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Light Festival Amsterdam 2026/2027
November 26, 2026 @ 5:00 pm – January 17, 2027 @ 10:00 pm
Amsterdam Light Festival will be held this winter season from 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027. In this 15th edition, the event takes you into the world of Legacy. Come and enjoy the works of light art on, along and in the Canals of Amsterdam. Want to fully enjoy the light artworks? Then book your Light Festival canal cruise in time and enjoy a magical cruise through Amsterdam’s canals.
Amsterdam Light Festival
During the dark winter months, the open-air light exhibition ‘Light Festival Amsterdam‘ transforms the Amsterdam canals into a unique canvas for light art. During this 15th season, more than 20 wondrous works of art can be seen on a route along Amsterdam’s canals. The light spectacle lasts 53 days and starts on Thursday 26 November 2026 and lasts until Sunday 17 January 2027.
Theme 2025/2026: ‘World of Legacy’
During this fourteenth season of the Light Festival Amsterdam, you will be taken into the world of Legacy. Questions such as ‘how do we want to be remembered?’, ‘how do we see our future?’ and ‘what will we leave behind for future generations?’ are addressed. Wander with us through a realm where the oldest customs are revived, where every ceremony bridges the past and our deepest wishes for tomorrow. Embark on a voyage of discovery through Amsterdam’s canals.
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: 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 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: 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 Light Festival route runs largely along the Herengracht in the centre of Amsterdam. A canal cruise gives you the best view of the light artworks. The canal boat sails past the light artworks. The map also shows the different starting locations of the canal cruises and you can easily book your canal cruise.
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 route (walking tour & self-drive)
Want to sail or walk the Light Festival route yourself? You can. Via the special Light Festival app, you can easily follow the route and get explanations about the light artworks. The walking route is 6.5 kilometres.
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Route map | € 6.99 |
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
Populair links
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