— Holiday events
Holiday Party Coffee & Hot Chocolate Catering
A coffee cart or hot chocolate bar turns a holiday party into something people talk about: peppermint mochas, gingerbread lattes, rich hot chocolate for the kids and spiced cider for anyone skipping caffeine. Here’s how to book one for an office party, a Christmas market or a winter event, and why December dates go early.
Office holiday parties
A coffee bar works at a lunchtime or afternoon party where an open bar doesn’t fit, and alongside the bar at an evening one, when guests want something warm late in the night. Give each guest a drink or two in the quote, and add a hot chocolate station if families are invited.
Ask about a seasonal menu with your company’s name on one drink, and branded cups if you want them in photos. Printed cups take a few weeks, so ask in November.
Christmas markets, tree lightings and winter events
At markets and public events, many carts sell to guests directly rather than charging the host, so ask whether they charge a fee to attend or want a spot and their own sales. Hot chocolate and cider sell fastest when it’s cold, and vendors at multi-weekend markets often plan their menu around them.
Outdoors, ask what power they need, whether they bring a tent and heaters, and what happens if the weather turns.
Book early for December
December weekends and the two weeks before Christmas fill first. Six to eight weeks ahead is comfortable; for a Friday or Saturday in mid-December, earlier is better. If your date is taken, ask about a weekday or an earlier start, which is often easier to get.
What it costs
Most 2-hour bookings cost $700 to $1,800, about $1,000 on average. Guest count, extra hours, travel and custom branding move the price most. See prices by region and event type.
Carts that serve hot chocolate
Gondolier Coffee is Minneapolis' premier mobile coffee cart and espresso bar catering company, serving weddings, corporate events, and celebrations across the Twin Cities. With over 1,600 five-star reviews and a client list that includes the Minnesota Twins, Target, Marriott, Apple, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Delta Airlines, they bring professional baristas and handcrafted espresso drinks to events of 50 to 1,500 guests. Their mobile espresso bar sets up in just a 5x5 ft space with a standard outlet, indoors or outdoors, anywhere in the Twin Cities metro. Service areas include Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Plymouth, Woodbury, Maple Grove, Blaine, Lakeville, Eagan, Burnsville, Eden Prairie, Coon Rapids, Apple Valley, Minnetonka, Edina, Saint Louis Park, Shakopee, and Maplewood. Menu includes classic espresso drinks, custom seasonal specialty beverages, and bottled lattes tailored to your event theme and guest preferences.
From $NaN
Since 2018, Caffè Aronne has been helping New York's leading companies, luxury brands, and discerning hosts create memorable experiences through exceptional coffee, food, and hospitality. What began as a neighborhood café has grown into one of NYC's most trusted catering partners, serving everyone from Fortune 500 companies and renowned fashion houses to intimate private celebrations. Our difference isn't just what's on the menu—it's our commitment to flawless execution. Every event is staffed by professional baristas and hospitality specialists who understand that great service leaves a lasting impression. Whether it's a mobile espresso bar for a corporate activation, breakfast catering for a board meeting, or coffee service for hundreds of guests, we bring the same attention to detail that has earned us the trust of some of New York's most respected organizations. With thousands of successful events, years of experience, and a reputation built on consistency, reliability, and quality, Caffè Aronne delivers more than catering—we create experiences your guests will remember long after the last cup is served. Trusted by leading brands. Crafted for every guest. Serving New York since 2018.
$1,200 - $1,900
Bloom Coffee Cart is Nashville's go-to mobile espresso bar service, built for high-impact events. Founded by Jenna and Josh Jackley, hand-built during the pandemic. Professional baristas serve lattes, cappuccinos, iced chais, bottled cold brew, and hot chocolate with capacity for 300+ drinks per hour. Multiple mobile setups available to match event scale and style. 10% off multi-cart bookings of 4+ hours, 10-25% off contracted monthly recurring events.
Coselffee brings an interactive specialty coffee experience to corporate events, brand activations, conferences, product launches, weddings, and private events. We serve freshly made espresso drinks from our mobile coffee bar and print full-color logos, photos, monograms, names, and custom designs directly on cappuccinos and lattes. Our coffee is custom roasted for each event, and our menu includes espresso, cappuccino, latte, Americano, decaf, hot chocolate, and alternative milk options. Based in New York City and available for events throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and surrounding areas.
