initiated December 25 won’t settle until the next business day.
- Major banks: Nearly all banks close physical branches, including Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citi, U.S. Bank, and PNC.
- Stock market: Fully closed. The NYSE and Nasdaq don’t trade at all on December 25, and reopen Monday, December 28.
- Post offices: USPS is closed; no mail delivery.
- IRS and Social Security Administration: Federal offices are closed, so expect a one-day delay on anything you were expecting by December 25.
What About Christmas Eve, December 24?
December 24 is a normal business day for banks, but the stock market closes early, at 1 p.m. ET instead of the usual 4 p.m., under the standard holiday-eve schedule. If you have trades to place on December 24, plan for the shortened session.
What Still Works on Christmas Day
- ATMs: Available as normal for cash withdrawals.
- Debit and credit card purchases: Work normally, since point-of-sale transactions aren’t affected by banking holidays.
- Online and mobile banking: Account access, balances, and internal transfers within the same bank typically work. What doesn’t work is moving money between different banks via ACH.
- Zelle: Transfers between enrolled users usually process within minutes and are generally not affected, though some banks have internal processing variations.
What Gets Delayed
- ACH transfers: Bank-to-bank transfers initiated December 25 settle Monday, December 28, instead of the same day. To pay a bill due around December 25, start the transfer by December 23.
- Direct deposits: If your pay date falls on December 25, most employers process payroll in advance so it arrives December 23 or 24. Confirm with your employer if you’re unsure.
- Wire transfers: Domestic wires run through Fedwire, which is closed on federal holidays, so a wire initiated December 25 settles December 28.
- New account openings: Anything that needs in-person verification at a branch can’t be completed while branches are closed.
What to Do Before December 25
If any of these are coming up, handle them on Wednesday, December 23, or earlier:
- Bill payments due on or around December 25 that go through ACH.
- Bank-to-bank transfers you need settled before the weekend.
- Wire transfers for real estate closings or other time-sensitive deals.
- In-branch needs like notarization, cashier’s checks, or safe deposit box access.
- Any last tax-loss harvesting trades, since the market’s last full trading day before year-end is close behind.
This is also the natural moment to check your year-end tax moves checklist before the calendar turns, and to make sure your holiday cash is earning something in a high-yield savings account instead of sitting idle.
FAQ
Is the stock market open on Christmas Day 2026?
No. The NYSE and Nasdaq are fully closed on Friday, December 25, 2026, and reopen Monday, December 28. The market does trade a shortened session on Christmas Eve, December 24, closing at 1 p.m. ET.
Are banks open on Christmas?
No. Banks, the Federal Reserve, and federal offices are closed. ATMs, cards, and online banking still work, but ACH transfers between banks are delayed.
Will my direct deposit be late?
Usually not. Most employers process payroll in advance, so a deposit scheduled for December 25 typically arrives December 23 or 24. Confirm with your employer if you depend on the timing.
When will a transfer sent on December 25 arrive?
An ACH transfer or domestic wire initiated December 25 settles on Monday, December 28, the next business day.
Bottom Line
Banks, the Fed, federal offices, and the stock market are all closed for Christmas on Friday, December 25, 2026, creating a three-day banking weekend, with the market closing early at 1 p.m. ET the day before. Cards, ATMs, online banking, and Zelle keep working, but ACH transfers and wires are delayed until Monday, December 28, so take care of anything time-sensitive by December 23.
This guide is for informational purposes only. Holiday observance can vary by institution, so it’s worth confirming closures and processing times with your specific bank.
