What Are 4 Unique Ways to Explore the Amsterdam Light Festival With Colleagues?

  • Thomas van Loon
  • 🕐 6 min leestijd

There are 4 unique ways to explore the Amsterdam Light Festival with colleagues: a private cruise along the canals, a walk past the light artworks, a dinner at one of the restaurants along the route, or a combination of sailing and dining on board. For groups, a private boat is by far the most popular choice, as it combines activity, drinks, and dinner all in one. In this article, you’ll find everything about the options, prices, group sizes, and how to book a group cruise.

Why is a boat the best way to see the Amsterdam Light Festival?

A boat is the best way to see the Amsterdam Light Festival because you experience the light artworks up close and at eye level, while gliding past all the installations without the crowds on the quayside. From the water, you see the reflections in the canals, a perspective you can never get on foot, and you have the company entirely to yourself.

The festival spreads across the Amsterdam canals and the IJ, with approximately 20 light artworks along the official route. On foot you can see some of the works, but the full route is only manageable by boat. Moreover, December and January are cold, and a covered, heated boat makes the festival considerably more comfortable than a walk in the freezing cold.

For groups, sailing has an added advantage: everyone stays together. No jostling on the quayside, no queues at individual works, and you can enjoy drinks or dinner at the same time as you take in the festival. That makes a group cruise during the Amsterdam Light Festival the logical choice for many companies and organizers planning a corporate outing or end-of-year celebration.

What are the 4 ways to explore the festival by boat with colleagues?

There are four concrete ways to experience the Amsterdam Light Festival with colleagues. Two of them revolve around sailing, but there are also strong alternatives for those who want to combine the festival with a group evening in a different way.

1. Private cruise with drinks and snacks

The most popular option for corporate groups is a private boat during the Amsterdam Light Festival with drinks and luxury snacks on board. The boat is exclusively for your group, you sail along the official festival route, and drinks and bites are served throughout. This is a great fit for an informal Christmas drinks event or team outing.

2. Dinner on board during the cruise

A dinner on the water combines the festival with a full evening programme. Think of a warm buffet, an Italian buffet, a three-course dinner, or a walking dinner where colleagues can move around freely and network. This is a strong choice for those who want to combine activity and dinner in one without changing venues.

3. Walking along the light artworks

A walk along the festival route is free and very doable, especially if your group is small or if you want to combine the festival with an evening in the city. The route runs largely along the Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht. Combine this with a dinner at a restaurant in the Jordaan or on the Leidseplein for a complete evening without a boat.

4. Shared boat tour for small groups

For small groups of up to 6 people, shared boat tours are also available. With us you can book Shared Tickets for this: a 75-minute cruise along the official festival route with an English-speaking guide, three times a day, bookable directly online during the Amsterdam Light Festival from €32 per person.

How large can a group be for a private boat during the Light Festival?

For a private boat during the Amsterdam Light Festival, there is no fixed maximum group size. The boat is matched to the size of your group, and for larger groups multiple boats can be combined. Smaller groups can opt for a Private Cruise Package from 15 persons.

Our fleet accommodates groups of varying sizes. For a group activity with colleagues, the rule of thumb is: the larger the group or the more specific the requirements around catering, drinks, or timing, the more a fully tailor-made cruise is the better choice. For groups with specific wishes regarding the boarding location, menu, or programme, a Custom Private Cruise is the most flexible option.

Want to keep it simple with a clear price per person? Then the fixed packages are suitable for groups from 15 persons. Both options give your group the entire boat exclusively, with no other guests on board.

What does a private cruise during the Amsterdam Light Festival cost?

The price of a private cruise during the Amsterdam Light Festival depends on the package and the group size. Fixed packages start from €47.50 per person for 15 to 25 people, and become cheaper per person for larger groups. A fully tailor-made cruise starts from €250 per hour with a minimum of 2 hours.

Below is an overview of the available Light Festival packages:

  • Drinks & Bites Cruise (1.5 hrs): from €47.50 pp (15–25 people) or €45.50 pp (25+)
  • Art & Lights Buffet (2 hrs): from €84.50 pp (15–25 people) or €78.50 pp (25+)
  • Italian Buffet Cruise (2 hrs): from €89.50 pp (15–25 people) or €85.50 pp (25+)
  • Dinner Cruise (2 hrs): from €129.50 pp (15–25 people) or €124.50 pp (25+)
  • Walking Dinner Cruise (2 hrs): from €132.50 pp (15–25 people) or €124.50 pp (25+)

Please note that a festival surcharge and VMR entertainment tax are charged separately. For larger groups or specific requirements around catering, drinks, or entertainment, a Custom Private Cruise is the most suitable option, with pricing depending on the composition.

When does the Amsterdam Light Festival start and how long does it last?

The Amsterdam Light Festival takes place annually in winter, typically from late November through late January. The exact dates vary by edition. Check the current festival dates for the most up-to-date information on this year’s edition.

The festival lasts an average of around eight to nine weeks, making it one of Amsterdam’s longest winter festivals. Because December and the holidays are the busiest period, it is strongly recommended to book early if you want to reserve a private boat for a Christmas drinks event or end-of-year celebration. Popular dates fill up quickly.

How do you book a group boat for the Amsterdam Light Festival?

You book a group boat for the Amsterdam Light Festival by contacting a boat operator that offers private cruises for groups. First choose which type of package suits your group: a fixed package with a clear price per person, or a fully tailor-made cruise. This is followed by a quote based on group size, date, and desired catering.

For shared boat tours (Shared Tickets) you can book directly online. For private packages it is advisable to reserve at least a few weeks in advance, and during the holidays even earlier. The more specific your wishes regarding menu, drinks, and timing, the better a boat operator can put together a suitable proposal.

How Rederij De Nederlanden helps with a group cruise during the Amsterdam Light Festival

We provide private cruises during the Amsterdam Light Festival for companies, groups, and events. Whether you want an informal drinks event or a fully catered Christmas dinner on the water, we have a suitable option. What we offer:

  • Private Cruise Packages with a fixed price per person, including boat, skipper, crew, and catering, suitable for groups from 15 persons
  • Custom Private Cruises fully tailor-made, with your own choice of boat, catering, drinks, timing, and boarding location, ideal for larger groups or specific requirements
  • Shared Tickets for small groups of up to 6 people, bookable directly online
  • Covered and heated historic salon boats, exclusively for your group
  • More than 150 possible boarding locations in Amsterdam
  • Catering on board, from snacks and buffet to walking dinner and three-course dinner
  • Official partner of the Amsterdam Light Festival

Ready to plan an unforgettable corporate outing or Christmas drinks event on the water? View our group packages for the Amsterdam Light Festival or contact us for a no-obligation tailor-made quote.

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