CME Trading Hours 2026: Complete Holiday Schedule for Futures Traders

Planning your 2026 trading calendar? CME Group has published the complete holiday schedule for 2026, and if you're trading futures you need to know exactly when markets are closed or running on modified hours. This guide covers everything you need to know about CME's 2026 trading schedule.

IMPORTANT: All times listed are in Central Time (CT) unless otherwise noted. CME Globex operates on CT, not ET.

Quick Reference: 2026 CME Holidays

Here's the TL;DR version to save or screenshot:

Regular CME Globex Trading Hours

Before we dive into holidays, here's the standard schedule:

CME Globex (Electronic Trading):

• Sunday: Opens at 5:00 PM CT
• Monday-Thursday: Continuous trading with a 60-minute maintenance break from 4:00-5:00 PM CT
• Friday: Closes at 4:00 PM CT

Most futures traders use Globex exclusively, but if you're trading floor-based products, those hours are much more limited (typically 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM CT, Monday-Friday).

Complete 2026 CME Holiday Calendar

Here are all the holidays that affect CME trading in 2026:

New Year's Day - Thursday, January 1, 2026

Important: Stock exchanges are closed, but CME Globex operates on a modified schedule.

• Day Session: Closed Thursday, January 1
• Reopens: Thursday, January 1 at 5:00 PM CT for Friday's trade date

Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Monday, January 19, 2026

Critical Note: This is NOT a full market closure. Stock exchanges are closed, but CME Globex is open.

• Sunday Evening: Opens normally at 5:00 PM CT for Monday's trade date
• Monday: Early halt around 12:00 PM CT
• Monday Evening: Reopens at 5:00 PM CT for Tuesday's trade date

Day orders entered after Sunday's pre-opening are for Tuesday's trade date and continue working until Tuesday's Globex close.

Presidents Day - Monday, February 16, 2026

Critical Note: This is NOT a full market closure. Stock exchanges are closed, but CME Globex is open.

• Sunday Evening: Opens normally at 5:00 PM CT for Monday's trade date
• Monday: Early halt around 12:00 PM CT
• Monday Evening: Reopens at 5:00 PM CT for Tuesday's trade date

Day orders entered after Sunday's pre-opening are for Tuesday's trade date and continue working until Tuesday's Globex close.

Good Friday - Friday, April 3, 2026

This is the big one. No trading at all on Friday. Many traders forget about Good Friday and get caught holding positions.

Due to the US Employment Situation Release (NFP) on April 3, 2026:

• CME Group Equities, FX, Cryptocurrency and Interest Rate products will have unique closes and settlements for trade date April 3
• All other CME, CBT, NYMEX and COMEX products will have their settlements copied from April 2 to April 3
• No trading for Friday April 3 trade date in observance of Good Friday
• Reopens: Sunday, April 5 at 5:00 PM CT for Monday's trade date

Memorial Day - Monday, May 25, 2026

• Sunday Evening: Opens normally at 5:00 PM CT for Monday's trade date
• Monday: Early halt
• Monday Evening: Reopens at 5:00 PM CT for Tuesday's trade date

Day orders entered after Sunday's pre-opening are for Tuesday's trade date and continue working until Tuesday's Globex close.

Juneteenth - Friday, June 19, 2026

• Thursday Evening: Opens normally
• Friday: Early halt
• Sunday Evening: Reopens at 5:00 PM CT for Monday's trade date

Day orders entered after Thursday's pre-opening are for Monday's trade date and continue working until Monday's Globex close.

Independence Day - Friday, July 3, 2026

Since July 4th falls on a Saturday in 2026, the observed holiday is Friday, July 3.

• Thursday Evening: Opens normally
• Friday: Early halt
• Sunday Evening: Reopens at 5:00 PM CT for Monday's trade date

Day orders entered after Thursday's pre-opening are for Monday's trade date and continue working until Monday's Globex close.

Labor Day - Monday, September 7, 2026

• Sunday Evening: Opens normally at 5:00 PM CT for Monday's trade date
• Monday: Early halt
• Monday Evening: Reopens at 5:00 PM CT for Tuesday's trade date

Day orders entered after Sunday's pre-opening are for Tuesday's trade date and continue working until Tuesday's Globex close.