$1,500 - $3,500 per event
Holy City Cafecito Cart is a Charleston, South Carolina–based mobile specialty coffee catering company bringing a luxury coffeehouse experience directly to your event. We specialize in handcrafted espresso drinks, hot and iced lattes, cold brew, matcha, and customizable signature beverages, all served from our beautifully designed mobile coffee carts by professional baristas. From weddings and corporate events to grand openings, employee appreciation celebrations, private parties, and brand activations, we create memorable coffee experiences tailored to every occasion. We offer unlimited beverage packages, personalized menus, custom-branded cups, branded coffee carts, and even latte art featuring your company logo, making every event feel unique. At Holy City Cafecito Cart, we believe coffee is more than just a drink—it’s an experience that brings people together. Our goal is to elevate every gathering with exceptional coffee, warm hospitality, and thoughtful details. Proudly serving Charleston, South Carolina, and surrounding areas, with travel available for events throughout the Southeast.
$700
Clique Coffee Catering Co is a mobile espresso and coffee bar based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It works only at events and has no retail café. Its baristas make espresso drinks such as cappuccinos, cortados, lattes and Americanos, along with chai and its Magic Hot Chocolate. Batch-brewed coffee is also available, made from beans the company describes as locally roasted and direct trade. Other options include hot tea, an Italian soda bar, affogatos and espresso-based mocktails, and they can serve decaf and almond or oat milk. They cater weddings and corporate, non-profit, school and personal events. The cart needs an 8x8 space and a dedicated 110V outlet, and they can add a custom cart sign, cups and menu. Their service areas cover West, Northern, Southwest and East/Southeast Michigan. They also rent out the Clique Space, a Grand Rapids venue for groups of 30 or fewer.
La Vita Espresso is a full-service coffee catering company and one of the Twin Cities' original coffee cart caterers, serving Minneapolis, St. Paul, greater Minnesota and now Milwaukee. Its espresso bars are handmade from reclaimed wood, and it offers lattes, cappuccinos and mochas, nitro cold brew on tap, hot cocoa bars and custom latte art for weddings, corporate breakfasts and private events.
Chaos and Caffeine Coffee Co LLC is a mobile coffee business based in Hampton, Virginia. Its menu is built around espresso drinks, including lattes, cappuccinos, cortados, americanos, latte macchiatos and shaken espresso. Drip coffee, cold brew, chai, matcha and hot cocoa are also on offer. The menu goes well beyond coffee, with dirty sodas, energy refreshers, lemonade, blended lattes, mochas and creams, plus hot and iced teas. Food is available too, from breakfast sandwiches and bagels to muffins, cookies and lemon cake. The menu lists a per-person catering option for groups.
Tia Erika's is a mobile coffee business serving Delaware and the surrounding area. I started it after 25 years of community work because I believe a good cup of coffee brings people together. Every event should feel warm, welcoming, and personal. Our trailer serves specialty lattes, espresso, yerba mate drinks, refreshers, matcha, and chai for corporate events, employee appreciation days, weddings, festivals, and community celebrations of 25–250 guests. For indoor events, our mobile coffee cart launches this winter. We also offer drop-off coffee boxes for meetings. Great coffee, friendly service, and the kind of care that makes your guests feel at home.
From $575 (50 drinks and 2 hours of service)
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Common questions
How much does a coffee cart cost for a holiday party?
Most 2-hour bookings cost $700 to $1,800, about $1,000 on average. Guest count, extra hours, travel and custom branding move the price most. December dates book up fast, and some vendors charge more for peak weekends; a weekday party is often easier to book and can cost less.
Can a coffee cart serve hot chocolate and cider too?
Yes. Most carts make hot chocolate, and many add chai, steamers and spiced cider in winter. Some vendors run a dedicated hot chocolate bar with toppings. Ask for a seasonal menu when you request quotes.
How far ahead should I book for a December event?
Six to eight weeks ahead is comfortable, and earlier for Friday and Saturday dates in mid-December, which go first.
Do carts work at outdoor Christmas markets?
Many do, and some prefer markets where they sell to guests directly. Check what power and shelter they need, and whether they charge the organizer a fee or just need a spot.
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