New Year’s Eve Worldwide: Public Holidays, Closures & Early Market Hours

New Year's Eve 2026 falls on Thursday, December 31.

Every December 31, millions of professionals and travelers ask the identical question: "Is New Year’s Eve a public holiday?" Across the majority of the world, December 31 is an ordinary statutory workday. However, Thailand and the Philippines designate it as a full statutory public holiday; Japan enforces a statutory administrative shutdown from December 29 to January 3; and when January 1 falls on a Saturday, the United States federal government and Taiwan observe Friday, December 31 as a full statutory day off. Crucially for business and finance, major stock exchanges including the LSE, Euronext, SGX, and HKEX enforce mandatory early market closes.

Also known as: December 31 · Silvester · Nochevieja · Réveillon · 大晦日 · Last Day of the Year

The short answer

4 countries and regions in our calendar mark it. Dates and days off below cover 2025–2028.

2025
Wednesday, December 31
2026
Thursday, December 31
2027
Friday, December 31
2028
Sunday, December 31

Dates year by year

YearDateDayPlaces observingLongest break
2025December 31, 2025Wednesday21 days
2026December 31, 2026Thursday21 days
2027December 31, 2027Friday41 days
2028December 31, 2028Sunday21 days

Dates by country and year

Compare the festival date across countries and every year we publish.

Country / region2025202620272028
ThailandDecember 31, 2025December 31, 2026December 31, 2027ProvisionalDecember 31, 2028Provisional
PhilippinesDecember 31, 2025December 31, 2026December 31, 2027December 31, 2028Provisional
JapanDecember 31, 2025Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2026Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2027Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2028Not a public holiday
United StatesDecember 31, 2025Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2026Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2027December 31, 2028Not a public holiday
United KingdomDecember 31, 2025Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2026Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2027Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2028Not a public holiday
FranceDecember 31, 2025Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2026Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2027Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2028Not a public holiday
GermanyDecember 31, 2025Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2026Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2027Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2028Not a public holiday
SingaporeDecember 31, 2025Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2026Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2027Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2028Not a public holiday
Hong KongDecember 31, 2025Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2026Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2027Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2028Not a public holiday
TaiwanDecember 31, 2025Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2026Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2027December 31, 2028Not a public holiday
ChinaDecember 31, 2025Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2026Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2027Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2028Not a public holiday
South KoreaDecember 31, 2025Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2026Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2027Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2028Not a public holiday
SwedenDecember 31, 2025Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2026Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2027Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2028Not a public holiday
NorwayDecember 31, 2025Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2026Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2027Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2028Not a public holiday
BrazilDecember 31, 2025Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2026Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2027Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2028Not a public holiday
ChileDecember 31, 2025Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2026Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2027Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2028Not a public holiday
AustraliaDecember 31, 2025Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2026Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2027Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2028Not a public holiday
CanadaDecember 31, 2025Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2026Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2027Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2028Not a public holiday
ItalyDecember 31, 2025Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2026Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2027Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2028Not a public holiday
SpainDecember 31, 2025Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2026Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2027Not a public holidayDecember 31, 2028Not a public holiday

Who gets the day off

Every row is derived from that country’s official calendar on this site, so the day counts include substitute days and government bridge days exactly as gazetted.

