For small groups during the Amsterdam Light Festival, there are three strong options: walking along the light artworks yourself, combining an evening with dinner near the route, or booking a boat tour through Amsterdam’s canals. Which option suits best depends on group size, budget, and whether you prefer to walk around actively or relax and enjoy. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about the festival for small groups.
Which activities are most suitable for small groups during the Amsterdam Light Festival?
For small groups, walking along the route, dining at a nearby restaurant, and a boat tour are the three most popular ways to experience the Amsterdam Light Festival. Each of these options works well for groups of two to ten people and can easily be combined into a complete evening.
Walking along the light artworks
The light route runs through Amsterdam’s historic city centre and along the canals. You can walk it at your own pace, without a reservation or fixed departure time. For small groups, this is a pleasant way to view the artworks together and stop at a café or restaurant along the way. The route passes through neighbourhoods such as the Jordaan, the Centrum, and the Plantagebuurt, where you have plenty of options for a drink or snack in between.
Dining at a restaurant along the route
Booking dinner at a restaurant along the light route is a logical combination. After eating, you continue on foot or by boat past the artworks. Restaurants in the Jordaan, on the Keizersgracht, or around the Leidseplein are close to the route and easily accessible. Do book in advance, as the crowds during the festival also attract many other visitors to the city centre.
A boat tour through the canals
Sailing is one of the most beautiful ways to see the light artworks, as you experience the installations at water level and catch the reflections in the canals. For small groups, there are various sailing options, from shared cruises to a private boat for your own party. With us, as a small group you can choose from an Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour on a shared boat or a private arrangement organised exclusively for you.
How many people make up a ‘small group’ at the Amsterdam Light Festival?
At the Amsterdam Light Festival, a group of two to approximately fifteen people is generally considered a small group. For walking activities and restaurant visits there is no official limit, but for boat tours the classification depends on the type of cruise you choose.
For shared boat tours, such as our Shared Tickets, a maximum of 6 people per booking applies. You then board a shared boat with other visitors. The cruise lasts 75 minutes, follows the official Amsterdam Light Festival route, and departs three times a day. An English-speaking guide is included on board. Booking is possible directly online from €32 per person.
If you have a group of 15 people or more, our Private Cruise Packages are a logical next step. With these, you hire the entire boat exclusively for your own party, including skipper, crew, and catering, from €47.50 per person. You can read more about this in the question about private boat tours below.
What are the advantages of a private boat tour for a small group?
A private boat tour gives a small group complete exclusivity: the boat is just for you, you set the pace, and there are no other guests on board. That makes it much more personal than a shared cruise, especially if you want to celebrate a birthday, company outing, or other special occasion.
With us, private arrangements during the Amsterdam Light Festival are available through two routes:
- Private Cruise Packages: fixed arrangements with a clear price per person, suitable for groups from 15 people. The boat is fully reserved for you, including catering and drinks. You choose from arrangements such as the Drinks & Bites Cruise (1.5 hours, from €47.50 pp), the Art & Lights Buffet (2 hours, from €84.50 pp), or the Dinner Cruise with a three-course dinner and chef on board (2 hours, from €129.50 pp).
- Custom Private Cruise: a fully tailored cruise where you choose the boat, catering, drinks, and boarding location yourself. Particularly interesting for groups with specific wishes or a special occasion.
All boats are covered and heated, so you are comfortable on board even during the winter months. That is a practical advantage at a festival that takes place entirely during the dark months.
When is the Amsterdam Light Festival and how long does it last?
The Amsterdam Light Festival takes place annually in winter, from late November through late January. In 2026, the edition is expected to run from late November 2025 through January 2026. The festival therefore lasts approximately eight weeks, making it one of the longest-running light festivals in the Netherlands.
The light artworks can be seen every evening once it gets dark, generally from around 17:00. Walking is possible at any time; boat tours depart at fixed times. Check the current dates and departure times on the Amsterdam Light Festival dates page for the most up-to-date information.
Because the festival lasts for weeks, as a small group you have the flexibility to choose an evening that works for everyone. Nevertheless, it is wise to book boat tours early, as popular dates fill up quickly.
How do you book an Amsterdam Light Festival activity for a small group?
How you book depends on the activity you choose. Walking along the route is free and requires no reservation. For a restaurant, book directly with the restaurant itself, preferably well in advance. For a boat tour, there are various booking options depending on group size and the type of cruise.
For a shared boat tour with our Shared Tickets, you book directly online. For a private arrangement, such as a private boat during the Amsterdam Light Festival, you get in touch for a tailored quote. This applies to both the fixed Private Cruise Packages and a fully custom Custom Private Cruise.
A few practical tips for booking:
- Book a boat tour as early as possible, especially for weekends and public holidays in December.
- Check whether the chosen evening is a busy festival date, such as a weekend just before Christmas.
- Combine activities in one evening: dinner first, then sailing, or the other way around.
- Take into account a festival surcharge and VMR entertainment tax for boat tours during the festival.
How Rederij De Nederlanden helps with a Light Festival evening for small groups
Whether you want to sail as a group of six or organise a complete evening with a group of fifteen, we have a suitable option. Here is what we can concretely arrange:
- Shared Tickets: for groups of up to 6 people, bookable directly online, 75 minutes sailing along the official route, with a guide, from €32 per person.
- Private Cruise Packages: for groups from 15 people, the entire boat exclusively for you, including catering and crew, from €47.50 per person. Choose from multiple arrangements ranging from drinks with snacks to a three-course dinner.
- Custom Private Cruise: fully tailored, your own choice of boat, catering, drinks, and boarding location, ideal for groups with specific wishes.
- All boats are covered and heated, so the weather won’t spoil the fun.
- We are an official partner of the Amsterdam Light Festival and sail the official route past approximately 20 light artworks.
Want to know which option suits your group best? Get in touch with us and we will quickly help you with a suitable proposal or a direct booking.