In short
- Forex keeps trading on UK bank holidays, but liquidity is thinner.
- Christmas Day and New Year's Day are effectively closed at most brokers.
- Check your broker's holiday trading schedule for index and commodity CFDs.
UK bank holidays (England and Wales)
- New Year's Day
- Good Friday and Easter Monday
- Early May bank holiday
- Spring bank holiday (late May)
- Summer bank holiday (late August)
- Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Scotland and Northern Ireland have some different dates.
What changes on a holiday
| UK holiday | US holiday | |
|---|---|---|
| GBP pairs | Thinner liquidity, wider spreads | Normal-ish in London hours |
| USD pairs | Normal-ish | Quieter afternoon, no US data |
| Index CFDs | UK 100 may close or trade on reduced hours | US indices may close |
The Christmas period
Between Christmas and New Year, many institutional traders are away. Thin markets can produce sudden moves on small orders. Many traders reduce position sizes or stay flat.
Planning tips
- Check your broker's published holiday hours.
- Be aware of financing: some brokers charge extra days of financing around holidays.
- Avoid leaving large positions open over long holiday weekends.
Frequently asked questions
Is forex open on UK bank holidays?
Yes, the global market stays open because other centres are trading. London liquidity is lower, so spreads on GBP pairs can be wider.
Is the forex market open on Christmas Day?
Most brokers close or offer very limited trading on Christmas Day and New Year's Day, when major centres are shut.
CFDs and spread bets are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Most retail investor accounts lose money when trading these products. You should consider whether you understand how they work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Content is general information, not financial or tax advice.