New Year's Eve 2025

Country / regionCalledDateDays off
Thailand
New Year's Eve (วันสิ้นปี)Official nationwide statutory public holiday designated by royal decree and cabinet resolution; links with New Year’s Day for a continuous national holiday break.December 31, 20251days
Philippines
Last Day of the YearProclaimed annually as a nationwide Special Non-Working Day by presidential decree (Proclamation 1427); schools and government close, "no work, no pay" applies to private staff unless stipulated.December 31, 20251days
Japan
Year-End Administrative Closure (年末年始閉庁)Under the Act on Administrative Organs’ Holidays (Act No. 91 of 1988), all public offices shut from Dec 29 to Jan 3; banks close, and Japan Exchange Group (JPX) has zero trading.December 31, 2025Working day
United States
Dec 31 Workday · Observed New Year Holiday in 2027Normally a regular working day; NYSE operates full hours. However, when Jan 1 falls on Saturday (as in 2028), 5 U.S.C. 6103(b) shifts the federal New Year holiday to Friday Dec 31 (full statutory shutdown).December 31, 2025Working day
United Kingdom
Dec 31 Regular Workday · LSE Early Close at 12:30Not a UK bank holiday; however, the London Stock Exchange (LSE) systematically enforces an early trading close at 12:30 GMT, and corporate offices universally close by mid-afternoon.December 31, 2025Working day
France
Dec 31 Regular Workday · Euronext Closes at 14:05Standard working day (Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre); Euronext Paris halts cash equity trading early at 14:05 CET, while shops and restaurants operate intensive evening hours.December 31, 2025Working day
Germany
Dec 31 Silvester · Frankfurt Exchange ClosedNot a federal statutory holiday (gesetzlicher Feiertag), but widely treated as a half-day or full holiday under collective bargaining agreements; Deutsche Börse is fully closed.December 31, 2025Working day
Singapore
Dec 31 Workday · SGX Early Close at 12:30Regular working day across the republic; Singapore Exchange (SGX) operates on an early-close schedule, terminating securities trading at 12:30 SGT.December 31, 2025Working day
Hong Kong
General holiday only
Dec 31 Workday · HKEX Half-Day Close at 12:00Standard working day for banks and civil service; Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) holds a half-day trading session ending at 12:00/12:10 HKT with no afternoon trading.December 31, 2025Working day
Taiwan
Dec 31 Workday · Observed Holiday in 2027Normally an ordinary working day; when Jan 1 falls on Saturday (as in 2028), Taiwanese holiday regulations schedule the substitute holiday to Friday Dec 31 (TWSE closed).December 31, 2025Working day
China
Dec 31 Workday · New Year Holiday Bridge AnchorStandard working day; trading on Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges proceeds on normal hours unless overlapped by the official State Council New Year holiday block.December 31, 2025Working day
South Korea
Dec 31 Workday · KRX Market Holiday (연말 휴장일)Government offices and general companies work; however, Korea Exchange (KRX) designates the last business day of the year as a market holiday with zero trading.December 31, 2025Working day
Sweden
New Year’s Eve (Nyårsafton · De Facto Holiday)Not legally a "red day" (röd dag), but the Annual Leave Act (Semesterlagen) equates Nyårsafton to a Sunday; banks, stock exchange, and corporate offices universally shut.December 31, 2025Working day
Norway
New Year’s Eve (Nyttårsaften · Half-Day Work)Commercial shops and municipal services are legally permitted to operate only until early afternoon (often 12:00 or 15:00); widespread collective agreements grant half-day off.December 31, 2025Working day
Brazil
Dec 31 Workday · Complete Bank Shutdown (Sem Expediente)Under Central Bank of Brazil (BACEN) regulations, commercial banks hold zero public customer hours on the final business day of the year for annual balancing; B3 exchange closed.December 31, 2025Working day
Chile
Dec 31 Workday · Mandatory Bank Closure (Cierre Bancario)Article 38 of Chile’s General Banking Act mandates that banks close their doors to the public on December 31 for balance sheet reconciliation, while other private businesses work.December 31, 2025Working day
Australia
Dec 31 Workday · SA/NT Part-Day Holiday & ASX Early CloseNot a national public holiday; however, South Australia and the Northern Territory legally mandate a part-day public holiday from 19:00 to midnight, and the ASX closes at 14:10 AEDT.December 31, 2025Working day
Canada
Dec 31 Workday · TSX Early Close at 13:00Not a statutory holiday federally or provincially; the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) terminates operations early at 13:00 ET.December 31, 2025Working day
Spain
Dec 31 Workday (Nochevieja)Standard working day throughout Spain; retail businesses and offices typically shut down by mid-afternoon for the traditional 12 Grapes of Luck celebration.December 31, 2025Working day
Italy
Dec 31 Workday (Notte di San Silvestro)Regular working day across all Italian regions; public services operate on standard schedules until evening family dinners (Cenone di Capodanno).December 31, 2025Working day

