How Long Does the Amsterdam Light Festival Last Each Year?

  • Thomas van Loon
  • 🕐 6 min leestijd

The Amsterdam Light Festival typically lasts around eight to nine weeks, from late November through late January. The festival starts each year around the second half of November and runs through somewhere in the last week of January. In 2026, you can expect a similar period. Below we answer the most frequently asked questions about the festival, from opening hours to the best time to visit.

When does the Amsterdam Light Festival start and end?

The Amsterdam Light Festival starts each year in the second half of November and ends in late January of the following year. The exact dates vary slightly per edition, but the opening typically falls between November 20 and 30, while the festival closes somewhere between January 19 and 26. For the 2025–2026 season, you can expect a similar schedule.

The opening evening is always an event in itself, with extra attention paid to the unveiling of the new light artworks. Once the official dates for your edition are announced, you’ll find them on the festival’s own website. Looking to book early, for example for a group arrangement or company outing during the festival? It’s wise to keep a close eye on the announcement, as popular dates fill up quickly.

How many weeks does the Amsterdam Light Festival last?

The Amsterdam Light Festival lasts an average of eight to nine weeks. That makes it one of the longer winter festivals in the Netherlands, which also means you have plenty of time to plan a visit. That said, the closer you get to the holidays, the busier it gets.

The weeks around Sinterklaas, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve are traditionally the most popular, both among tourists and Amsterdam locals. Companies often plan their Christmas drinks, Christmas dinners, or end-of-year parties during this period, making demand for private arrangements on the water highest in those weeks. January is generally quieter, making it an attractive option if you prefer more space.

The light artworks along the official Amsterdam Light Festival route are on display throughout the entire festival period, so you don’t necessarily need to go during the busiest weeks to see everything.

What time can you visit the Amsterdam Light Festival?

The Amsterdam Light Festival can be visited in the evening, once it gets dark. The light artworks are generally visible from around 5:00 PM until midnight. In November and December it gets dark early, meaning you can enjoy the illuminated artworks along the canals shortly after nightfall.

The festival has no fixed ticket booth or entrance gate: the light artworks are displayed along the public canals and streets, so you can walk or sail past them at any time during opening hours. There are, however, organized boat tours and walking routes that help you see all the works in a logical order.

Keep in mind that it can get dark and cold early in December and January. Dressing warmly is not a luxury, especially if you’re following the walking route. On a heated and covered boat, of course, that’s a different story.

What is the best time to visit the festival?

The best time to visit the Amsterdam Light Festival depends on what you’re looking for. Want the least crowds? Go during the first or last weeks of the festival, or choose a weekday evening in January. Want to soak up the festive atmosphere to the fullest? The weeks around Christmas and New Year’s Eve are the most spectacular, but also the busiest.

A few practical considerations:

  • November and early December: relatively quiet, fresh weather, a pleasant build-up atmosphere in the city
  • Mid-December to January 1: busiest period, lots of atmosphere, but also more people on the streets and on the water
  • January: quieter, sometimes cold, but great for combining with a wintery evening in the city

Weekdays are always quieter than weekends. If you’re going with a group and want to book a private arrangement on the water, it’s wise to reserve early, regardless of which time you choose. The most popular evenings in December are sometimes fully booked weeks in advance.

Combining the festival with an evening in Amsterdam? The Jordaan and the Nine Streets are right along the festival route and offer plenty of options for drinks or dinner before or after your walk. The area around the Keizersgracht and the Herengracht is also more atmospheric than ever during the festival.

Can you view the Amsterdam Light Festival by boat?

Yes, and for many visitors this is the most beautiful way to experience the festival. From the water, you see the light artworks on the bridges, quaysides, and over the water in a way you simply can’t experience on foot. The canals are narrower than you might think, meaning you pass the works up close.

There are several ways to visit the festival by boat. You can opt for a shared boat tour with other visitors, where you buy a ticket and join a boat with a guide. That’s an accessible option for couples or small groups. But if you’re going with a larger group, organizing a company outing, or simply prefer to be on a private boat with your own party, private options are also available.

With us, Rederij De Nederlanden, you can choose from three options:

  • Custom Private Cruise: a fully tailor-made private cruise, where you choose the boat, catering, drinks, timing, and boarding location yourself. From €250 per hour, minimum 2 hours. Ideal for larger groups or groups with specific wishes, such as a Christmas dinner or walking dinner on board.
  • Private Cruise Packages: pre-arranged private packages with a fixed price per person, from €47.50 per person with a minimum of 15 persons. The boat is exclusively for your group, including skipper, crew, and catering. Convenient if you want to arrange a complete evening quickly and clearly.
  • Shared Tickets: a shared 75-minute boat tour along the official festival route, with an English-speaking guide. Available for groups of up to 6 persons, from €32 per person. Book directly online, with three departures per day.

Our boats are historic salon boats that are fully covered and heated. That makes an evening on the water pleasant even in freezing temperatures. So you don’t need to worry about the winter cold. We sail along the official Amsterdam Light Festival route past approximately 20 light artworks.

How Rederij De Nederlanden helps with the Amsterdam Light Festival

Want to combine the Amsterdam Light Festival with an unforgettable evening on the water? We’re happy to help. Whether you’re organizing an informal drinks reception, planning a Christmas dinner, or looking to set up a large corporate event: we have a suitable option.

  • Private boat exclusively for your group, from small to large
  • Choice of fixed packages or fully customized arrangements
  • Catering on board: from luxury snacks and buffet to three-course dinner or walking dinner
  • Heated and covered historic salon boats
  • More than 150 boarding locations in Amsterdam
  • Official partner of the Amsterdam Light Festival
  • Shared Tickets available for small groups and individual visitors

View our private boat options for the Amsterdam Light Festival or request a customized arrangement. Contact us and we’ll be happy to think along with you about the best fit for your group or event.

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