The best way to see the Amsterdam Light Festival with a group is by private boat. From the water, you see the approximately 20 light artworks along the official festival route in the most beautiful way, while sitting together with your own group on board. For larger groups or companies, a private cruise is the most complete choice because it combines activity, food, and drinks in one place. Below we answer the most frequently asked questions about the festival with a group.
Why is a boat the most popular choice for groups at the Amsterdam Light Festival?
A boat is the most popular choice for groups at the Amsterdam Light Festival because you see the light artworks from the water, exactly as they were designed to be seen. The installations are situated along Amsterdam’s canals and are reflected in the water, creating an effect you simply don’t experience from the quayside. Moreover, as a group you stay together and have all the space for a pleasant evening.
That said, there are also other great ways to experience the festival with a group. Walking along the route is free, flexible, and perfect for small groups who want to explore at their own pace. The official festival route is well signposted and runs through the center of Amsterdam. Combine this with a dinner nearby, for example in the Jordaan or at Leidseplein, and you have a complete evening.
For larger groups, walking is less practical. It’s difficult to keep twenty or thirty people together on busy streets in the dark. A boat solves that problem immediately: everyone sits together, the program is clear, and you don’t have to look for anyone at a crossroads.
Want to cruise during the Amsterdam Light Festival? Then it’s smart to choose a private boat instead of a shared canal cruise, especially with a group of more than six people. With a private cruise, the boat is exclusively for your group, you can set your own pace, and there’s room for snacks and drinks on board.
Which type of boat trip suits your group best?
The type of boat trip that suits you best depends on the size of your group and what you want: an informal drinks reception, a dinner, or simply seeing the festival together. Broadly speaking, there are three options: a shared canal cruise for small groups, a private package with a fixed price per person for groups who want to arrange something straightforward, or a fully customized private cruise for groups with specific wishes.
Shared canal cruise: suitable for small groups
Are you with two, three, or a small group of up to six people? Then a shared ticket is a great choice. With us, you join a shared boat along the official Amsterdam Light Festival route. The cruise lasts 75 minutes, there is an English-speaking guide on board, and you book directly online. Price: from €32 per person. There are three departures per day.
Private package: for groups who want to keep it simple
Are you with a larger group and don’t want to think about separate components? Then a Private Cruise Package is the most practical choice. You choose a package with a fixed price per person, the boat is exclusively for your group, and catering is included. Ideal for company outings, Christmas drinks, or birthdays where you just want to enjoy yourself without any hassle.
Custom private cruise: for larger groups or specific wishes
Do you have a large group, a specific boarding location in mind, or do you want to put together the catering, drinks, or timing yourself? Then a Custom Private Cruise is a better fit. You choose the boat, the route, the food, and the drinks yourself. More flexibility, more customization.
How many people can join a private boat during the Amsterdam Light Festival?
On a private boat during the Amsterdam Light Festival, groups from 15 people can book a Private Cruise Package. For smaller groups of up to six people, there are the shared canal cruises. There is no strict upper limit: the fleet of Rederij De Nederlanden offers boats for a wide range of group sizes, and for very large groups, multiple boats can be combined.
The boat is always tailored to the size of your group. This means you don’t pay for space you don’t use, but also that a group of fifty people can easily travel together on one boat. For specific wishes regarding group size and boat layout, a private cruise for groups is the best option to explore.
All boats are covered and heated, which is a major practical advantage during the winter months of the Amsterdam Light Festival. You don’t need to worry about cold or rain.
What are the best packages for a company outing or Christmas drinks at the Amsterdam Light Festival?
For a company outing or Christmas drinks during the Amsterdam Light Festival, the Private Cruise Packages are the most popular choice. They combine the festival route with catering on board, all for a fixed price per person. Depending on the budget and atmosphere you want, various packages are available.
An overview of the packages:
- Drinks & Bites Cruise (1.5 hours): luxury snacks on board. From €47.50 pp (15–25 people) or €45.50 pp (25+). Suitable for informal drinks and team outings.
- Art & Lights Buffet (2 hours): hot and cold buffet. From €84.50 pp (15–25 people) or €78.50 pp (25+). Suitable for company outings and group dinners.
- Italian Buffet Cruise (2 hours): Italian buffet. From €89.50 pp (15–25 people) or €85.50 pp (25+). Suitable for festive gatherings.
- Dinner Cruise (2 hours): three-course dinner with a chef on board. From €129.50 pp (15–25 people) or €124.50 pp (25+). Suitable for Christmas dinners and business dinners.
- Walking Dinner Cruise (2 hours): multiple small courses, chef on board, free to move around. From €132.50 pp (15–25 people) or €124.50 pp (25+). Ideal for networking and client events.
The great advantage of these packages is that the boat is entirely exclusive to your group. You don’t share the evening with other guests, which ensures maximum privacy and a relaxed atmosphere. Activity, drinks, and dinner are all in one location: on board. That saves a lot of logistics for the organizer.
Do you have more specific wishes, a larger group, or do you want to put together the catering and entertainment yourself? Then a custom private cruise is the better choice.
When should you book a boat for the Amsterdam Light Festival?
For the Amsterdam Light Festival, it is wise to book as early as possible, preferably at least four to six weeks in advance. The festival falls during the busiest period of the year for group cruises: winter, when Christmas drinks, year-end parties, and business dinners are also being planned. Popular dates fill up quickly.
The Amsterdam Light Festival takes place annually from late November to late January. In 2026, the festival edition continues into January. The combination of the festival with the Christmas period means that demand for private boats increases significantly during these months.
Practical tips for booking:
- Book preferably in September or October for dates in November and December.
- Do you have a large group or specific wishes? Get in touch earlier, so there is time for customization.
- Take into account a festival surcharge and VMR entertainment tax that are calculated separately.
- Check the dates of the Amsterdam Light Festival to make sure your cruise falls within the festival period.
Don’t wait too long: especially for popular evenings in December, the available time slots are limited.
How Rederij De Nederlanden helps with a group visit to the Amsterdam Light Festival
As an official partner of the Amsterdam Light Festival, we provide private cruises for groups of various sizes and with various wishes. This is what we concretely offer:
- Private Cruise Packages from €47.50 per person, including boat, skipper, crew, and catering, easy to book with a clear price per person.
- Custom Private Cruise for groups with specific wishes regarding catering, drinks, timing, entertainment, or boarding location, fully tailored.
- Shared Tickets for small groups of up to six people, bookable directly online from €32 per person.
- Historic, covered, and heated boats, winterproof for the coldest festival evenings.
- More than 150 boarding locations in Amsterdam, so you can board at a location that suits you.
- Experience with corporate events, Christmas drinks, Christmas dinners, and group cruises.
Want to arrange a complete evening for your group, without any hassle? Browse our Christmas cruise packages or contact us for a tailored offer.