Good Friday in 2025 occurs on April 18. It is a Christian holiday that remembers the day Jesus was crucified and died on the cross. The Forex market runs 24 hours a day, 5 days a week, but it slows down or even stops on major holidays.
On Good Friday 2025 Forex trading can be unpredictable due to lower liquidity, reduced trading volume, and major market closures. With major markets closed and liquidity low, it is important to understand the impact. Let us take a look at what US traders need to know on Good Friday.
Quick insights
Is the US Forex market open on Good Friday 2025?
- Yes, the Forex market remains open 24/5, but major stock exchanges such as the NYSE and NASDAQ will be closed for Good Friday.
- Major US financial institutions may observe an early closing and reducing market activity.
- Traders should check their broker’s holiday calendar for specific trading hours.
- This closure will lead to reduced liquidity and increased volatility in the Forex market on that day.
Good Friday 2025 Forex trading hours & market impact
The Forex market typically operates 24 hours a day, five days a week, across four major market trading sessions. However, Forex trading hours Good Friday are affected as follows.
| Session | Time (UTC) | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 10:00 PM – 7:00 AM | Market closed | Good Friday holiday, no trading. |
| Tokyo | 12:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Market open | Japan and China trading, but low activity. |
| London | 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Market closed | Most European markets shut. |
| New York | 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Market closed | NYSE and NASDAQ shut. |
Check out this helpful guide on Forex market hours to maximize your trading profits.
Good Friday market impact
- The US Forex market holiday, coupled with reduced operations by liquidity providers such as banks and financial institutions, leads to a significant reduction in trading volume. This results in wider spreads and increased trading costs.
- The reduced liquidity creates conditions for increased price volatility and potential slippage in order executions. Prices can move unpredictably, particularly on the Thursday before and the Monday after the holiday.
- News and market events that accumulate over the holiday period can cause significant price gaps when markets reopen.
- Forex brokers may adjust their trading hours or impose restrictions due to unusual market conditions.
How Good Friday affects liquidity & volatility
- Liquidity is very low because 11 states in the United States observe Good Friday as a public holiday, including Kentucky, North Dakota, Indiana, Louisiana, Florida, Hawaii, Texas, Delaware, North Carolina, Tennessee, Connecticut, and New Jersey.
- Many financial institutions in key markets close or operate with reduced hours on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
- Fewer market participants lead to reduced trading volume, affecting overall liquidity.
- Lower liquidity causes wider spreads, increasing trading costs for USD currency pairs.
- Since many traders are off during Forex market holidays like Good Friday, any major economic or geopolitical news that drops might not see immediate price action but could cause gaps when markets reopen.
- Erratic price movements and slippage are common, particularly in commodities like oil and gold.
- Hedge funds and big institutions often reduce market or pause trading, leading to unpredictable price action as retail traders dominate.
Best trading strategies for Good Friday 2025
- Avoid opening new trades near holidays to reduce risk unless you’ve analyzed the opportunity well.
- Close short term trades before the market closes to avoid weekend exposure and wider spreads.
- Use stop-loss and take-profit orders to protect open trades from unexpected market moves.
- Avoid using leverage, as it can lead to huge losses.
- Avoid large trades since market conditions are unpredictable.
- Check the economic calendar to know when liquidity will be low.
Trading smart is all about timing, planning, and managing your risk effectively. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced trader, these essential tips can help you stay ahead in the market.
Discover the 13 Proven Forex Trading Strategies for Consistent Profits in 2025 and take your trading to the next level.
Conclusion
Good Friday 2025 falls on April 18, affecting financial markets and Forex trading. While the Forex market typically remains open, often with reduced liquidity, market activity is generally lower due to stock exchange closures.
To trade Forex confidently, traders should adjust their strategies to account for potential wider spreads and increased volatility, carefully manage risk, and check their broker’s specific trading hours. Use this market holiday to analyze market behavior and refine trading strategies for better trades in Forex.
Pro Tip
Use Good Friday’s low-liquidity period to analyze market trends and refine your strategy rather than actively trading. Use our broker finder tool to compare trusted Forex brokers and stay updated on CFDs, stocks, and crypto for smarter trading decisions. Share your thoughts below!
