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.

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 Central Time (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

• CME Globex: Closed all day Thursday, January 1
• Early Close: Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at 12:00 PM CT (noon)
• Reopens: Thursday, January 1 at 6:00 PM CT for Friday's trade date

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

• CME Globex: Closed all day Monday, January 19
• Reopens: Monday, January 19 at 6:00 PM CT for Tuesday's trade date

Presidents Day - Monday, February 16, 2026

• CME Globex: Closed all day Monday, February 16
• Reopens: Monday, February 16 at 6:00 PM CT for Tuesday's trade date

Good Friday - Friday, April 3, 2026

• CME Globex: Closed all day Friday, April 3
• Early Close: Thursday, April 2 at 12:00 PM CT
• Reopens: Sunday, April 5 at 5:00 PM CT for Monday's trade date

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

Memorial Day - Monday, May 25, 2026

• CME Globex: Closed all day Monday, May 25
• Early Close: Friday, May 22 at 12:00 PM CT
• Reopens: Monday, May 25 at 6:00 PM CT for Tuesday's trade date

Juneteenth - Friday, June 19, 2026

• CME Globex: Closed all day Friday, June 19
• Reopens: Sunday, June 21 at 5:00 PM CT for Monday's trade date

Independence Day - Friday, July 3, 2026

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

• CME Globex: Closed all day Friday, July 3
• Early Close: Thursday, July 2 at 12:00 PM CT
• Reopens: Sunday, July 5 at 5:00 PM CT for Monday's trade date

Labor Day - Monday, September 7, 2026

• CME Globex: Closed all day Monday, September 7
• Reopens: Monday, September 7 at 6:00 PM CT for Tuesday's trade date

Columbus Day - Monday, October 12, 2026

• CME Globex: Closed all day Monday, October 12
• Reopens: Monday, October 12 at 6:00 PM CT for Tuesday's trade date

Note: Not all markets observe Columbus Day, but CME does.

Veterans Day - Wednesday, November 11, 2026

• CME Globex: Closed all day Wednesday, November 11
• Reopens: Wednesday, November 11 at 6:00 PM CT for Thursday's trade date

Thanksgiving - Thursday, November 26, 2026

• CME Globex: Closed all day Thursday, November 26
• Early Close: Friday, November 27 at 12:00 PM CT
• Reopens: Sunday, November 29 at 5:00 PM CT for Monday's trade date

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

Christmas Day - Friday, December 25, 2026

• CME Globex: Closed all day Friday, December 25
• Early Close: Thursday, December 24 at 12:00 PM CT
• Reopens: Sunday, December 27 at 5:00 PM CT for Monday's trade date

What "Early Close" Really Means

When CME lists an "early close," it means the trading floor closes at 12:00 PM CT. However, CME Globex (electronic trading) typically runs on a modified schedule that varies by product.

For most liquid contracts like ES, NQ, and CL, here's what happens on early close days:

1. Markets close early (usually around 1:00 PM CT for equity products)
2. There's an extended maintenance window
3. Markets reopen Sunday evening at the regular time (5:00 PM CT)

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.

FOMC Announcements

Due to the US Employment Situation Release on April 3, 2026, CME Group Equities, FX, Cryptocurrency and Interest Rate products will have unique closes and settlements for trade date April 3rd.

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.

The Bottom Line

CME's 2026 holiday schedule is published and relatively straightforward. The key things to remember:

1. Twelve full market closures throughout the year
2. Early closes (12:00 PM CT) the day before major holidays
3. Combined trading days can affect prop firm drawdown calculations
4. Automated strategies need explicit holiday handling
5. 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. Don't be that trader.

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