Why book a coach for the Christmas markets?
The easiest way for a group to visit the Christmas markets in Kilkenny, Waterford or Dublin is to hire a private coach. Everyone travels together, nobody has to drive or find parking in a busy city centre, and you are dropped close to the market and collected when you are ready to go home.
JJ Kavanagh Coach Hire has been moving Irish groups since 1919. Our fleet of 130 Fáilte Ireland-approved coaches seats 30 to 53 passengers, so we can take anything from a small club outing of 15 people to a full company party. Every coach has free Wi-Fi, USB charging at each seat, an on-board toilet and plenty of room for shopping bags.
Whether it is a staff night out, a school or college trip, a sports club social, a ladies’ day or a family get-together, a coach turns a festive day out into part of the fun rather than a logistics headache.
Kilkenny Christmas Market (Yulefest) by coach
Kilkenny’s Yulefest Christmas Market runs from 28 November to 23 December 2026 on The Parade, right in front of Kilkenny Castle. The stalls open at weekends, with extra market days on 21, 22 and 23 December.
Alongside the wooden huts selling local crafts and festive food, Yulefest brings live music, a light and sound show, Santa visits and family entertainment to the medieval city. It is compact and walkable, which makes it ideal for groups: drop-off on the edge of the centre, a few hours of browsing, a meal in one of the city’s pubs and restaurants, then everyone back on board.
JJ Kavanagh is a Kilkenny company, with our depot in Urlingford, so we know the city’s roads, drop-off points and festive traffic well. Kilkenny is an easy day trip by coach from Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Carlow and the wider South East.
Tip: weekend dates fill up fast with clubs and office parties. If your group can go on a Friday evening or one of the 21–23 December weekdays, you will find it quieter.
Waterford Winterval by coach
Winterval, one of Ireland’s best-loved Christmas festivals, runs in Waterford from 13 November to 23 December 2026, opening on weekends. Market dates are 13–15, 20–22 and 27–29 November, then 4–6, 10–13 and 17–23 December.
The main market fills the Cultural Quarter around George’s Street, Gladstone Street and O’Connell Street. Highlights this year include Santa’s Grotto in the 12th-century caverns beneath the Medieval Museum and The Hive, a new 1,200-capacity venue for concerts and comedy. After dark, Winterval Illuminates projects light shows onto the buildings of Cathedral Square.
Because the best of Winterval happens in the evening, a coach makes particular sense here: your group can stay for the lights and a meal without anyone worrying about the drive home. We run private coach hire in Waterford all year round and can collect from Kilkenny, Carlow, Wexford, Tipperary, Cork or Dublin.
Tip: pair Winterval with a stop on the Waterford Greenway or the House of Waterford Crystal to turn it into a full day out, or add a hotel night for a weekend break.
Dublin Christmas markets by coach
Dublin’s biggest Christmas market in 2026 is TwinkleTown, which runs at Smithfield Square from 20 November to 31 December and at a second site in St Patrick’s Park from 27 November to 23 December. The long-running Dublin Castle market is not going ahead this year and is expected back in 2027.
A Dublin Christmas day out works best when nobody has to drive. City-centre parking in December is expensive and scarce, and traffic around Smithfield and the quays is heavy at weekends. With a coach, your group is dropped close to the market, free to enjoy Grafton Street’s lights, a show or dinner, and collected at an agreed time and place.
Tip: combine a market visit with a panto at the Gaiety, a concert at the 3Arena or a festive dinner. See our guide on getting to the 3Arena without the parking hassle.
Christmas markets abroad: we can help with that too
If your group has its heart set on a Christmas market overseas, JJ Kavanagh can handle the transport at both ends and beyond. Our coaches already tour the UK and Europe for international tour operators, and our sales team can help with itineraries, accommodation and ferry crossings.
How we can support a trip abroad:
- Airport transfers. We collect your group from home, the office or the clubhouse and drop everyone at Dublin, Cork or Shannon Airport, then meet you on your return. See our airport coach hire page.
- Ferry and coach trips to the UK. Take the coach on the ferry from Dublin Port or Rosslare and travel together to markets such as Manchester, Liverpool, Chester, Edinburgh or York, with no luggage limits and no connections to miss.
- Belfast by road. Belfast’s Christmas market at City Hall is an easy coach day trip or overnight from Dublin and the South East, with no flights needed.
- European city breaks. For groups flying to markets in Germany, Austria, Belgium or Prague, we can arrange your Irish transfers and advise on extended touring options.
Tell us where you want to go, how many are travelling and your dates, and we will put a plan together.
Why groups choose coach hire for festive trips
- Nobody draws the short straw. No designated driver, so everyone can enjoy a mulled wine or a festive pint.
- No parking stress. Skip expensive city-centre car parks and December traffic queues.
- Everyone arrives together. No lost cars, no waiting around, and the fun starts as soon as you board.
- Room for the shopping. Generous luggage space means gifts and hampers travel home safely.
- Comfort for the journey. Free Wi-Fi, USB charging at every seat, reclining seats and an on-board toilet.
- Better value per head. Split across a full coach, the cost often works out cheaper than trains, taxis or fuel and parking.
- Lower emissions. One coach replaces a convoy of cars, and our fleet runs on Euro VI engines.
- Professional drivers. Experienced, friendly drivers who know Ireland’s cities and festive drop-off points.
How to book your Christmas market coach
- Pick your market and date. Weekends in December are the busiest, so have a back-up date in mind.
- Count your group. Our coaches seat 30 to 53, and we take bookings for groups of 15 or more.
- Choose your pick-up points. We can collect from one location or several along the route.
- Decide on timings. Think about whether you want to stay for evening lights, a meal or a show.
- Request a quote. Use our quick quote form or call +353 818 333 222.
- Book early. December is one of the busiest times of year for coach hire, with office parties, school trips and club outings all competing for the same weekends. The sooner you book, the better your choice of date and coach.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Kilkenny Christmas market in 2026?
Yulefest Kilkenny’s Christmas Market runs from 28 November to 23 December 2026 on The Parade beside Kilkenny Castle. It opens at weekends, with extra market days on 21, 22 and 23 December.
When is Waterford Winterval 2026?
Winterval runs from 13 November to 23 December 2026, opening mainly on weekends, with daily opening from 17 to 23 December. The market is in Waterford’s Cultural Quarter.
Is there a Christmas market at Dublin Castle in 2026?
No. The Dublin Castle Christmas market is not running in 2026. Dublin’s main market this year is TwinkleTown at Smithfield Square (20 November to 31 December) and St Patrick’s Park (27 November to 23 December).
How many people do I need to hire a coach?
JJ Kavanagh takes coach hire bookings for groups of 15 or more. Our coaches seat between 30 and 53 passengers.
Can a coach collect from more than one pick-up point?
Yes. We can arrange multiple pick-ups along the route, which suits groups spread across a town or county.
Can JJ Kavanagh help with Christmas market trips abroad?
Yes. We provide group transfers to Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports, coach-and-ferry trips to the UK, and can advise on extended touring in Europe.
How far in advance should I book a Christmas coach?
As early as possible. December weekends are in high demand, so booking several weeks ahead gives you the best choice of dates and vehicles.
Plan your festive group trip with JJ Kavanagh
From Yulefest in Kilkenny to Winterval in Waterford, TwinkleTown in Dublin and markets further afield, JJ Kavanagh gets your group there and home again in comfort. Ireland’s largest privately owned coach operator, 100% Irish owned since 1919, with 130 luxury coaches ready to go.
Get your free quote today, call +353 818 333 222 or email coachhire@jjkavanagh.ie.
