The Amsterdam Light Festival takes place annually from late November through mid-January, making it a perfect fit with the holiday season. In 2026, the edition runs from late November 2025 through mid-January 2026. The festival draws hundreds of thousands of visitors who come to admire the light artworks on foot, by bike, or from the water. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about the festival so you can make it an unforgettable evening.
When does the Amsterdam Light Festival take place?
The Amsterdam Light Festival takes place every year from late November through mid-January. The exact opening and closing dates vary by edition, but you can count on a run of more than six weeks covering the entire Christmas and New Year’s period. The light artworks can be seen daily once it gets dark, typically from around 5:00 PM.
For the edition running into 2026, the festival starts in November 2025 and closes in January 2026. The busiest evenings are weekends in December and the period around Christmas and New Year’s Eve. If you want to experience the festival at a quieter pace, weekday evenings in early December are a smart choice. If you’d rather soak up the atmosphere of a bustling city, a Saturday evening in December is just right.
The light artworks can be found both along the canals and on the water, which means the festival makes little impression during the day but comes fully to life after sunset.
What are the best ways to see the festival?
There are three popular ways to see the Amsterdam Light Festival: on foot, by bike, or from the water. Each offers a completely different perspective on the light artworks, and which one suits you best depends on your group size, your schedule, and what you want to get out of it.
On foot along the canals
The walking route along the light artworks is free to access and runs through Amsterdam’s historic city center. You have complete freedom to stop, take photos, and walk at your own pace. The downside is that you may face queues during busy periods, and some works on the water are only clearly visible from a boat.
By bike
On a bike you cover the route more quickly and can switch between locations more easily. Amsterdam is a cycling city par excellence, so this fits the city perfectly. You do need to stay alert in the busy city center, especially on popular evenings.
From the water
Sailing is the most special way to experience the festival. Many of the light artworks hang above or in the canals and are best seen from the water. You also glide past the works at a relaxed pace without the crowds on the quaysides. For groups who also want to eat and drink, a boat is instantly a complete evening in itself.
If you want to experience the festival from the water, you can choose from a private boat for the Amsterdam Light Festival, a fixed package with catering, or a shared ticket for a shared cruise. As an official partner of the Amsterdam Light Festival, we sail along the official festival route past approximately 20 light artworks.
How far in advance should you book a boat cruise?
For a boat cruise during the Amsterdam Light Festival, the rule is: the earlier, the better. The most popular evenings in December are fully booked weeks in advance, especially for private boats. Expect to book at least four to six weeks ahead for weekends in December and the Christmas period to secure a good spot.
For groups wanting to reserve a private boat, booking early is even more important. The availability of specific boats is limited and popular time slots disappear quickly. If you want to combine a company outing, Christmas drinks, or a group dinner with the festival, it’s wise to make your reservation as early as October or November for an evening in December.
Shared cruises are somewhat easier to get, but they also fill up quickly during the busiest weeks. If you book last-minute, there’s a good chance your choice will be limited to less popular times or dates.
What is there to see during the Amsterdam Light Festival?
During the Amsterdam Light Festival, around 20 light artworks by national and international artists are on display each year. The works range from large installations above the canals to smaller, interactive objects along the quaysides. Each year there is a new theme that connects the selection of artworks.
The works are spread across Amsterdam’s canals and city center, with a concentration around the Herengracht, Keizersgracht, Prinsengracht, and the Amstel. Some works are only clearly visible from the water, while others are specifically intended for walkers on the quaysides.
Beyond the light artworks, the atmosphere in the city during the festival is itself worth the visit. The illuminated city center, the reflections on the water, and the lively ambiance on the quaysides make an evening in Amsterdam something special, even if you don’t visit every artwork.
What can you combine with a Light Festival visit?
A visit to the Amsterdam Light Festival lends itself perfectly to a complete evening in the city. There are plenty of opportunities to combine the light artworks with dining, drinks, and other activities in Amsterdam.
Dining near the route: The canal district has many great restaurants. The Jordaan and the Negen Straatjes are popular neighborhoods for dinner before or after the festival. Think traditional Dutch brown cafés for bitterballen and beer, or an Italian or French restaurant for a relaxed dinner. Be sure to book in advance, as restaurants in the city center are busy during the festival.
Drinks in the city center: Many cafés along the route have extended opening hours and atmospheric terraces during the festival. A warm mulled wine or drinks on the Leidsekade or Rembrandtplein is an easy way to round off the evening.
Cultural activities: The Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Stedelijk Museum are all within cycling distance of the festival route. Some museums have special opening hours or evening programs in December that pair well with a festival visit.
Sailing with catering on board: For groups who want to arrange everything in one place, a boat with food and drinks is a smart choice. You combine the cruise past the light artworks directly with drinks, a buffet, or dinner, without having to find a restaurant afterward. With our group packages you can choose from light snacks to a full three-course dinner on board, with the boat exclusively for your party.
Where do the cruises for the festival depart from?
Cruises for the Amsterdam Light Festival depart from various locations in the center of Amsterdam. Most operators depart from fixed moorings at the Prins Hendrikkade, the Damrak, the Stadhouderskade, or the Singelgracht. The exact boarding location depends on the operator and the type of cruise you book.
We have more than 150 possible boarding locations in Amsterdam. With a tailor-made private cruise, you can adjust the boarding location to whatever is most convenient for your group, whether that’s right next to your office, near a restaurant, or at another central spot in the city. Fixed packages have set departure points, but these are also easily accessible from the city center.
For shared cruises, there is generally a fixed departure location that is communicated at the time of booking. Always check the exact boarding location when you book, as during the busy festival period it’s helpful to arrive on time.
How Rederij De Nederlanden helps with your Amsterdam Light Festival visit
As an official partner of the Amsterdam Light Festival, we offer various options to experience the festival from the water, for every type of group and every budget.
- Custom Private Cruise: a fully tailor-made private cruise, with your own boat, catering of your choice, and a boarding location that fits your schedule. Especially suitable for larger groups or groups with specific requirements around food, drinks, or entertainment. From €250 per hour, minimum 2 hours.
- Private Cruise Packages: fixed packages with a clear price per person, including boat rental, skipper, crew, and catering. The boat is exclusively for your group. Suitable for groups from 15 persons, with options ranging from light snacks to a full three-course dinner. From €47.50 per person.
- Shared Tickets: a shared cruise for couples, individual visitors, and small groups of up to 6 persons. The cruise lasts 75 minutes, follows the official festival route past approximately 20 light artworks, has an English-speaking guide, and departs three times a day. Book directly online from €32 per person.
Our boats are covered and heated, so you can cruise in comfort even on cold winter evenings. Want to know which option suits your group best? View our Amsterdam Light Festival offering or contact us for personal advice.
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