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Light Festival Amsterdam 2026/2027 – Dates, Tickets & Canal Cruise Guide
November 26, 2026 @ 5:00 pm – January 17, 2027 @ 10:00 pm
Amsterdam Light Festival is an annual outdoor light art exhibition held on and along the canals of Amsterdam each winter. The 15th edition runs from 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027, featuring a brand-new route through the city and artworks by local and international artists. The light art is freely accessible for everyone. For a guided experience, book a Light Festival canal cruise cruise, walking tour, or bike tour.
Amsterdam Light Festival
Amsterdam Light Festival transforms the canals of Amsterdam into an open-air museum of light art each winter. During the dark months, (inter)national artists place their illuminated works on, along and above the water, turning one of Europe’s most beautiful historic city centres into a glowing canvas.
The 15th edition — running from Thursday 26 November 2026 to Sunday 17 January 2027 — is a milestone. To mark fifteen years of light art in the city, the festival introduces a brand-new route through Amsterdam, alongside free events and side programming along the way. Artists from the Netherlands and abroad were invited to respond to this anniversary, creating works that reflect on the city, its people, and the role of light art in public space.
The light artworks are freely visible to everyone — no ticket needed to walk past them. For a curated experience with commentary on the artworks, book a canal cruise, guided bike tour, or purchase the walking route map via the app.
Tickets for canal cruises and walk experiences go on sale 1 October 2026
Edition 15 — 15 Years of Light Art in Amsterdam
The 2026/2027 edition marks fifteen years since Amsterdam Light Festival first lit up the canals. For this anniversary edition, the festival has commissioned local and international artists to create works that speak to the residents and visitors of Amsterdam — past, present, and future.
In addition to the light artworks, the festival is organising free events and side programming along the new route. More details on participating artists, artworks, and events will be announced in the months ahead.
Light Festival Cruises
The best way to experience the Amsterdam Light Festival is from the canals of Amsterdam. Various canal cruises follow the special Light Festival route, offering insights into the light artworks through live commentary or an audio guide. Several official partner cruise companies provide this unique experience. Explore the range of official Light Festival partners below and easily book your ideal canal cruise.
Light Festival canal cruise: heated, comfortable canal boat from Amsterdam North (2 minutes with free ferry from Amsterdam Central Station)
One of the best locations to start your Light Festival canal cruise is Amsterdam North. Take the free ferry (F3) from Amsterdam Central Station and reach the start location in just 2 minutes. With Amsterdam Boat Cruises, you’ll sail in a comfortable, 100% electric boat, past iconic spots such as the NEMO Science Museum, the Scheepvaartmuseum and the Skinny Bridge. Along the way, admire the stunning light artworks along the canals. Your skipper provides live commentary about the city of Amsterdam and the most impressive works of art. Parking is easy at A’DAM Parking. Reserve your spot and enjoy this unique experience!
- Official partner of Amsterdam Light Festival
- Personal host explains works of art (English, Dutch)
- Comfortable and heated canal boat
- 75-minute cruise
- Departure from Amsterdam North (at A’DAM Tower)
- Book your canal cruise online now
Prices Light Festival canal cruise from Amsterdam Boat Cruises
| Light Festival canal cruise | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults (14+) | € 29.75 |
| Child (3-13) | € 14.90 |
| Child (0-2) | Free |
| Groups of 20+ people | Request a quote |
Current ticket availability for Amsterdam Boat Cruises
Check current availability below and easily book your Light Festival canal cruise from Amsterdam Boat Cruises.
Light Festival canal cruise: luxury, heated saloon boat from Amsterdam Central Station, including option for unlimited drinks
Experience the Amsterdam Light Festival in luxury with Flagship. Enjoy a 75-minute cruise on an electric salon boat with a personal host and skipper explaining the artworks in Dutch and English. Along the way, enjoy unlimited mulled wine, beer, wine and soft drinks (optional). The canal cruise departs from Prins Hendrikkade 33A (in front of Central Station).
