Easter Forex Trading Hours 2025: What Forex Traders Should Do

Easter 2025 will impact Forex trading with market closures and reduced liquidity. On Good Friday, many financial centers will be closed or have limited trading hours, leading to lower trading volume and wider spreads. Easter Monday will also affect market activity, with some regions remaining closed while others reopen, creating uneven participation and potential price swings.

To manage these conditions, traders should be cautious of sudden market moves. Avoiding high-risk trades, focusing on major currency pairs, and trading during more active sessions can help. Since Easter Monday may bring irregular momentum, staying flexible and prepared is essential. This guide will cover market closures, liquidity shifts, volatility impacts, and strategies for trading effectively during this period.

For a deeper understanding of Forex trading success, check out 5 Proven Steps to Become a Successful Forex Trader in 2025.

Quick insights

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Understanding Easter 2025 Forex market closures

• The Easter 2025 holiday period will bring about noticeable changes in Forex trading conditions.
• Traders need to understand the impact of these closures to effectively manage risk.
• The first significant disruption occurs on Good Friday, April 18th.
• The US major markets have closed, but the Forex market remains open 24/5, though liquidity will drastically decrease, leading to wider spreads and potential volatility in major pairs like EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/CHF.
• While some trading may continue in USD/JPY and emerging markets, the risk of slippage will be significantly elevated, disrupting the normal continuous flow.
• Following Good Friday, the Forex market will observe its standard Sunday closure on April 20th, further pausing the 24/5 cycle.
• Moving into Easter Monday, April 21st, a mixed market scenario unfolds.
• The US markets will reopen, boosting liquidity during their session.
• However, the European session will see lower activity as major European exchanges remain closed, keeping trading volumes lower in EUR/USD and GBP/USD and delaying the full resumption of normal 24/5 trading conditions.
• Traders should expect a gradual return to normal liquidity, likely stabilizing by Tuesday, April 22nd.
• During the Easter 2025 holiday period, traders must prioritize risk management and adapt strategies due to reduced liquidity.
• This is essential for navigating the temporary disruption of the Forex market’s normal 24/5 availability.

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Impact of Easter holidays on Forex liquidity and volatility

Easter holidays can significantly affect the Forex market. Major events like Good Friday and Easter Monday are observed in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom,Canada, and Germany, leading to market closures.

Although Easter Sunday is a key holiday, it does not directly impact Forex markets, as trading is closed every Sunday. The most notable effects on liquidity and price movements occur on Good Friday and Easter Monday, when financial institutions and Stock exchanges remain closed.

Decreased market activity and participation

• Easter Forex market closures: Many financial institutions and Stock exchanges are closed, causing a decrease in market activity and liquidity. This leads to wider spreads and less efficient price discovery.
• Market efficiency: With fewer key players, orders may not fill as expected, and trades may take longer to execute, making it harder for traders to manage positions effectively.

Higher market volatility

• Unpredictable price movements: With fewer participants, even small news or events can cause larger price swings due to the lack of liquidity, making the market more volatile. That’s why knowing how to check and measure Forex market volatility in 2025 is super essential.
• Risk of slippage: The lower liquidity also increases the risk of slippage, where trades are executed at a different price than expected, leading to potential losses.

Currency pairs and short-term changes

• Currency volatility: Currency pairs linked to countries observing the Easter holidays, such as the EUR, USD, and GBP pairs, are more likely to experience volatility due to lower market participation.
• Short-term movement: In the short term, currencies may weaken if there is uncertainty or strengthen if critical economic data is released during the holiday.

Market mood and speculative trends

• Cautious sentiment: Investors tend to be more cautious during holidays, which slows down market movements and reduces overall market momentum.
• Speculation: With fewer participants, traders might try to profit from market inefficiencies, though these opportunities can come with higher risks.

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Strategies for trading during Easter 2025

Here are 8 strategies for trading during Easter 2025 in the US, considering the reduced liquidity and volatility, and the importance of the Forex market holiday schedule 2025.