New Year's Eve 2026

Country / regionCalledDateDays off
Thailand
New Year's Eve (วันสิ้นปี)Official nationwide statutory public holiday designated by royal decree and cabinet resolution; links with New Year’s Day for a continuous national holiday break.December 31, 20261days
Philippines
Last Day of the YearProclaimed annually as a nationwide Special Non-Working Day by presidential decree (Proclamation 1427); schools and government close, "no work, no pay" applies to private staff unless stipulated.December 31, 20261days
Japan
Year-End Administrative Closure (年末年始閉庁)Under the Act on Administrative Organs’ Holidays (Act No. 91 of 1988), all public offices shut from Dec 29 to Jan 3; banks close, and Japan Exchange Group (JPX) has zero trading.December 31, 2026Working day
United States
Dec 31 Workday · Observed New Year Holiday in 2027Normally a regular working day; NYSE operates full hours. However, when Jan 1 falls on Saturday (as in 2028), 5 U.S.C. 6103(b) shifts the federal New Year holiday to Friday Dec 31 (full statutory shutdown).December 31, 2026Working day
United Kingdom
Dec 31 Regular Workday · LSE Early Close at 12:30Not a UK bank holiday; however, the London Stock Exchange (LSE) systematically enforces an early trading close at 12:30 GMT, and corporate offices universally close by mid-afternoon.December 31, 2026Working day
France
Dec 31 Regular Workday · Euronext Closes at 14:05Standard working day (Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre); Euronext Paris halts cash equity trading early at 14:05 CET, while shops and restaurants operate intensive evening hours.December 31, 2026Working day
Germany
Dec 31 Silvester · Frankfurt Exchange ClosedNot a federal statutory holiday (gesetzlicher Feiertag), but widely treated as a half-day or full holiday under collective bargaining agreements; Deutsche Börse is fully closed.December 31, 2026Working day
Singapore
Dec 31 Workday · SGX Early Close at 12:30Regular working day across the republic; Singapore Exchange (SGX) operates on an early-close schedule, terminating securities trading at 12:30 SGT.December 31, 2026Working day
Hong Kong
General holiday only
Dec 31 Workday · HKEX Half-Day Close at 12:00Standard working day for banks and civil service; Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) holds a half-day trading session ending at 12:00/12:10 HKT with no afternoon trading.December 31, 2026Working day
Taiwan
Dec 31 Workday · Observed Holiday in 2027Normally an ordinary working day; when Jan 1 falls on Saturday (as in 2028), Taiwanese holiday regulations schedule the substitute holiday to Friday Dec 31 (TWSE closed).December 31, 2026Working day
China
Dec 31 Workday · New Year Holiday Bridge AnchorStandard working day; trading on Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges proceeds on normal hours unless overlapped by the official State Council New Year holiday block.December 31, 2026Working day
South Korea
Dec 31 Workday · KRX Market Holiday (연말 휴장일)Government offices and general companies work; however, Korea Exchange (KRX) designates the last business day of the year as a market holiday with zero trading.December 31, 2026Working day
Sweden
New Year’s Eve (Nyårsafton · De Facto Holiday)Not legally a "red day" (röd dag), but the Annual Leave Act (Semesterlagen) equates Nyårsafton to a Sunday; banks, stock exchange, and corporate offices universally shut.December 31, 2026Working day
Norway
New Year’s Eve (Nyttårsaften · Half-Day Work)Commercial shops and municipal services are legally permitted to operate only until early afternoon (often 12:00 or 15:00); widespread collective agreements grant half-day off.December 31, 2026Working day
Brazil
Dec 31 Workday · Complete Bank Shutdown (Sem Expediente)Under Central Bank of Brazil (BACEN) regulations, commercial banks hold zero public customer hours on the final business day of the year for annual balancing; B3 exchange closed.December 31, 2026Working day
Chile
Dec 31 Workday · Mandatory Bank Closure (Cierre Bancario)Article 38 of Chile’s General Banking Act mandates that banks close their doors to the public on December 31 for balance sheet reconciliation, while other private businesses work.December 31, 2026Working day
Australia
Dec 31 Workday · SA/NT Part-Day Holiday & ASX Early CloseNot a national public holiday; however, South Australia and the Northern Territory legally mandate a part-day public holiday from 19:00 to midnight, and the ASX closes at 14:10 AEDT.December 31, 2026Working day
Canada
Dec 31 Workday · TSX Early Close at 13:00Not a statutory holiday federally or provincially; the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) terminates operations early at 13:00 ET.December 31, 2026Working day
Spain
Dec 31 Workday (Nochevieja)Standard working day throughout Spain; retail businesses and offices typically shut down by mid-afternoon for the traditional 12 Grapes of Luck celebration.December 31, 2026Working day
Italy
Dec 31 Workday (Notte di San Silvestro)Regular working day across all Italian regions; public services operate on standard schedules until evening family dinners (Cenone di Capodanno).December 31, 2026Working day

