The forex market runs 24/5, but exactly how many trading days fall in 2025? With holidays, weekends, and daylight savings in the mix, the answer isn’t as simple as 261 (365 minus weekends). Let’s unpack it in trader-speak—no fluff, just solid strategy.
What Is a Trading Day?
Definition of a Trading Day
A trading day is typically any weekday (Mon–Fri) when trading centers are open and liquidity is available. In forex, global overlaps allow trading nearly nonstop—so if data feeds are live, it counts as a trading day.
Trading Day vs. Calendar Day
Every calendar day isn’t a trading day. Weekends and holidays are off. So while 2025 has 365 calendar days, some are “silent” in market terms.
Why Trading Days Matter to Forex Traders
Fewer trading days = fewer opportunities, less volatility, and skewed monthly or yearly performance metrics. Planning your trading year around these helps set realistic targets and manage risk.
How the Forex Market Operates
Forex Market Hours and Sessions
Forex operates in four major sessions—Sydney, Tokyo, London, and New York—totaling 24 hours of potential trading time Monday through Friday. The key advantage is when sessions overlap, volumes and volatility bump up.
Difference Between Forex and Stock Market Trading Days
Stocks trade typically 9:30–16:00 local time, with weekend shutdowns everywhere. Forex is 24/5—only shutting down for global weekends and key public holidays.
Weekend and Holiday Closures in Forex
Even though it’s 24/5, major global holidays like Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Good Friday will shut major liquidity windows. Some brokers even pause trading for proprietary reasons.
How Many Forex Trading Days Are There in a Year?
Average Forex Trading Days Per Year
A standard year has about 252–255 trading days (365 days minus ~104 weekend days minus ~6–11 holidays).
Forex Market Holidays by Region (2025 Snapshot)
Here are major closures:
- US: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.
- UK/EU: Good Friday, Easter Monday, Christmas, Boxing Day.
- Asia/Australia: Varies—Chinese New Year, Golden Week, and ANZAC.
Total global forex holiday overlap yields roughly 247–250 actual trading days.
Factors That Affect Forex Trading Availability
- Regional holidays affecting liquidity in specific currency pairs
- Broker-specific closures
- Daylight savings shifts slightly alter session start times
How to Calculate Forex Trading Days in a Year
Step-by-Step Method
- Start with 365 days for 2025
- Subtract weekends (52 weeks × 2 = 104 days) => 261
- Subtract overlapping public holidays (~11 global/common USD/EU ones) => ~250
- Adjust for broker-specific or regional anomalies => expect 247–250 working days
Tools and Calendars You Can Use
- Forex Factory Calendar
- Myfxbook Calendar
- Broker holiday lists (e.g. OANDA, IG)
- Excel/Google Sheets to build your count
Trading Day Count for 2025 (Example)
- Jan 1 (Wed) – New Year’s → Closed
- Mar 29 (Fri) – Good Friday → Closed
- Dec 25 (Thu) – Christmas → Closed
- …and so on
You end up with around 248–249 actual trading days—subject to your broker’s schedule.
Monthly Breakdown of Forex Trading Days
How Many Forex Trading Days Are in a Month?
- January 2025: 22 (31 days – 4 weekends – New Year)
- February 2025: 20
- …(adjust each month for holidays)…
Expect 20–23 trading days monthly on average.
Seasonal Patterns or Changes by Month
- December & July: lighter volumes
- August: European holidays reduce liquidity
- January: New year resets volatility patterns
Best Times to Trade Forex in 2025
Best Days of the Week to Trade Forex
- Tuesday–Thursday: highest volatility and liquidity
- Mondays often slow to start; Fridays taper off midday in New York
Best Time of Day Based on Sessions
- London/New York overlap (13:00–17:00 GMT) is peak action
- Tokyo/London overlap (07:00–09:00 GMT) sees bursts, especially for EUR/JPY
Best Months Based on Volatility and Volume
- January–March and September–November tend to deliver the most robust moves (economic resets, data season).
How Many Forex Trading Days Are Left in 2025?
How to Calculate Remaining Days
- Check today: July 11, 2025.
- Count weekdays from July 12 to Dec 31 => ~115 weekdays
- Subtract known holidays (e.g., Thanksgiving, Christmas) => ≈112–113 trading days left.
Planning Trades Around Year‑End Holidays
Block out these days:
- Thanksgiving week (Nov)
- Christmas (Dec 25)
- New Year’s week (Dec 31)
Avoid big news releases or fixture changes in volatility/liquidity.
Common Mistakes in Planning Forex Trades
Ignoring Holidays
Missing public holidays can mess with backtesting data, expected volumes, or spreading.
Overlooking Time Zone Differences
Sydney’s holiday doesn’t shut London—but liquidity in AUD pairs can yaw wide.
Failing to Adjust for Daylight Savings
Shifts in the US/EU sessions can cause timing blips—especially during overlap windows.
Advanced Tips for Managing Trading Days
Using Trading Calendars Effectively
Mark global and regional holidays in your planner. Know when USD, EUR, JPY, AUD windows thin.
Incorporating Global Market Overlaps
Prioritize European morning and US afternoon overlaps—sweet spot for cross-pair trades.
The 80/20 Rule in Trade Planning
80% of your PnL likely comes in 20% of days—those with high-impact news or session overlaps.
Conclusion
Key Takeaways on Forex Trading Days in 2025
- Expect around 247–250 trading days
- Monthly counts vary (20–23 days)
- Peaks in spring and fall, quieter in summer and holidays
Final Tips for Planning Your Forex Year
- Always track holidays and holiday-induced volatility shifts
- Lean into overlap sessions for maximum ROI
- Use forward-looking calendars to align strategies with market cycles
FAQ
In 2025, traders can expect approximately 247 to 250 forex trading days, depending on regional holidays and broker-specific schedules.
No, the forex market generally observes key global holidays like New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Christmas, and other national holidays that affect regional liquidity.
December and August typically have fewer trading days due to year-end holidays and summer vacation seasons, especially in Europe.
Yes—Monday to Friday are trading days unless they coincide with a public or broker-specific holiday. Weekends are non-trading periods globally.
Forex operates across multiple global time zones. While a holiday in the U.S. might affect USD trading, other sessions (like Asia or Europe) may still be active.
Use real-time resources like Forex Factory Calendar, Myfxbook, or your broker’s trading calendar. These tools help track holidays, events, and session overlaps.
