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Amsterdam Light Festival Canal Cruise 2024-2025
- Sail through Amsterdam's revered Light Festival on a 75-minute luxurious boat cruise.
- Discover 20+ stunning light installations, reflecting themes of AI and digital tech, illuminating the city’s iconic canals.
- Delve into the fascinating stories behind the art pieces and uncover the city's rich history with an English-speaking skipper host.
- Enjoy the view from a luxury, eco-friendly electric boat and opt for the most convenient departure point.
- Upgrade to make your evening extra special with unlimited drinks on board. Choose from wine, beer, sodas, and more.
- Sail through Amsterdam's revered Light Festival on a 75-minute luxurious boat cruise.
- Discover 20+ stunning light installations, reflecting themes of AI and digital tech, illuminating the city’s iconic canals.
- Delve into the fascinating stories behind the art pieces and uncover the city's rich history with an English-speaking skipper host.
- Enjoy the view from a luxury, eco-friendly electric boat and opt for the most convenient departure point.
- Upgrade to make your evening extra special with unlimited drinks on board. Choose from wine, beer, sodas, and more.
Inclusions
- 75-min canal cruise in a luxury, electric boat
- English-speaking host
- Unlimited mulled wine, wine, beer, and soft drinks (optional)
- Warm blankets (optional)
- Tip: Dress warmly as it can be chilly at night in Amsterdam, especially during winter.
- Pets and animals are not allowed in the experience. Only guide dogs are allowed.
- The tour is not wheelchair accessible.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Top things to do in Amsterdam
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What is the Amsterdam Light Festival?
The Amsterdam Light Festival (ALF) offers a unique chance to witness a fusion of art and technology. Renowned artists come together to create mesmerizing light installations, showcased along the historic canals. The festival creates a warm and festive atmosphere during the winter months, making it an ideal time to experience the city's hospitality and culinary delights. This annual art festival has been taking place at the heart of Amsterdam since 2012. From several hundred submissions, only around 20 of them are displayed along the canals.
Why take the Amsterdam Light Festival canal cruise
- Scenic beauty: Booking a canal cruise is the most picturesque way to experience the city's iconic Light Festival. It offers a unique vantage point to look at the installations and other historical landmarks along the waters with a sweeping 360-degree view of the art installations.
- Guided cruises: Most canal cruises include an audio guide or a live guide who shares anecdotes and stories about the city's landmarks. You can listen to them while floating along the waters.
- Evening ambiance: The Amsterdam Light Festival begins at 5pm and continues until 11pm. In addition to the art installations, you can also experience the illuminated city, making for a memorable experience.
- Family-friendly: A canal cruise is suitable for all ages, making it an ideal family activity that everyone can participate in. You can enjoy the art installations from a warm space. You can also rush back inside in case it rains.
What to see at the Amsterdam Light Festival
The Amsterdam Light Festival is organized with installations of artworks that are created especially for the festival. Along with all that, special education projects in which primary students and Breitner Academy take part, are installed. The artworks are displayed in public spaces all over Amsterdam near the canals, making them easily accessible.
Permanent light art installations
As the festival spreads from the Sloterplas to the city district South, several light art installations displayed on the different editions of the Amsterdam Light Festival also find their place in the permanent collection. It includes works of artists like Tijdmakers and collaborators like Uilenstede University Campus.
International light art collection
The light art displayed at the Amsterdam Light Festival is too good to be stored away once the festival is over. So to ensure that they receive their due recognition, most of the light artworks become part of an internationally traveling collection, managed by the Light Art Collection, illuminating cities, and exhibitions worldwide.
Nieuw-West project
This is the current project of the Amsterdam Light Festival, in which the area of Amsterdam Nieuw West will see a major change as it gets redesigned as the Municipality of Amsterdam. It will also find an installation of permanent light art, with several other artworks finding their place in public spaces in the near future.
Plan your visit
Timings
Facilities
Rules
Visitor tips
Amsterdam Light Festival: Daily from November 28 to January 19
Opening hours: 5pm to 11pm
- Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise with Optional Drinks: 4:45pm to 9:45pm | 75 mins
- Amsterdam Light Festival Evening Cruise from Hard Rock Cafe: 5pm to 9pm | 90 mins
- A live English-speaking guide is available on the Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise with Optional Drinks.