New Year's Eve 2027

Country / regionCalledDateDays off
Thailand
Provisional
New Year's Eve (วันสิ้นปี)Official nationwide statutory public holiday designated by royal decree and cabinet resolution; links with New Year’s Day for a continuous national holiday break.December 31, 20271days
Philippines
Last Day of the YearProclaimed annually as a nationwide Special Non-Working Day by presidential decree (Proclamation 1427); schools and government close, "no work, no pay" applies to private staff unless stipulated.December 31, 20271days
United States
Dec 31 Workday · Observed New Year Holiday in 2027Normally a regular working day; NYSE operates full hours. However, when Jan 1 falls on Saturday (as in 2028), 5 U.S.C. 6103(b) shifts the federal New Year holiday to Friday Dec 31 (full statutory shutdown).December 31, 20271days
Taiwan
Dec 31 Workday · Observed Holiday in 2027Normally an ordinary working day; when Jan 1 falls on Saturday (as in 2028), Taiwanese holiday regulations schedule the substitute holiday to Friday Dec 31 (TWSE closed).December 31, 20271days
Japan
Year-End Administrative Closure (年末年始閉庁)Under the Act on Administrative Organs’ Holidays (Act No. 91 of 1988), all public offices shut from Dec 29 to Jan 3; banks close, and Japan Exchange Group (JPX) has zero trading.December 31, 2027Working day
United Kingdom
Dec 31 Regular Workday · LSE Early Close at 12:30Not a UK bank holiday; however, the London Stock Exchange (LSE) systematically enforces an early trading close at 12:30 GMT, and corporate offices universally close by mid-afternoon.December 31, 2027Working day
France
Dec 31 Regular Workday · Euronext Closes at 14:05Standard working day (Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre); Euronext Paris halts cash equity trading early at 14:05 CET, while shops and restaurants operate intensive evening hours.December 31, 2027Working day
Germany
Dec 31 Silvester · Frankfurt Exchange ClosedNot a federal statutory holiday (gesetzlicher Feiertag), but widely treated as a half-day or full holiday under collective bargaining agreements; Deutsche Börse is fully closed.December 31, 2027Working day
Singapore
Dec 31 Workday · SGX Early Close at 12:30Regular working day across the republic; Singapore Exchange (SGX) operates on an early-close schedule, terminating securities trading at 12:30 SGT.December 31, 2027Working day
Hong Kong
General holiday only
Dec 31 Workday · HKEX Half-Day Close at 12:00Standard working day for banks and civil service; Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) holds a half-day trading session ending at 12:00/12:10 HKT with no afternoon trading.December 31, 2027Working day
China
Provisional
Dec 31 Workday · New Year Holiday Bridge AnchorStandard working day; trading on Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges proceeds on normal hours unless overlapped by the official State Council New Year holiday block.December 31, 2027Working day
South Korea
Dec 31 Workday · KRX Market Holiday (연말 휴장일)Government offices and general companies work; however, Korea Exchange (KRX) designates the last business day of the year as a market holiday with zero trading.December 31, 2027Working day
Sweden
New Year’s Eve (Nyårsafton · De Facto Holiday)Not legally a "red day" (röd dag), but the Annual Leave Act (Semesterlagen) equates Nyårsafton to a Sunday; banks, stock exchange, and corporate offices universally shut.December 31, 2027Working day
Norway
New Year’s Eve (Nyttårsaften · Half-Day Work)Commercial shops and municipal services are legally permitted to operate only until early afternoon (often 12:00 or 15:00); widespread collective agreements grant half-day off.December 31, 2027Working day
Brazil
Dec 31 Workday · Complete Bank Shutdown (Sem Expediente)Under Central Bank of Brazil (BACEN) regulations, commercial banks hold zero public customer hours on the final business day of the year for annual balancing; B3 exchange closed.December 31, 2027Working day
Chile
Dec 31 Workday · Mandatory Bank Closure (Cierre Bancario)Article 38 of Chile’s General Banking Act mandates that banks close their doors to the public on December 31 for balance sheet reconciliation, while other private businesses work.December 31, 2027Working day
Australia
Dec 31 Workday · SA/NT Part-Day Holiday & ASX Early CloseNot a national public holiday; however, South Australia and the Northern Territory legally mandate a part-day public holiday from 19:00 to midnight, and the ASX closes at 14:10 AEDT.December 31, 2027Working day
Canada
Dec 31 Workday · TSX Early Close at 13:00Not a statutory holiday federally or provincially; the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) terminates operations early at 13:00 ET.December 31, 2027Working day
Spain
Provisional
Dec 31 Workday (Nochevieja)Standard working day throughout Spain; retail businesses and offices typically shut down by mid-afternoon for the traditional 12 Grapes of Luck celebration.December 31, 2027Working day
Italy
Dec 31 Workday (Notte di San Silvestro)Regular working day across all Italian regions; public services operate on standard schedules until evening family dinners (Cenone di Capodanno).December 31, 2027Working day

