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Amsterdam Light Festival

Amsterdam Light Festival

A unique experience in Amsterdam

From 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027, Amsterdam will once again be transformed into an open-air museum brimming with light art: the Amsterdam Light Festival is back for its 15th edition. Artists from all over the world will illuminate the canals with dozens of artworks — and nowhere is the view more beautiful than from the water. With Bootuitjes, you’ll cruise past them in private, with an experienced skipper who knows the route like the back of his hand. You just hop on board; we’ll take care of the rest. Ready for the most beautiful winter evening of the year?

timer Amsterdam Light Festival starts in 40 days!

What is the Amsterdam Light Festival?

The Amsterdam Light Festival is the Netherlands’ premier light art festival. Every winter, artists from all over the world create light artworks especially for Amsterdam’s canals. The artworks hang above the water, float in the canal or are projected onto the canal-side buildings. The 15th edition is a celebratory one: the festival is marking fifteen years of light art in the city. For over fifty evenings, Amsterdam provides the backdrop — and the water is the best place to see it all.

Het Amsterdam Light Festival

Dates and opening hours for the 15th edition

• When: Thursday 26 November 2026 to Sunday 17 January 2027

• Opening hours: the light artworks are switched on daily as soon as it gets dark, from approximately 5.00 pm to 11.00 pm

• Where: along the canals in the centre of Amsterdam, including on and around the Amstel and the eastern canal belt

• Theme: the theme for the 15th edition will be announced in the autumn — the theme for the 14th edition was ‘Legacy’

The route: light art along the canals

Together, all the artworks form a single route through the centre of Amsterdam. As is traditional, it runs along the Amstel and through the eastern canal belt. You can view some of the artworks on foot, but the route is designed to be explored by boat: many works hang over the water and can only be fully appreciated from a boat. No crowds on the quay, but the best front-row seats. As soon as the final route for the 15th edition is announced, you’ll find a map showing all the artworks here.

amsterdam light festival verlichte brug rondvaartboten

Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour: a private tour taking in all the artworks

Not a packed canal boat with fogged-up windows, but your very own boat with just your group. On a private canal cruise, you set the pace, choose the music and decide what’s on the menu. Our skippers know the route off by heart and will tell you all about the artworks along the way. A drinks party, a date or a winter team outing? You’ll be on board in no time.

Amsterdam Light Festival on a saloon boat

Heated saloon boat

The classic choice for a winter’s evening: a historic saloon boat with a heated cabin. Warm and dry behind the glass, with a drink in hand, whilst the light displays glide past. From €225 per hour, accommodating up to 75 people.

View the saloon boats

Open boat with blankets

Prefer to feel the winter air? On an open boat, you’re right in the thick of it — with warm blankets on board and nothing between you and the light art. From €197.50 per hour.

Take a look at the sloops
Amsterdam Light Festival on a sloop

Zij gingen je voor!

5 star rating

We had a great time! The boat arrived on time, the food and drink on board were excellent, and the captain was lovely. My guests from America really enjoyed themselves and thought it was fantastic!

Bart Verhoeff
5 star rating

We had a company outing on the BBQ boat, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a lovely atmosphere and the food was delicious. Definitely worth booking for a large group.

Julia van den Broek
5 star rating

We had a lovely trip with our children and grandchildren. We saw lots of things, had some lovely food and, of course, it was great that the little ones got to have a go at steering too. In short, it was brilliant!

Tonnie van der Zouwen
5 star rating

A user-friendly website where you can easily combine hiring a boat with a meal and an activity!

Oeke van Boekel
5 star rating

Fantastic! Captain Cas gave us a really lovely boat trip!

W.M. Au
5 star rating

Fantastic! I’d book it again in a heartbeat. We celebrated my mum’s 70th birthday on De Zonneboot and skipper Koen was so friendly and cheerful. A lovely cruise.

Maria Smit
5 star rating

A well-maintained boat with high-quality drinks and snacks. The guide gave us an excellent explanation and lots of historical facts. Definitely recommended!

Sacha Maes
5 star rating

Brilliant!! It was a fantastic Bachelorette’s party with the stripper. The skipper and the person who looked after us were incredibly friendly!

Lisa
5 star rating

A fantastic experience for a stag party. It was very cosy for 11 of us. The drinks were really well organised. There was even coffee and tea waiting for us. The skipper was friendly and, despite working a double shift, took the time for a chat at the end. We’ll definitely be back.

Ferry Tegelaar
5 star rating

Fantastic. We had a wonderful time. The lunch was delicious and the helmsman and cook went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable. All the guests thought it was a brilliant experience.

Yvonne Zwart
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Dinner cruise during the Amsterdam Light Festival

Make it a complete evening out and combine the light tour with a meal on board. From canapés and drinks to a full à la carte dinner: our caterer will prepare it all whilst the skipper navigates the most beautiful route. No need to book a table in a busy restaurant – simply dine whilst the artworks float past. Packages from €44 per person.

Amsterdam Light Festival with children

The festival is great fun even with children: the light art installations are free to view and the early evening is ideal for a short boat trip. In our blog, you can read all our tips for a Light Festival evening with the whole family.

→ Read also: Amsterdam Light Festival with children – is it possible?

Amsterdam light artwork: a chandelier made from light

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it warm on board?

All the saloon boats are heated. Blankets are provided on the sloops and saloon boats, so you can snuggle up under one whilst the lights glide by. It is, after all, a winter’s evening on the water: make sure you wear warm clothes so you can enjoy the whole trip.

When is the best time to go on a Light Festival boat tour?

It’s quietest on the water on weekdays and in the early evening. In December, we recommend booking well in advance — the weekends around the festive season fill up quickly.

Can I also follow the route on foot?

Yes, certainly, some of the artworks can be seen from the quay. But the route has been designed with the water in mind: many of the works hang over the canal and really come into their own when viewed from a boat.

How much does a canal cruise cost during the Amsterdam Light Festival?

Boat tours start from €18.10 per person. You can hire a private boat with a skipper from €197.50 per hour (open sloop) or €225 per hour (salon boat). Please feel free to request a free, no-obligation quote.

Do I need tickets for the Amsterdam Light Festival?

No, viewing the light art installations is free — both from the quay and from the water. You only pay for your boat tour or private boat.

When is the Amsterdam Light Festival 2026/2027?

Edition 15 runs from Thursday 26 November 2026 to Sunday 17 January 2027. The light artworks are switched on every evening as soon as it gets dark, from around 5.30 pm to 11.00 pm.

Can we order food and drinks for on board?

Yes, you can reserve food with your request. When requesting a quote, you can choose from our popular food and drink packages. Check out our food book for the full selection, and feel free to ask us about all the possibilities.

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