- An audio guide in English and Dutch is available on the 1.5-Hour Amsterdam Light Festival Evening Cruise from Hard Rock Cafe.
- Unlimited drinks, including beer, soft drinks, and mulled wine, are available on the Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise with Optional Drinks.
- Although the boats are heated, blankets are available on the Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise with Optional Drinks if you want to admire the view from the open deck.
- Pets, with the exception of guide dogs, are not allowed on the cruises.
- Adhere to safety guidelines provided by cruise operators for a secure and enjoyable experience.
- Smoking is not permitted on any cruise.
- Outside food and beverages are not allowed onboard the cruise. You can, however, purchase snacks at the operator ticket counter before boarding.
- Please carry a valid ID when boarding the Amsterdam Light Festival canal cruise.
- If you plan to take a walking tour to view the art installations, make sure to wear comfortable, closed shoes, as it is a 6.5 km walk along the canals.
- Keep the Festival of Lights route map handy to make the most of your visit.
- Dress warmly, layer up, and bring a coat for comfort during the chilly winter.
- Arrive at least 15 minutes before to facilitate a smooth boarding process and make the most of the canal cruise. This will also let you score the best seats on the boat.
- Utilize the bilingual audio or live guide for insights into the artworks and an enriched experience. Engage with the crew for additional insights and recommendations.
- Photography is encouraged, and the illuminated art pieces make for stunning pictures. Just make sure to have a good camera or phone with low-light capabilities.
- Evening cruises, especially on weekends and holidays, can get quite busy. For a more relaxed experience, consider booking a cruise earlier in the week or during off-peak hours.
Getting there
Centraal Station
- By bus: 305, 314, 347, 397, 41
- By train: IC, ICD, SPR
- By metro: 52, 54
- By light rail: 12, 14, 17, 2, 4
Starboard dock
- By metro: Lines 52 and 54
- By tram: 4 and 14
Frequently asked questions about the Amsterdam Light Festival canal cruise
Who organizes the Amsterdam Light Festival?
Amsterdam Light Festival is a private initiative organized by the joint collaboration of the municipality, cultural organizations, and commercial organizations to provide a platform for artists to showcase their innovative pieces.
How can I enjoy the Amsterdam Light Festival?
Tourists and visitors can enjoy the light festival in several ways. You can either choose a walking tour or book an Amsterdam canal cruise. It is a long walk, around 6.5 km. If you have limited mobility or toddlers, and infants with you, it is best to book a canal cruise. Not only are you in a warm space, protected from the rain, but you can also enjoy free Wi-Fi and multilingual audio guides on a canal cruise.
What makes the Amsterdam Light Festival cruise unique?
This cruise combines the beauty of Amsterdam's UNESCO World Heritage canals with an artistic light show, making it a one-of-a-kind winter event. It's the best way to view the light installations, many of which are best seen from the water.
Can I bring my kids on the Amsterdam Light Festival cruise?
Yes, the cruise is family-friendly and a great way to introduce children to art and culture. Kids will love the colorful light displays, and some cruises even offer discounted family tickets.
What if the weather is bad?
The cruise operates in most weather conditions since the boats are covered and heated. However, in case of extreme weather, the cruise might be canceled, and you will be offered a rescheduled time or a refund.
Can I rent a private boat for the festival?
Yes, several providers offer private boat rentals for groups. This option is perfect for corporate events, family gatherings, or anyone looking for a more intimate experience. You can email the cruise operator to book your cruise directly.
What types of boats are used for the festival cruises?
The boats are typically glass-topped enclosed or semi-open electric boats, offering panoramic views of the light installations while keeping passengers warm and dry.
Is the cruise suitable for solo travelers?
Definitely! The Amsterdam Light Festival cruise is a fantastic option for solo travelers looking to explore the city’s culture and art scene in a relaxed and scenic setting.
Are there daytime cruises during the festival?
The evening cruises are the highlight of the festival as the light installations are designed to be viewed at night. Daytime cruises may be available, but the lights are not illuminated during the day.
Do I need to tip the crew at the end of the cruise?
Tipping is not mandatory, but if you enjoyed the service, a small tip for the crew is always appreciated.
Can I buy souvenirs related to the Amsterdam Light Festival during the cruise?
Some cruises may have small souvenir shops near the departure points. Alternatively, you can find festival souvenirs at local shops near the departure points.