Amsterdam Light Festival Dates 

What is an Amsterdam Light Festival Boat Tour?

An Amsterdam Light Festival Boat Tour takes you through Amsterdam’s illuminated canals to experience the festival’s light artworks from the water. You can join a shared 90-minute tour or charter your own private boat for a fully tailored experience.

How long does an Amsterdam Light Festival Boat Tour take?

Our shared Amsterdam Light Festival Boat Tour takes approximately 90 minutes. Private boat tours offer more flexibility and can be extended depending on your catering, event and preferred itinerary.

What will we see during the boat tour?

The Amsterdam Light Festival route stretches approximately 5 kilometres through Amsterdam and features around 20 light artworks. The route passes through areas including the Oosterdok, Amstel and part of the Plantage neighbourhood.

Will we see the entire Amsterdam Light Festival route?

Our smaller boats can navigate the regular festival route. Canal traffic can occasionally affect the exact itinerary. Due to their size, Peter de Grote and Wapen van Amsterdam cannot navigate the complete route and therefore follow an alternative itinerary past a large part of the festival.

What is the difference between a private and shared boat tour?

A shared boat tour allows you to book individual tickets and enjoy the festival together with other guests. A private boat tour reserves the entire vessel for your group and gives you much more freedom over your boat, catering, drinks, layout and boarding location.

What is included with a shared Amsterdam Light Festival Boat Tour?

Our shared cruise includes a 90-minute boat tour, drinks, table bites and an enthusiastic guide. You’ll experience the festival in a cosy, social atmosphere aboard one of our luxury historic saloon boats.

Is there a guide on the Amsterdam Light Festival Boat Tour?

Yes. Our shared boat tours include an enthusiastic guide who tells you more about the festival and the artworks you encounter along the route. For the private boat tour you can include a guide for a additional fee

Which boats are used for the shared boat tours?

Shared tours are operated aboard our luxury historic saloon boats, such as Proost van Sint Jan, Bredero and Multatuli. The exact vessel depends on availability and operational planning.

Can I book an Amsterdam Light Festival Boat Tour privately?

Yes. Charter an entire boat exclusively for your group and create your own Private Amsterdam Light Festival Boat Tour. Choose your preferred vessel, catering, drinks and boarding location, or select one of our convenient private cruise packages.

Do you offer private all-in packages?

Yes. If you want a private experience without organising everything separately, our Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise Packages combine private boat hire, crew and catering in one convenient package with clear per-person pricing.

Can small groups book a private boat tour?

Yes. Smaller groups can also charter a private boat. Our fixed cruise packages are generally designed around minimum group sizes, but for smaller groups we can create a bespoke quotation based on the boat, crew, duration and catering required.

Are the Amsterdam Light Festival boats covered and heated?

Yes. Our festival boats are covered and heated with regular and infrared heating, allowing you to comfortably experience the festival during Amsterdam’s winter weather.

Do the boats have toilets?

Yes. Our Amsterdam Light Festival boats have toilet facilities on board. Photos of the facilities can be found on the individual boat pages.

Are your boats electric?

Yes. Our entire fleet is fully electric, creating a quiet and comfortable journey through Amsterdam’s historic canals.

Can we eat and drink during the boat tour?

Yes. Drinks and table bites are included on our shared tour. Private boat tours offer much more choice, ranging from drinks and luxury bites to buffets, walking dinners and private dining with a chef on board.

Where does the shared Amsterdam Light Festival Boat Tour depart from?

Our shared ticket cruises depart from Singel 359 in central Amsterdam, approximately 15 minutes by boat from the Amsterdam Light Festival route.

Where can a private boat tour depart from?

Our standard private boarding locations include Singel 9, Singel 250, Singel 359 and Amsterdam Central Station. Private boats can also use more than 150 boarding locations throughout Amsterdam, with alternative locations available for an additional call-out fee.

Is an Amsterdam Light Festival Boat Tour suitable for children?

Yes. A covered and heated boat is a comfortable way for families to experience the festival without having to walk the entire route through Amsterdam in winter.

Can we decorate a private boat for our event?

Yes. Our boats are already decorated with atmospheric lights and Christmas ornaments during the festival season. Private groups can also bring their own decorations, subject to practical and safety requirements.

Can we play our own music on a private boat?

Yes. Many of our boats have Bluetooth sound systems. Music aboard commercial passenger vessels in Amsterdam is limited to 76 dB, making it suitable for atmospheric background music.

Does the boat tour operate in bad weather?

Yes. Rain, cold temperatures and snow normally don’t prevent us from sailing because our boats are covered and heated. Cruises are only cancelled in exceptional circumstances when weather or canal conditions make sailing unsafe.

Should I book an Amsterdam Light Festival Boat Tour in advance?

Yes. The Amsterdam Light Festival is a popular winter event, and both shared departures and private boats can sell out on popular dates. We recommend booking in advance, particularly for weekends and dates around Christmas.