Set up your 2026 trading calendar
The B3 trading calendar for 2026 follows the standard Monday-to-Friday schedule, with trading hours running from 10:00 a.m. to 4:55 p.m. Brasília time (UTC-3). To plan effectively, you must account for the specific holidays and early closures that will interrupt this routine. The exchange suspends all trading, registration, clearing, and settlement activities on designated public holidays, as outlined in Circular Letter CL 003-2026.
The most significant disruption in early 2026 will be the Carnival period. Trading is suspended on February 12, 2026, for Ash Wednesday, and the market remains closed for the Carnival holiday on February 16, 2026. These are not early closures; the exchange does not open at all on these days. You must ensure all positions are managed before the February 11 close.
Other key holidays to mark in your trading journal include New Year’s Day (January 1), Tiradentes (April 21), Labor Day (May 1), Independence Day (September 7), Our Lady of Aparecida (October 12), All Souls’ Day (November 2), and Proclamation of the Republic (November 15). Additionally, Christmas Day falls on a Friday, December 25, 2026, resulting in a full market closure.
For a complete, official list of holidays and any potential errata or adjustments, refer to the B3 Trading Calendar page. The exchange occasionally issues updates regarding specific settlement procedures, so verifying the latest circulars is essential for high-stakes positions.
Adjust for daylight saving time shifts
Brazil does not observe Daylight Saving Time (DST), but B3 aligns its trading hours with US market shifts to maintain liquidity parity for cross-border products. This creates a temporary one-hour shift in B3’s closing time twice a year. Traders must adjust their schedules to avoid missing the final hour of trading or attempting to execute orders after the market has already closed.
The adjustment occurs on two specific dates in 2026:
When US markets move to Daylight Saving Time, B3 shifts its closing time one hour later. The standard session closes at 6:00 PM (Brasília Time) instead of the usual 5:00 PM. After-market trading for stocks extends from 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM. This shift ensures B3 remains open during the overlap with US pre-market activity.
When US markets return to Standard Time, B3 reverts to its regular schedule. The standard session closes at 5:00 PM (Brasília Time). After-market trading for stocks operates from 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM. This change reduces the overlap with US trading hours, so liquidity in the final hour may decrease compared to the March adjustment.
To prevent scheduling errors, mark these two dates on your calendar well in advance. The shift is consistent every year, but the exact Gregorian date changes. Always check the official B3 circulars issued a few weeks prior to confirm the specific dates for the upcoming year.
Verify settlement and clearing windows
Understanding the distinction between trading suspension and settlement delays is critical for managing liquidity during the 2026 calendar. When B3 suspends trading, the exchange halts the execution of orders, but the clearinghouse and central securities depository (CSD2) may continue processing existing positions. This distinction determines when capital is actually released or when new orders can be placed.
For example, CSD2 trading is suspended on February 12, 2026, due to Carnival. On such days, no new trades can be confirmed, and settlement processes for prior days are paused. This means that liquidity tied up in unsettled trades remains frozen until the market resumes full operations. Traders must account for these delays in their cash flow projections to avoid margin calls or failed settlements.
The B3 Clearinghouse operates independently of the trading floor during these windows. While the exchange is closed for trading, the clearinghouse may still process risk assessments and margin adjustments for active positions. However, no new transactions are recorded, and settlement cycles are effectively paused. This creates a gap where positions are held but not actively traded or settled.
To navigate this, verify the specific holiday adjustments in Circular Letter CL 003-2026. The document details not only trading hours but also the precise windows for registration, clearing, and settlement. Align your liquidity management with these official dates, as delays in settlement can impact your ability to fund new positions or withdraw capital.
check for new product launches
B3 is introducing six new event contracts on April 27, 2026, marking a significant expansion into binary-style derivatives that allow investors to bet on specific future outcomes. These contracts differ fundamentally from traditional equities or standard futures, requiring traders to adjust their compliance and margin setups before the launch date.
The introduction of these products represents a structural shift in the Latin American derivatives landscape. Because event contracts are settled based on the verification of discrete events rather than standard market prices, the risk profile and margin requirements will likely differ from existing B3 offerings. Traders and institutions must review the specific circulars released by B3 to understand the new margining models and settlement procedures.
For those already active in B3’s futures market, the primary task is to verify whether existing accounts are enabled for event contracts or if separate approvals are required. Given the high-stakes nature of these instruments, ensure that your broker or clearing member has communicated the specific technical and compliance updates needed to trade these assets effectively starting April 27.
Common b3 trading: what to check next
Investors and traders navigating the Brazilian market need precise details on operating hours, market structure, and calendar adjustments. The following section addresses high-volume queries regarding B3’s 2026 schedule, trading sessions, and operational specifics.
For detailed holiday schedules and specific session adjustments, always consult the official B3 calendar circulars released prior to the fiscal year.
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