- Official partner of Amsterdam Light Festival
- Personal host and skipper (Dutch, English)
- Optional: unlimited mulled wine and drinks
- 75-minute cruise
- Heated and covered luxury boat
- Departure location: Prins Hendrikkade 33A (in front of Central Station)
- Book your canal cruise online now
Prices Light Festival canal cruise from Flagship
Check out the current prices of this Light Festival canal cruise below.
| Luxury Light Festival canal cruise | from Price |
|---|---|
| No drink or snack | € 29.75 |
| Unlimited drinks | € 39.75 |
| Kids ticket (3-11) | € 19.90 |
| Kids ticket (0-2) | Free |
| Groups of 20 persons or more | Request a quote |
Current availability of canal cruise tickets at Flagship
Check current availability and easily book your luxury Light Festival canal cruise at Flagship.
Light Festival Canal Cruise: heated, comfortable canal boat from Amsterdam Central Station
Enjoy a comfortable cruise past the illuminated artworks of the Light Festival Amsterdam in one of Lovers Canal Cruises‘ heated canal boats. The many windows give you a perfect view of the light artworks and Amsterdam. These canal cruises depart directly in front of Amsterdam Central Station. Parking is available at Q-Park Central Station.
- Official partner of Amsterdam Light Festival
- Learn all about the works of art with the audio guide (Dutch, English)
- Comfortable and heated canal boat
- 75-minute cruise
- Departure directly in front of Amsterdam Central Station
- Book your canal cruise online now
Prices Light Festival canal cruise from Lovers
Check out the current prices of this Light Festival canal cruise below.
| Light Festival Cruise with start from Amsterdam Central Station | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults (13+) | € 29.75 |
| Child (4-12) | € 14.90 |
| Child (0-3) | Free |
| Groups of 20 persons or more | Request a quote |
Current availability at Lovers
Check current availability below and easily book your Light Festival canal cruise with Lovers.
Light Festival canal cruise: small group, including drinks & snacks, from Amstel (near Rembrandtplein)
Discover the magic of the Amsterdam Light Festival with Starboard on a unique 75-minute cruise. Enjoy artworks in a small group while relaxing on a partially covered, electric boat. Warm blankets will keep you comfortable, while you can enjoy unlimited drinks such as beer, wine, mulled wine, soft drinks, coffee and tea, along with delicious snacks. A knowledgeable captain and host ensure an unforgettable experience. The canal cruise departs from Amstel 178 (near Rembrandtplein). Perfect for a cosy, eco-friendly evening full of atmosphere and art!
- Official partner of Amsterdam Light Festival
- Small group for a personalised experience
- Partly covered, electric boat
- Warm blankets on board
- Unlimited drinks and snacks
- Knowledgeable captain and host
- Departure location: Amstel 178 (near Rembrandtplein)
- Book your canal cruise online now
Prices Light Festival cruise from Starboard
Check out the current prices of a luxury Light Festival canal cruise below.
| Cruise + drinks & snack | Price |
|---|---|
| Light Festival Cruise without drinks | € 27.50 |
| Light Festival Cruise unlimited drinks & snacks | € 35.00 |
| Groups of 20 persons or more | Request a quote |
Current availability of Starboard round trip tickets
Check current availability below and easily book your luxury Light Festival roundtrip cruise from Starboard.
Light Festival canal cruise: heated, comfortable canal boat from Damrak (near Dam)
Enjoy the beautiful light artworks of the Light Festival Amsterdam from a comfortable canal boat from Stromma. You cruise through Amsterdam’s canals in an electric tour boat. From the boat, you have a perfect view of the artworks and can take the best photos. The live guide on board will tell you all about the artworks. These tours leave from the Damrak directly in front of Amsterdam Central Station. Parking is available at Q-Park Centraal Station or Q-Park de Bijenkorf.
- Official partner of Amsterdam Light Festival
- Personal host explains works of art (English, Dutch)
- Comfortable and heated canal boat
- One drink (Hot Choco)
- 75-minute cruise
- Departure from Damrak (near Dam Square)
- Book your canal cruise online now
Prices Light Festival canal cruise from Stromma
Check out the current prices of this Light Festival canal cruise below.
| Tickets Light Festival cruise | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults (13+) | € 28.75 |
| Child (4-12) | € 15.67 |
| Child (0-3) | Free |
| Groups of 20 persons or more | Request a quote |
Current availability at Stromma
Check current availability below and easily book your Light Festival canal cruise with Stromma.
