Combining drinks with the Amsterdam Light Festival is easiest by hiring a private boat for your team. That way you cruise past the light artworks while the snacks and drinks on board are already waiting. No hassle with reservations at multiple venues, no standing in the rain in a queue, and no strangers at your table. Below we answer the most frequently asked questions about drinks on the water during the Amsterdam Light Festival in 2026.
Which boats are suitable for a group drinks event during the Amsterdam Light Festival?
For a group drinks event during the Amsterdam Light Festival, covered, heated salon boats are the best choice. They combine views of the light artworks with the comfort of a warm interior, an on-board toilet, and plenty of space to stand, move around, and raise a glass. Especially in winter, when the festival takes place, that is far from a luxury.
With us, you always sail on a private boat reserved exclusively for your group. No other guests, no shared tables. Our historic salon boats are covered and heated, so the festival can be enjoyed to the fullest even in cold weather. The boat is matched to the size of your group, whether that is 15 or 60 people. For larger groups we can combine multiple boats.
Another practical advantage: we have more than 150 possible boarding locations in Amsterdam. So you don’t need to travel to a fixed departure point; we simply pick a boarding spot close to your office or hotel.
What can you expect from drinks on the water during the festival?
Drinks on the water during the Amsterdam Light Festival means cruising past around 20 light artworks while toasting with your team. The atmosphere is relaxed, the installations are impressive, and you have everything at hand: drinks, snacks, and good conversation, without anyone having to put on their coat to step outside.
What you can practically expect:
- A cruise of 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the chosen package
- Luxury snacks or a full buffet on board, depending on your package
- Drinks on consumption or via an open bar
- A professional skipper and crew who take care of everything
- Views of the official Light Festival route with the light artworks along the canals
Because the boat is entirely yours, you can also partly shape the programme yourself. Want to pause halfway for a toast? No problem. Want music on board? We’ll arrange it. The great advantage over drinks at a bar or restaurant is that the activity and the food and drinks all come together in one place. You don’t have to walk or travel anywhere.
How do you organise a corporate drinks event on a boat during the Amsterdam Light Festival?
Organising a corporate drinks event on a boat during the Amsterdam Light Festival takes three steps: choose a package that suits your group, pick a date, and leave the rest to us. The festival runs from November through January, so start booking early, as December fills up quickly.
In practical terms, this is how it works:
- Determine your group size and whether you want a fixed package or prefer to put something together on a custom basis.
- Choose a package: from an informal drinks event with snacks to a full dinner on board.
- Choose a boarding location that is convenient for your team, from more than 150 options in Amsterdam.
- Confirm the booking and wait for further instructions. The skipper, crew, and catering are included.
For companies that want minimal hassle, our Light Festival packages for groups are ideal. You pay a fixed price per person and everything is arranged. If you want more control over the catering, timing, or programme, a Custom Private Cruise is the better choice. With that, you put everything together yourself, from the catering to the drinks options.
What does a drinks cruise during the Amsterdam Light Festival cost?
A drinks cruise during the Amsterdam Light Festival starts at €47.50 per person for a group of 15 to 25 people. For larger groups the price per person decreases. This is inclusive of boat hire, skipper, crew, and catering on board.
Here is an overview of the available packages:
- Drinks & Bites Cruise (1.5 hours): from €47.50 pp (15–25 pers.) / from €45.50 pp (25+ pers.) – luxury snacks, ideal for an informal drinks event
- Art & Lights Buffet (2 hours): from €84.50 pp (15–25 pers.) / from €78.50 pp (25+ pers.) – hot and cold buffet
- Italian Buffet Cruise (2 hours): from €89.50 pp (15–25 pers.) / from €85.50 pp (25+ pers.) – Italian buffet
- Dinner Cruise (2 hours): from €129.50 pp (15–25 pers.) / from €124.50 pp (25+ pers.) – three-course dinner with a chef on board
- Walking Dinner Cruise (2 hours): from €132.50 pp (15–25 pers.) / from €124.50 pp (25+ pers.) – small dishes, free to move around, ideal for networking
Please note: on top of the package price, a festival surcharge and a VMR entertainment tax apply. Drinks are on consumption or via an open bar, depending on your choice. If you want a fully custom arrangement, Custom Private Cruises start from €250 per hour with a minimum of two hours.
What is the difference between a shared cruise and a private cruise for the festival?
The key difference is simple: on a shared cruise you share the boat with strangers, while on a private cruise the boat is entirely for your own group. For a corporate drinks event or team outing, a private cruise is almost always the better choice, because you can talk freely, move around, and shape the programme as you wish.
We offer both options during the Amsterdam Light Festival:
- Shared Tickets are available for couples, individual visitors, and small groups of up to 6 people. The cruise lasts 75 minutes, follows the official Amsterdam Light Festival route, includes an English-speaking guide, and can be booked directly online from €32 per person. There are three departures per day.
- Private Cruise Packages are fixed packages where the boat is exclusively for your group. Ideal for companies that want a clear price per person and minimal hassle.
- Custom Private Cruises are fully tailored: your own boat, your own catering, your own time and boarding location. Suitable for larger groups or groups with specific requirements.
For a corporate drinks event we recommend a private cruise. Not only for the privacy, but also because you can fully tailor the catering and programme to your evening. A shared cruise is fine for those who want to explore the festival individually, but is less suited to a group outing.
How Rederij De Nederlanden helps with your drinks event during the Amsterdam Light Festival
We are an official partner of the Amsterdam Light Festival and specialise in private cruises for companies and groups. This is what we can arrange for you:
- Exclusive private boat for your own group, no other guests on board
- Fixed packages with a clear price per person, including snacks and boat hire
- Fully custom options for larger groups or specific wishes regarding catering, drinks, or timing
- More than 150 boarding locations in Amsterdam, so you board wherever is most convenient
- Heated and covered salon boats, winter-proof and comfortable
- Professional skipper and crew included, all you have to do is enjoy
- Groups of up to 60 people on one boat, larger groups via multiple boats
Want to combine drinks with the Amsterdam Light Festival for your team? View our private boat packages for the Amsterdam Light Festival or contact us directly for a custom quote. We are happy to think along about what suits your group and budget best.