Rows marked provisional show only the dates already fixed. Where a government sets the length of the break by annual decree — mainland China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia — the full arrangement has not been published for that year yet, so treat those day counts as a floor and any blank as "not announced", not as a working day.

New Year's Eve 2028

Country / regionCalledDateDays off
Thailand
Provisional
New Year's Eve (วันสิ้นปี)Official nationwide statutory public holiday designated by royal decree and cabinet resolution; links with New Year’s Day for a continuous national holiday break.December 31, 20281days
Philippines
Provisional
Last Day of the YearProclaimed annually as a nationwide Special Non-Working Day by presidential decree (Proclamation 1427); schools and government close, "no work, no pay" applies to private staff unless stipulated.December 31, 20281days
Japan
Year-End Administrative Closure (年末年始閉庁)Under the Act on Administrative Organs’ Holidays (Act No. 91 of 1988), all public offices shut from Dec 29 to Jan 3; banks close, and Japan Exchange Group (JPX) has zero trading.December 31, 2028Working day
United States
Dec 31 Workday · Observed New Year Holiday in 2027Normally a regular working day; NYSE operates full hours. However, when Jan 1 falls on Saturday (as in 2028), 5 U.S.C. 6103(b) shifts the federal New Year holiday to Friday Dec 31 (full statutory shutdown).December 31, 2028Working day
United Kingdom
Dec 31 Regular Workday · LSE Early Close at 12:30Not a UK bank holiday; however, the London Stock Exchange (LSE) systematically enforces an early trading close at 12:30 GMT, and corporate offices universally close by mid-afternoon.December 31, 2028Working day
France
Dec 31 Regular Workday · Euronext Closes at 14:05Standard working day (Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre); Euronext Paris halts cash equity trading early at 14:05 CET, while shops and restaurants operate intensive evening hours.December 31, 2028Working day
Germany
Dec 31 Silvester · Frankfurt Exchange ClosedNot a federal statutory holiday (gesetzlicher Feiertag), but widely treated as a half-day or full holiday under collective bargaining agreements; Deutsche Börse is fully closed.December 31, 2028Working day
Singapore
Provisional
Dec 31 Workday · SGX Early Close at 12:30Regular working day across the republic; Singapore Exchange (SGX) operates on an early-close schedule, terminating securities trading at 12:30 SGT.December 31, 2028Working day
Hong Kong
ProvisionalGeneral holiday only
Dec 31 Workday · HKEX Half-Day Close at 12:00Standard working day for banks and civil service; Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) holds a half-day trading session ending at 12:00/12:10 HKT with no afternoon trading.December 31, 2028Working day
Taiwan
Provisional
Dec 31 Workday · Observed Holiday in 2027Normally an ordinary working day; when Jan 1 falls on Saturday (as in 2028), Taiwanese holiday regulations schedule the substitute holiday to Friday Dec 31 (TWSE closed).December 31, 2028Working day
China
Provisional
