Good Friday, which falls on Friday, April 18, 2025, is one of the holiest days on the Christian calendar. It marks the crucifixion of Jesus and recognizes the sacrifice of his death. While Good Friday isn't considered a federal holiday, it is observed by the faithful in a variety of ways including fasting, meditation, worship, or attending church services. Though it is one of the biggest Christian observances of the year, most businesses and government agencies, including the U.S. Postal Service, operate normally on the day.
A majority of banks and credit unions are also open during regular business hours on Good Friday. But what about Wall Street? Is the stock market open on Good Friday? If you're wondering if there will be trading on the April holiday, here's what you should know about the NYSE, the Nasdaq, and the bond market for 2025.
All U.S. markets, including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq, observe 10 holidays annually. These holidays include New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Along with the above holidays, Good Friday is also observed by the U.S. markets, which means that on Friday, April 18, all major U.S. stock markets will be closed and there will be no trading hours. U.S. bond markets observe the same holiday schedule as the stock market, so they will also be closed on Good Friday 2025.
Much like the U.S., many markets across the world will also be closed in observance of Good Friday, with some of those remaining closed on Monday, April 21, as well, in observance of Easter Monday. However, the U.S. markets do not observe Easter Monday and will, therefore, resume trading on Monday, April 21, 2025. Notable exceptions include the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the Shanghai Stock Exchange, which will remain open.
Despite the significance of Good Friday, it is important to note that it is not classified as a federal holiday in the U.S. Easter Sunday, which follows Good Friday, is also not recognized as a federal holiday. Federal holidays are typically more secular in nature and relate to historical events, such as Memorial Day, which honors the nation's deceased service members. The federal government has designated about a dozen holidays each year, but Good Friday and Easter are not among them.
Federal employees typically receive 11 vacation days per calendar year, plus an additional day when a new president is inaugurated. The remaining federal holidays in 2025 include Memorial Day on May 26, Juneteenth on June 19, Independence Day on July 4, Labor Day on September 1, Columbus Day on October 13, Veterans Day on November 11, Thanksgiving Day on November 27, and Christmas Day on December 25.
This upcoming weekend is Easter weekend, meaning Good Friday falls on April 18. Good Friday is the day in which Christian and Catholic churches across the world commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. According to Britannica, "From the early days of Christianity, Good Friday was observed as a day of sorrow, penance, and fasting." Easter, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, occurs on Sunday, April 20 this year and follows a 40-day period known as Lent.
As for operational hours on Good Friday, the U.S. Postal Service confirmed that all facilities will have normal operations on Friday, April 18, meaning USPS facilities will be open for retail transactions and mail will be delivered as usual. Bank branches will largely be open on Good Friday as well. Major banks like Capital One, Wells Fargo, PNC, Truist, CitiBank, and JPMorgan Chase have confirmed that their branches would be open on Friday.
In terms of package delivery, both UPS and FedEx will also be operating normally on Good Friday. UPS pickup and delivery services will be available, and UPS Store locations will be open on Friday, according to the company's website. Similarly, FedEx pickup and delivery services will be available, and FedEx Office locations will also be open on the same day.
In summary, while Good Friday is a significant observance for many Christians, it does not halt the operations of most businesses and government agencies in the U.S. The stock markets will remain closed, but banks and delivery services will continue to operate normally. As the faithful prepare for Easter Sunday, many will reflect on the meaning of Good Friday and what it represents in the Christian faith.
