Organizing a year-end party around the Amsterdam Light Festival means putting together an evening that combines the festival with food, drinks, and an activity that suits your group. The most popular approach is a private boat tour along the light artworks, combined with a dinner or drinks on board. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about planning such an evening, from the festival dates to booking a private boat for your group.
When does the Amsterdam Light Festival take place and what can you expect?
The Amsterdam Light Festival takes place every year in winter, typically from late November through early January. In 2026, the festival is expected to run again from late November to early January, coinciding exactly with the holidays and the year-end period. This makes the festival an ideal backdrop for a Christmas drinks event, Christmas dinner, or year-end party.
During the festival, there are approximately 20 light artworks to see along the Amsterdam canals. International and Dutch artists place their works on and along the water, making the city literally light up during the dark winter months. The works vary each year, so even those who have visited the festival before will always discover something new.
The festival can be experienced both on foot and by boat. Walking along the works is free and accessible to everyone. Sailing along the official Amsterdam Light Festival route offers a different perspective: you see the works from the water, often up close and without the crowds on the banks. Both ways have their own charm, and for a group evening, a combination of both is also perfectly possible.
Why is a boat tour the best way to experience the festival with a group?
A boat tour is the most complete way for groups to experience the Amsterdam Light Festival, because it combines the activity, food, and drinks all in one place. You are together on a private boat, sailing past all the light artworks, and you don’t need to interrupt the evening for a restaurant or another venue. Everything is arranged before you step on board.
With a group activity on land, you always have to deal with transfers, queues, or finding a restaurant large enough for your group. On a private boat, all of that falls away. The boat is exclusively for your party, catering comes on board, and the skipper takes care of the route. That saves the organizer a great deal of work.
In addition, sailing in winter is more comfortable than it might sound. Our boats are covered and heated, so you can fully enjoy the light artworks even in cold or rainy weather. You sit dry, warm, and together, while Amsterdam glides past you outside.
For those who prefer to explore the festival on foot: that works perfectly well as part of the evening too. Combine a walk along the works with drinks or dinner on a terrace or in a restaurant near the route, such as in the Jordaan or around the Keizersgracht. This works well for smaller groups or as a complement to an evening that is already partly on the water.
What are the best packages for a year-end party on the water?
For a year-end party on the water, various packages are available depending on how extensive you want to make the evening. The choice depends on the group size, the budget, and whether you prefer to book a fixed package or put everything together yourself.
We offer several fixed Private Cruise Packages specially put together for the Amsterdam Light Festival. These are the options:
- Drinks & Bites Cruise (1.5 hours) from €47.50 per person: luxury snacks on board, ideal for an informal Christmas drinks event or team outing.
- Art & Lights Buffet (2 hours) from €84.50 per person: hot and cold buffet, suitable for a more extensive group dinner.
- Italian Buffet Cruise (2 hours) from €89.50 per person: Italian buffet, popular for festive corporate evenings.
- Dinner Cruise (2 hours) from €129.50 per person: three-course dinner with a chef on board, perfect for Christmas dinners and client evenings.
- Walking Dinner Cruise (2 hours) from €132.50 per person: multiple small courses, chef on board, free movement and networking possible.
All packages are exclusive to your group: no other guests on board. Would you like something specific, such as an open bar, a particular menu, or a different boarding location? Then a Custom Private Cruise tailored to your wishes is the better choice, where you can put everything together as you see fit.
How far in advance should you book a private boat for the Amsterdam Light Festival?
For a private boat during the Amsterdam Light Festival, it is advisable to book at least two to three months in advance, preferably earlier. The most popular evenings, such as the weekends in December and the evenings around Christmas and New Year’s Eve, are often fully booked well in advance.
Companies planning a Christmas drinks event or year-end party typically start as early as September or October. Those who wait too long will find that their preferred date is no longer available or that there is little choice left in boats and packages. Booking early also brings peace of mind: you know it’s arranged and can send out the invitations on time.
Please note that in addition to the regular boat hire, a festival surcharge and a VMR entertainment tax apply during the Amsterdam Light Festival. These costs are listed separately at the time of booking, so you won’t be caught off guard.
How many people can fit on a private boat during the festival?
The group size for a private boat during the Amsterdam Light Festival starts at a minimum of 15 persons for the fixed packages. The maximum size depends on the boat deployed. Our fleet consists of various boats, allowing us to accommodate groups of large numbers.
For groups with specific requirements regarding group size, catering, or layout, a Custom Private Cruise is the best option. This allows the boat to be tailored to your group, and it is also possible to guarantee a specific boat. For larger groups where one boat is not sufficient, multiple boats can be combined so that everyone participates in the festival together.
Do you have a smaller group of up to 6 persons? Then Shared Tickets are also available from €32 per person. The cruise lasts 75 minutes, follows the official festival route, and departs three times a day. Convenient for couples or small groups who do not want to hire the entire boat.
What do you need to arrange for a successful corporate outing around the Amsterdam Light Festival?
For a successful corporate outing around the Amsterdam Light Festival, there are a few practical matters you need to arrange in time: the date, the package, the invitations, and any additional wishes regarding catering or entertainment. The earlier you start, the more options you have.
A handy checklist for the organizer:
- Choose a date and check availability, preferably before the end of October.
- Determine the group size and whether you want a fixed package or a custom arrangement.
- Choose the type of evening: drinks, buffet, dinner, or walking dinner.
- Decide on drinks: on consumption or an open bar.
- Send out the invitations once the booking is confirmed.
- Communicate practical information to participants: boarding location, time, and dress code advice.
Regarding the boarding location: we have more than 150 possible boarding locations in Amsterdam, allowing you to align the departure point with where your group is coming from. This makes the logistics considerably easier, especially when colleagues are coming from different parts of the city.
How Rederij De Nederlanden helps with your year-end party
As an official partner of the Amsterdam Light Festival, we provide private cruises along the light artworks, specially for groups who want to make a complete evening of it. Whether you are looking for an informal Christmas drinks event or an extensive Christmas dinner on the water, we arrange it for you.
- Private boat exclusively for your group, no other guests on board
- Choice of fixed packages with a clear price per person (from €47.50 p.p.) or fully customized
- Covered and heated historic salon boats, set up to be winter-proof
- Catering on board: from snacks and buffet to a three-course dinner with a chef
- More than 150 boarding locations in Amsterdam
- Suitable for both smaller groups and large parties
Would you like to arrange an evening that everyone will remember? View our packages for groups during the Amsterdam Light Festival or contact us for a personal tailored proposal.
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