#1 Avoid trading on Good Friday

• Since the US Stock markets and Bond markets will be closed on Good Friday (April 18, 2025) and activity will remain subdued on Easter Monday (April 21, 2025), markets closed will result in significantly reduced liquidity.
• It is best to avoid trading on these days unless you are an experienced trader familiar with low liquidity conditions and how they impact Easter Forex trading hours.

#2 Focus on major currency pairs

• During market holiday, currency pairs involving the USD, such as EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY, are likely to be the most active.
• These pairs may experience some movement even with reduced participation due to their larger market share, as the market experiences lower liquidity and thinner trading conditions.

 #3 Use limit orders

• To manage the increased risk of slippage, consider using limit orders rather than market orders.
• This allows you to set your desired entry and exit points, helping avoid unwanted price movements.

#4 Monitor economic data releases

• Look out for any scheduled economic data releases or news events, especially those related to the US economy.
• Even with lower overall market participation, significant data releases or unexpected news can lead to sharp price movements.
• Be prepared for potential volatility around these events.

# 5 Consider swing trading over day trading

• Swing trading might be a more suitable strategy than day trading during this period, especially when considering the potential fluctuations during Forex Easter trading hours.
• With reduced volatility, the market may not offer the same intraday opportunities. Swing trading can help you ride out short-term volatility and capture longer-term trends.

#6 Trade during active hours (US session on Easter Monday)

• While trading activity will remain subdued through Good Friday, things will gradually improve on Easter Monday (April 21) when US markets reopen.
• Focus on the US trading session, which typically offers more liquidity as institutional traders return.

#7 Stay cautious and monitor spreads

• Widened spreads are common during periods of low liquidity. This means that the cost of trading may be higher than usual.
• Always check your broker’s spreads, and ensure you are comfortable with the associated trading costs before placing any trades.

#8 Prepare for post-holiday volatility

• After Easter, when market conditions stabilize, be prepared for an increase in volatility as traders react to the return of normal liquidity levels.
• It might be best to wait until Tuesday, April 22, to reassess the market and plan your trades based on more predictable conditions.

By applying these 8 strategies, you can navigate the Easter period more effectively and minimize risks associated with reduced liquidity and volatility.

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Forex trading during holidays: Key considerations for Easter Monday trading

• US major financial markets, including Stocks and Forex, will operate on regular hours since Easter Monday is not a federal holiday.
• However, trading volumes may be lower as some traders extend their holiday break, leading to reduced liquidity, wider spreads, and potentially slower price movements.
• Lower market participation could increase volatility, particularly in less liquid currency pairs. Unsure about Forex Pairs and How they work and how to read? Check out our article to learn more.
• Additionally, consider economic releases scheduled for the day could drive market sentiment and create unexpected price swings, making it essential for traders to stay informed.
• Many European markets, including those in the UK, Germany, France, and Switzerland, will remain closed, reducing overall trading volume in EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and CHF/USD pairs during the European session.
• Traders can use demo accounts to practice different strategies before committing real money. Practicing in a demo account helps refine trading skills and prepares traders for lower liquidity conditions without risking real capital.
• To manage risks, traders should use limit orders to control price slippage and avoid trading during periods of low market activity.

To navigate the day effectively, traders should consider using limit orders to manage price slippage and avoid trading during the least active hours.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, Easter 2025 brings challenges for Forex traders due to market closures, time zone differences, and lower liquidity. With many financial institutions and Stock exchanges closed or working limited hours, trading will be slower, with wider spreads and potential price gaps. Traders should be cautious, avoid high-risk trades, and focus on more liquid currency pairs like USD/JPY. Using limit orders and staying updated on economic data can help manage risks during this time.

Market conditions should improve once US markets reopen on Easter Monday, April 21, though volatility might remain higher due to uneven global market participation. Traders should be ready for price swings and focus on the US session for better liquidity. By April 22, after the holiday period, the market should return to normal, allowing for more stable trading conditions. This makes it an ideal time to trade Forex.

For essential guidance on Forex trading, explore 5 Steps to Trade Forex in the USA 2025 – (Mind blowing Tips).