Thanksgiving - Thursday, November 26, 2026

• Wednesday Evening: Regular trading
• Thursday: Day session closed
• Thursday Evening: Reopens at 5:00 PM CT for Friday's trade date
• Friday, November 27: Early close around 12:00 PM CT

Black Friday is a half-day, so plan accordingly.

Christmas Day - Friday, December 25, 2026

• Thursday Evening: Regular trading
• Friday: Day session closed
• Friday Evening: Reopens at 5:00 PM CT for Monday's trade date (December 28)

Understanding "Early Halt" vs "Early Close"

There's an important distinction:

Early Halt (Monday holidays):

• Markets open Sunday evening at 5:00 PM CT
• Trading continues until approximately 12:00 PM CT on Monday
• Markets reopen Monday evening at 5:00 PM CT
• Stock exchanges are closed, but CME Globex operates

Early Close (Friday holidays):

• Markets typically halt early on the Friday before the weekend
• Exact times vary by product

For most liquid contracts like ES, NQ, and CL, early halts typically occur around 12:00 PM CT for Monday holidays.

What About NFP and FOMC?

Two important non-holiday events that affect trading:

Non-Farm Payroll (NFP)

• Released the first Friday of every month at 8:30 AM ET
• Many prop firms prohibit trading during this release
• April 3, 2026 is a special case: NFP coincides with Good Friday, resulting in unique settlement procedures

FOMC Announcements When major economic releases coincide with holidays or market events, CME may adjust trading hours or settlement procedures. Always check CME's website a few days before major events.

Important Disclaimers

This schedule is subject to change. Trading hours are usually finalized approximately two weeks prior to the holiday. Holiday schedules are subject to input from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA).

Always verify the schedule closer to each holiday. CME occasionally makes last-minute adjustments based on market conditions or coordination with other exchanges.

Product-specific variations exist. Different products may have different trading hours during holidays. Always check the specific schedule for your products.

For CrossTrade Users

To successfully navigate holiday hours, simply adjust your Trading Window inside of the NinjaTrader Account Manager to use auto-flattening. This will ensure no more orders are sent to NT8 after the end of your window.

What About NFP and FOMC?

Two important non-holiday events that affect trading:

Non-Farm Payroll (NFP) Released the first Friday of every month at 8:30 AM ET. Many prop firms prohibit trading during this release.

April 3, 2026 Special Case: NFP falls on Good Friday in 2026. Due to this conflict, CME Group Equities, FX, Cryptocurrency and Interest Rate products will have unique closes and settlements for trade date April 3rd.

FOMC Announcements
FOMC meetings occur approximately 8 times per year, typically on Wednesdays. Rate decisions cause significant market volatility. Check the Federal Reserve calendar for exact dates.

When major economic releases coincide with holidays or market events, CME may adjust trading hours or settlement procedures. Always check CME's website a few days before major events.

Important Disclaimers

This schedule is subject to change. Trading hours are usually finalized approximately two weeks prior to the holiday. Holiday schedules are subject to input from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA).

Always verify the schedule closer to each holiday. CME occasionally makes last-minute adjustments based on market conditions or coordination with other exchanges.

Note: This schedule applies specifically to CME Globex electronic trading. Floor trading hours differ and are more limited. Always refer to the official CME Group website for the most current information and product-specific details.

The Bottom Line

CME's 2026 holiday schedule requires careful attention to detail:

• Ten modified trading days throughout the year (not full closures)
• Early halts on Monday holidays typically around 12:00 PM CT
• Markets reopen Monday evenings at 5:00 PM CT for Tuesday's trade date
• Good Friday (April 3) is a true market closure with special NFP settlement
• All times are Central Time (CT) - don't confuse with Eastern Time (ET)
• Stock exchange closures don't mean CME Globex is closed
• Verify the schedule 2 weeks before each holiday for any last-minute changes

If you're serious about trading, add these dates to your calendar now. Set reminders for the day before each holiday to flatten positions and disable any automated strategies.

Missing a holiday closure is amateur hour. Understanding the modified schedules is what separates professionals from beginners.

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