Dec 31 Workday · New Year Holiday Bridge AnchorStandard working day; trading on Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges proceeds on normal hours unless overlapped by the official State Council New Year holiday block.December 31, 2028Working day
South Korea
Provisional
Dec 31 Workday · KRX Market Holiday (연말 휴장일)Government offices and general companies work; however, Korea Exchange (KRX) designates the last business day of the year as a market holiday with zero trading.December 31, 2028Working day
Sweden
New Year’s Eve (Nyårsafton · De Facto Holiday)Not legally a "red day" (röd dag), but the Annual Leave Act (Semesterlagen) equates Nyårsafton to a Sunday; banks, stock exchange, and corporate offices universally shut.December 31, 2028Working day
Norway
New Year’s Eve (Nyttårsaften · Half-Day Work)Commercial shops and municipal services are legally permitted to operate only until early afternoon (often 12:00 or 15:00); widespread collective agreements grant half-day off.December 31, 2028Working day
Brazil
Dec 31 Workday · Complete Bank Shutdown (Sem Expediente)Under Central Bank of Brazil (BACEN) regulations, commercial banks hold zero public customer hours on the final business day of the year for annual balancing; B3 exchange closed.December 31, 2028Working day
Chile
Dec 31 Workday · Mandatory Bank Closure (Cierre Bancario)Article 38 of Chile’s General Banking Act mandates that banks close their doors to the public on December 31 for balance sheet reconciliation, while other private businesses work.December 31, 2028Working day
Australia
Provisional
Dec 31 Workday · SA/NT Part-Day Holiday & ASX Early CloseNot a national public holiday; however, South Australia and the Northern Territory legally mandate a part-day public holiday from 19:00 to midnight, and the ASX closes at 14:10 AEDT.December 31, 2028Working day
Canada
Dec 31 Workday · TSX Early Close at 13:00Not a statutory holiday federally or provincially; the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) terminates operations early at 13:00 ET.December 31, 2028Working day
Spain
Provisional
Dec 31 Workday (Nochevieja)Standard working day throughout Spain; retail businesses and offices typically shut down by mid-afternoon for the traditional 12 Grapes of Luck celebration.December 31, 2028Working day
Italy
Dec 31 Workday (Notte di San Silvestro)Regular working day across all Italian regions; public services operate on standard schedules until evening family dinners (Cenone di Capodanno).December 31, 2028Working day

Rows marked provisional show only the dates already fixed. Where a government sets the length of the break by annual decree — mainland China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia — the full arrangement has not been published for that year yet, so treat those day counts as a floor and any blank as "not announced", not as a working day.

Where Dec 31 Is an Official Statutory Holiday

Thailand and the Philippines represent the clearest examples of statutory New Year’s Eve holidays. In Thailand, December 31 is an official public holiday by royal decree, coupling with January 1 to guarantee a national holiday bridge. In the Philippines, presidential proclamations designate "Last Day of the Year" as a nationwide Special Non-Working Day, closing public institutions and schools.

