London's Christmas markets are already open
London's Christmas markets are already open for 2026, and more open this week. From the Southbank Centre chalets under Hungerford Bridge to Kingston's Ancient Market Place, groups from London and Essex are planning festive evenings, office nights out and family days out — and the hardest part is often getting everyone there and home again. Private Christmas market coach hire in London means one pickup, a drop-off close to the stalls, and a warm vehicle waiting when you are ready to leave.
Christmas markets you can visit this season
Several well-known markets are already under way, with others opening later in November. The dates below are taken from each organiser's official listing; always check before you travel, as hours can change around Christmas and New Year.
Southbank Centre Winter Market is open now on Queen's Walk, under Hungerford Bridge, from 2 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Stalls run from 11am to 10pm and the bars until 11pm. It is closed on Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
Winter by the River has returned to London Bridge City, between London Bridge and Tower Bridge, from 10 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. It is open daily from 11am to 10pm, with shorter hours on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, and is closed on Christmas Day. Alongside the stalls, the official programme includes The Clubhouse, a two-storey riverside pop-up, and a curling venue on London Bridge City Pier.
Christmas in Trafalgar Square, organised by Underbelly, is listed as running from 6 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. It sits in the middle of the West End, so it pairs easily with a meal or a show, and is a straightforward drop-off for coach hire around Westminster.
Covent Garden's festive season begins on 12 November 2026 with the annual lights switch-on. From that date, The Theatre of Christmas runs across the neighbourhood, with the 50ft tree on the West Piazza and the familiar gold bells and baubles on the Market Building. Daily snowfall on the Piazza is scheduled from 4 to 31 December, on the hour from midday until 9pm. If your evening is centred on the Piazza, we can arrange coach or minibus hire to Covent Garden.
Kingston Christmas Market opens on 12 November 2026 in the Ancient Market Place (KT1 1JS) and runs until 3 January 2027, closing on Christmas Day. It is a practical destination for groups coming from south-west London, Surrey or the M25, without travelling into the West End. The organisers also publish coach parking and drop-off guidance for group visits.
King's Cross Winter Market opens a little later, from 26 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, in Granary Square. Entry to the markets is free. The Winter Market itself is closed on 25 and 26 December and on 1 January. We regularly drop groups for coach hire to King's Cross.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, London's largest Christmas event, opens on 19 November 2026 and runs to 3 January 2027, closed on Christmas Day. Tickets must be booked for a specific date and arrival hour. We have a separate guide to coach and minibus hire for Winter Wonderland if that is your main destination.
Why a private coach is easier than driving or the Tube
Central London sits inside both the Congestion Charge and the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking near the busiest markets is scarce through December. With a private coach or minibus day trip, your group is dropped close to the market rather than walking in from a distant car park on a cold evening, and you are not the one dealing with city-centre parking or a designated driver.
The Tube is fine for two or three people. It is less enjoyable with fifteen colleagues, shopping bags, children, or anyone who has had a drink. With private hire, you agree a pickup point — the office, a school, a pub or a residential street — and everyone travels together.
One pickup, a drop-off close to the stalls, and a warm coach waiting when the group is ready to go home.
Office Christmas nights out
Riverside markets are a natural choice for a company Christmas outing: one collection from the office, a few hours at the stalls and a bar, and a booked return when the evening winds down. Mid-size coaches in our 33-37 seater and 41-49 seater ranges are a comfortable fit for larger teams; smaller departments often prefer a 16-17 or 19-20 seater minibus so the group can stay on one vehicle.
If you are combining a market visit with a restaurant or a West End show, we can plan the drop-off and collection around your booking. For a wider look at company travel, see our corporate coach hire page.
Family days out and school groups
A midweek visit is usually quieter than a December Saturday. Minibuses work well for extended families and for school groups in the run-up to the holidays. Tell us if you need a vehicle with easier access, and we will match the trip to the right size from our fleet.
Most of the markets above are free to enter, which keeps a family or school day simple — you pay only for what you eat, drink or buy, plus the coach. Winter Wonderland is the main exception, because entry is ticketed.
Which vehicle to book
For a household or a small team, a 16-17 or 19-20 seater minibus is usually enough. Larger social groups, year groups and office parties typically move up to a 24-33, 33-37 or 41-49 seater coach. For very large parties we also have 53-57 seater coaches, so the whole group can travel on one vehicle rather than splitting across several cars.
Every hire includes a professional, DVSA-licensed driver.
Pickups from London, Ilford and Essex
Tigers Transport is based at 469 Cranbrook Road, Ilford, IG2 6EW, and we regularly collect groups across London, central London, Ilford and Essex. Tell us where your group is meeting and which market you want to visit, and we will plan a single collection and a return at the time you set.
Book before December weekends fill up
December Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest period for festive group travel, and vehicles are reserved well in advance. If you already have a date, tell us your group size, pickup point and destination market, and we will come back with a clear quote. You can request one online or call us on 0208 050 5180.
If you would rather make a longer trip of it, we also arrange group coach hire to the Christmas markets in Belgium and shopping days at Bicester Village.
Planning a Christmas market trip?
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