How Long Does the Amsterdam Light Festival Last?

  • Thomas van Loon
  • 🕐 6 min leestijd

The Amsterdam Light Festival typically lasts around six to seven weeks, from late November to early January. In 2026, the 2025/2026 edition runs from 27 November 2025 through 18 January 2026. That gives you plenty of time to plan an evening, although the busiest periods around the holidays fill up quickly. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about the duration, times, and crowds at the festival.

When does the Amsterdam Light Festival start and end?

The Amsterdam Light Festival starts every year at the end of November and runs through to mid-January. The 2025/2026 edition kicks off on 27 November 2025 and closes on 18 January 2026. That is over seven weeks during which Amsterdam’s canals are illuminated by dozens of light artworks by international artists.

The festival has two routes: the Illuminade, a walking route through the city centre, and the Water Colors route, which you can follow by boat along the canals. Both routes are active throughout the entire festival period, although specific artworks may change during the weeks or be temporarily unavailable.

Want to know more about the exact dates and routes? On our Amsterdam Light Festival dates page we keep the latest information up to date.

How many weeks is the Amsterdam Light Festival on?

The Amsterdam Light Festival is on for an average of seven weeks. That makes it one of the longer winter festivals in the Netherlands. Plenty of time to plan a relaxed evening, though it pays not to wait too long.

The reason the festival runs for so long is the combination of two target audiences: tourists visiting Amsterdam during the Christmas period and Amsterdammers themselves who want to experience the festival in their own city. Thanks to the long run, there is a moment for everyone, but the weeks around Christmas and New Year’s Eve are by far the most popular.

In practical terms this means: the earlier in the festival period you go, the more peace and quiet you will experience. Early December is generally quieter than the week before Christmas. If you want to book a private cruise for a group or company, planning early is truly advisable. Availability in December decreases quickly.

What time does the Amsterdam Light Festival open and close?

The Amsterdam Light Festival can be visited daily from the moment it gets dark, generally from 17:00. The light artworks are on view until 22:30, after which the lighting is switched off. On busy evenings, such as during the holidays, the atmosphere along the canals can still be lively after closing time, but the official artworks will no longer be illuminated.

The same times apply to the walking route (the Illuminade). You can simply stroll past the works at your own pace, free of charge and without a reservation. For a boat tour along the Water Colors route, the departure times of the operator you choose apply.

With us on the water, departures take place in the evening hours so you can make the most of the illuminations. Our boats are covered and heated, so you don’t need to worry about the cold. Check the Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour page for more information about departure times.

How long does a boat tour during the Amsterdam Light Festival take?

A boat tour during the Amsterdam Light Festival takes an average of 75 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the type of cruise you choose. The exact duration depends on the route, the operator, and whether you opt for a shared or a private cruise.

There are roughly three ways to experience the festival by boat:

  • Walking the Illuminade: no boat, but the pedestrian-friendly route through the city centre. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on your pace and stops along the way.
  • Shared cruise: for couples, individual visitors, or small groups of up to 6 people. With us this cruise lasts 75 minutes, follows the official Water Colors route, and departs three times a day. Includes an English-speaking guide, bookable directly online from €32 per person.
  • Private cruise for your own group: the most flexible option. The duration is entirely up to you, with a minimum of 1.5 hours for a package arrangement or 2 hours for a custom private cruise. You sail past approximately 20 light artworks on the canals, the IJ, or the Amstel, while on board you can enjoy snacks, a buffet, or a served dinner.

For groups that want to combine a complete evening with food and drinks, a private cruise for groups is a popular choice. You have the entire boat to yourselves, which creates a very different atmosphere from a shared cruise.

When is the Amsterdam Light Festival at its busiest?

The Amsterdam Light Festival is at its busiest during the weeks around Christmas and New Year’s Eve, specifically between 20 December and 1 January. During this period the festival attracts both many tourists and Amsterdammers who want to celebrate the holidays with a special activity. Weekends are also generally busier than weekday evenings.

If you want to avoid the crowds, the first two weeks of December and the first week of January are good times to go. The festival is already in full swing, but the canals and walking routes are noticeably quieter.

For groups and companies looking to organise a private cruise or Christmas drinks on the water, availability in December decreases quickly. Popular dates such as 19, 20, and 21 December are sometimes fully booked weeks in advance. Booking early is therefore strongly recommended, especially if you are going with a larger group or have specific wishes regarding catering or timing.

Want to know which dates are still available? Check the Amsterdam Light Festival overview or get in touch for a no-obligation availability check.

How Rederij De Nederlanden helps you plan your festival evening

Whether you want to go with a small group or organise a full corporate outing, we have a suitable option for every situation. As an official partner of the Amsterdam Light Festival, we sail along the official route and approximately 20 light artworks, on historic and fully heated salon boats.

  • Shared Tickets: for couples and small groups of up to 6 people. 75-minute cruise, three times a day, including a guide, from €32 per person. Bookable directly online.
  • Private Cruise Packages: fixed arrangements with a clear price per person, from €47.50 pp. The boat is exclusively for your group, including skipper, crew, and catering on board. Choose from a drinks cruise, buffet, Italian buffet, dinner cruise, or walking dinner cruise.
  • Custom Private Cruise: fully tailored, from €250 per hour with a minimum of 2 hours. Choose the boat, the catering, the drinks, the boarding location, and the timing yourself. Ideal for larger groups or companies with specific requirements.

Our boats are covered, heated, and equipped with an on-board toilet. With more than 150 possible boarding locations in Amsterdam, we arrange the departure point that suits your group best.

Want to organise an evening that will truly be remembered? Check out our private boat options for the Amsterdam Light Festival or get in touch with us for personal advice and an availability check.

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