Japan’s Statutory Nenmatsu Nenshi Closure (Dec 29 – Jan 3)

In Japan, December 31 is not an individual "National Holiday" (国民の祝日), but it is legally closed under the Act on Holidays of Administrative Organs. All municipal offices, national ministries, tax bureaus, courts, and regional banks shut their public counters entirely from December 29 through January 3. The Tokyo Stock Exchange (JPX) has zero trading on December 31.

Global Stock Market Hours on December 31 (Early Close Schedule)

While offices work in London, Paris, and Singapore, capital markets observe strict early trading sessions on December 31: the London Stock Exchange (LSE) closes at 12:30 GMT; Euronext (Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels) halts cash equities at 14:05 CET; Singapore Exchange (SGX) terminates at 12:30 SGT; Hong Kong Exchanges (HKEX) operates a half-day session closing at 12:00/12:10 HKT; and Australia (ASX) closes early at 14:10 AEDT. By contrast, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) runs standard full trading hours unless superseded by an observed holiday.

The Friday "Observed" Exception: When Dec 31 Becomes a Holiday

A unique calendar phenomenon occurs whenever January 1 falls on a Saturday (such as New Year’s Day 2028). Under US federal law (5 U.S.C. 6103(b)), when a public holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is observed as the legal holiday. Consequently, Friday, December 31, 2027 becomes "New Year’s Day (observed)", giving federal employees, courts, and financial markets a complete three-day weekend. Taiwan implements a matching rule.

Latin American & Nordic Bank Closures on Dec 31

Even in jurisdictions where ordinary retail trade operates, banking sectors often halt. In Brazil, Central Bank regulations mandate that financial institutions conduct zero public business on the year’s final working day for annual closing reconciliations. In Chile, Article 38 of the General Banking Act enforces the annual "Cierre Bancario". In Sweden and Norway, collective agreements and trade customs universally treat December 31 as a de facto half or full day off.

Go deeper

Frequently asked questions

Is New Year’s Eve a public holiday in the United States and UK?

No. Neither the United States federal government nor the United Kingdom designates December 31 as a statutory public holiday or bank holiday. Government offices, postal services, and businesses operate normally, though many private employers grant early dismissal. The sole exception occurs when January 1 is a Saturday, causing Friday December 31 to become an observed holiday under US federal law.

What time does the stock market close on New Year’s Eve?

Most major international exchanges close early on December 31: London (LSE) closes at 12:30 GMT; Euronext (Paris/Amsterdam) closes at 14:05 CET; Singapore (SGX) closes at 12:30 SGT; Hong Kong (HKEX) holds a morning-only half session closing at 12:00 HKT; Australia (ASX) closes at 14:10 AEDT; and Tokyo (JPX) is completely closed all day. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) runs standard full hours (closing at 16:00 ET).

Why is December 31 a statutory holiday in Thailand and the Philippines?

Both countries treat the transition between years as a foundational family holiday. In Thailand, royal decrees establishing Wan Sin Pi (วันสิ้นปี) guarantee that citizens traveling from Bangkok to regional home provinces have time for family reunions ahead of New Year merit-making. In the Philippines, presidential proclamations designate the Last Day of the Year to facilitate traditional celebrations alongside Rizal Day (Dec 30).

How does Japan’s Nenmatsu Nenshi administrative shutdown work?

Under Japanese Law No. 91 of 1988, administrative organs must close from December 29 through January 3. While hospitals maintain emergency wards and public transit runs holiday timetables, public counters for city halls, vehicle licensing centers, national taxation, and regular branch banking shut down completely. Most private corporations follow suit, granting corporate year-end holidays.

Can December 31 become a paid day off because of New Year’s Day?

Yes. In countries that implement "Friday-before-Saturday" holiday substitution (notably the United States under 5 U.S.C. 6103(b) and Taiwan), whenever January 1 falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday (December 31) legally becomes the paid observed holiday for government staff and banks. This occurred most recently on Friday, December 31, 2021, and will next recur on Friday, December 31, 2027.

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