The artworks of the Amsterdam Light Festival are located along the Amsterdam canals, primarily in the historic city centre. The route runs along the Keizersgracht, Herengracht, Prinsengracht and Reguliersgracht, with extensions towards the Amstel. Each year, around 20 light artworks can be seen, spread across several kilometres of water and quayside. In this article, you can read exactly where the works are located, how to find them, and which locations make the greatest impression.
Which canals and waterways does the festival cross?
The Amsterdam Light Festival follows a fixed water route through the heart of Amsterdam. The route runs along the Keizersgracht, Herengracht, Prinsengracht and Reguliersgracht, with connections to the Amstel and sometimes the IJ. These are the classic, wide canals of the canal ring, which are especially atmospheric in winter due to the reflection of the light artworks in the dark water.
The route is designed so that visitors can see as many works as possible in one trip, whether on foot, by bike, or by boat. Most installations hang above the water or stand on the quaysides along these canals, which makes the festival special: it is literally a route through the city that can be experienced in multiple ways.
Beyond the canal ring, the route sometimes extends to the Amstel, where larger installations have more space. Depending on the year and the specific edition, there may also be works at the Museumplein or on the edge of the city centre, but the core of the festival always takes place on and along the canals.
How many artworks are there and how are they spread out?
During the Amsterdam Light Festival, there are typically around 20 light artworks to see. These are spread across the entire route of several kilometres, so that during a walk, bike ride, or boat trip you continually encounter new installations. The works are not clustered in one place, but are deliberately spread along the route to bring the city as a whole to life.
The installations vary greatly in size and execution. Some works are large and imposing, hanging above a wide canal. Others are intimate and tucked away in an alley or on a bridge. This variety makes the route interesting: you never quite know what you will find around the next corner.
In addition to the fixed route along the water, there are often works to be seen on squares or at cultural institutions nearby. The Amsterdam Light Festival is therefore not only an event on the water, but a city-wide experience that invites you to discover Amsterdam in a new way.
Can you also view the artworks on foot or by bike?
Yes, the artworks of the Amsterdam Light Festival are easy to view on foot or by bike. The official festival route is fully mapped out for walkers and cyclists and is freely accessible. You can download the route via the festival website or use the festival app, which guides you step by step past all the works.
On foot along the canals
Walking is the most relaxed way to view the works up close. You can stop at every installation, walk around it, and take a good look at the details. Allow two to three hours for the full route. The quaysides along the Herengracht and Keizersgracht are wide enough for a comfortable walk, even when it is busy. Combine it with a stop at a nearby café or restaurant for a warm drink or a bite to eat.
By bike through the canal ring
Cycling is the fastest way to do the entire route and gives you the freedom to set your own pace. You can easily pass all the works in one and a half to two hours. Please note: on weekends and busy evenings the quaysides can be very crowded, meaning you will regularly need to dismount. Renting a bike in Amsterdam is straightforward; there are rental points spread throughout the city centre.
Where are the most spectacular installations located?
The most impressive installations of the Amsterdam Light Festival are typically found on the wide waterways, such as the Amstel and the Keizersgracht. Here there is enough space for large, imposing works that hang above the water or float directly on it. The reflection in the water greatly enhances the effect, especially on calm evenings.
Specific locations that stand out year after year include the bridges along the Reguliersgracht, where seven bridges are visible in a single line, and the corners of the Herengracht and Keizersgracht, where the bends in the canal form a natural stage for large installations. The Amstel near the Magere Brug is also a popular location for striking works, partly because the water is wider here and the works have more space.
If you want to get a good view of the large installations on the water, a boat trip is the best option. From the water, you see the works from the perspective for which they were designed. A boat trip along the Amsterdam Light Festival brings you to exactly the right distance and angle to let the installations come into their own.
How do you find the artworks during the festival?
The easiest way to find all the artworks is via the official festival app or the route map on the Amsterdam Light Festival website. Both are freely available and show the exact locations of all installations, including information about the artists and the works themselves. The app also works as navigation, so you won’t miss any work.
In addition, physical route maps are available at various points around the city, such as at the VVV and at some hotels in the city centre. On busy evenings, you can also simply follow the route by following the crowd: the most popular works automatically attract the most visitors.
Please note that the exact locations of the works may vary per edition. It is therefore wise to check the route map for the current season before you set off. The festival takes place annually from November through January, with the dark winter evenings allowing the light artworks to be seen at their best.
How Rederij De Nederlanden helps you discover the Amsterdam Light Festival
Would you like to see the light artworks on the water, from the perspective for which they were created? With us, you can choose from three options:
- Custom Private Cruise: a fully tailored private cruise, including your own choice of boat, catering, drinks, and boarding location. Ideal for companies, large groups, or anyone with specific wishes. From €250 per hour, minimum 2 hours.
- Private Cruise Packages: pre-arranged packages with a fixed price per person, including boat hire, skipper, crew, and catering. The boat is always exclusively for your group. From €47.50 per person, suitable for groups of 15 or more. Think of a Light Festival cruise for groups with a buffet or walking dinner on board.
- Shared Tickets: a shared cruise for couples, individual visitors, and small groups of up to 6 people. The cruise lasts 75 minutes, follows the official festival route, and departs three times a day. Includes an English-speaking guide, bookable directly online from €32 per person.
We are an official partner of the Amsterdam Light Festival and our skippers know the route like no other. Our boats are covered and heated, so you can comfortably enjoy the artworks even on cold winter evenings. With more than 150 possible boarding locations in Amsterdam, we arrange the logistics entirely according to your wishes.
Would you like a private cruise for your group, or do you have questions about the options? View our offering on the private boat page for the Amsterdam Light Festival or contact us for a custom quote.