Private Amsterdam Light Festival Boat Tours
Experience the magic of the Amsterdam Light Festival on a private boat with your own group. Sail past the illuminated artworks in comfort, with flexible departure times and heated boats for a cozy winter experience. Choose your preferred boat below (for 8 or 12 guests), check real-time prices and availability, and book your private Light Festival cruise instantly online.
max. 8 guests
max. 12 guests
max. 12 guests
Opening hours Light Festival
The Light Festival’s light artworks are on every day. The canal boats start between 4:30 pm – 10 pm. During the Winter Festival (26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027), the lights are on every day. On New Year’s Eve, the light artworks will be switched off.
| Weekday | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 5 pm – 10 pm |
| Tuesday | 5 pm – 10 pm |
| Wednesday | 5 pm – 11 pm |
| Thursday | 5 pm – 11 pm |
| Friday | 5 pm – 11 pm |
| Saturday | 5 pm – 11 pm |
| Sunday | 5 pm – 10 pm |
Route and departure locations
The Amsterdam Light Festival 2026/2027 features a brand-new route through the city — a departure from previous editions. A canal cruise gives you the best view of the light artworks as you sail past the installations. Departure locations for the various cruise operators are shown on the map below.
The full route map will be published closer to the start of the festival on 26 November 2026.
Light Festival Bike Tour
See the works of light art in Amsterdam in the most Dutch way with the Light Festival bike tour. This 90 minutes guided Light Festival bike tour takes you to the most beautiful locations in wintery Amsterdam. The tour departs at 4.00 pm every day during the Light Festival. The tour starts and ends at Flagsghip Bike Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 101, Amsterdam.
| Tickets | Price |
|---|---|
| Light Festival Bike tour | € 21.90 |
Light Festival Walking Route
Want to explore the Light Festival under your own steam? The self-guided walking route covers the full Light Festival route. Via the Light Festival app, you can follow the route at your own pace and read background information on each artwork. The walking route is 6.5 kilometres.
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Route map (app) | € 6.99 |
FAQ — Amsterdam Light Festival 2026/2027
Amsterdam Light Festival 2026/2027 runs from Thursday 26 November 2026 to Sunday 17 January 2027 — a total of 53 days. The light artworks are on display every evening during this period, except on New Year’s Eve.
Yes — the light artworks are freely accessible to everyone. You can walk the route at no cost. Tickets are required for the guided experiences: canal cruises start from €27.50, the guided bike tour costs €21.90, and the self-guided walking route map costs €6.99 via the app.
The 2026/2027 edition is the 15th anniversary of the festival. To mark this milestone, the festival has introduced a brand-new route through Amsterdam and is organising free side events and additional programming alongside the light artworks. Local and international artists were invited especially for this anniversary edition.
A canal cruise gives you the closest view of the light installations — many artworks are placed on or above the water. Cruises last 75 minutes and include live commentary or an audio guide. Alternatively, you can walk the 6.5 km route independently or join a 90-minute guided bike tour.
Tickets for canal cruises and walk experiences go on sale on 1 October 2026. Some cruise operators already accept bookings — check the availability widgets above.
The walking route is 6.5 kilometres. Canal cruises cover the route in approximately 75 minutes. The guided bike tour takes 90 minutes.
Amsterdam Light Festival takes place on and along the canals of Amsterdam. The 2026/2027 edition features a brand-new route through the city. Canal cruise departure points include Amsterdam Central Station (Prins Hendrikkade and Damrak), Amstel/Rembrandtplein, and Amsterdam Noord.
Hotel during the Light Festival Amsterdam
Would you like to enjoy the Light Festival Amsterdam and the other winter activities in the city? Then book a hotel in Amsterdam. The winter period is popular every year so book your hotel in time. Check the map below for current availability and prices.
Booking.comWinter Festival Map
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