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Amsterdam Light Festival Canal Cruise 2023-2024
4.5(5.7K Ratings)
Amsterdam Light Festival Canal Cruise with Optional Unlimited Drinks
- Sail through Amsterdam's enchanting Light Festival on a semi-open, eco-friendly boat.
- Witness 24 innovative light installations reflecting the theme of AI and digital tech.
- The route includes Amsterdam's iconic illuminated bridges, enhancing the visual spectacle.
- Upgrade your ticket to get unlimited drinks on board, you get to choose from wine, beer, or warming mulled wine.
Inclusions
- Canal cruise in a semi-open boat
- Unlimited mulled wine, wine, beer, and soft drinks (optional)
- Host
- 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.
1.5-Hour Amsterdam Light Festival Blue Boat Company Evening Cruise
- As part of its 12th edition, Amsterdam Light Festival invites guests to enter a realm of creative expression with the theme 'Imagine Beyond'.
- Get insights into the displays and exhibits onboard using an audioguide available in Dutch and English.
- Step aboard a boat and behold the spectacular Amsterdam Light Festival and view vibrant art installations and projections in a cosy heated cabin or admire them on the outer deck.
- Embark on a captivating evening boat tour of the realm of creativity with over 20 carefully curated pieces of light art from local and international artists.
Inclusions
- 1.5hr Amsterdam Light Festival evening cruise
- Audio Guide - Dutch & English
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise
- Hop onboard for a cruise across the Amstel River and witness the incredible Amsterdam Light Festival.
- Sail from the IJ to the Amstel River and pass iconic landmarks like Nemo and the Maritime Museum.
- Listen to fascinating insights into the 20 illuminated artworks, their artists, and the themes from an expert skipper.
- An audio guide in 6 languages is also available for a deeper understanding of the historic buildings and charming bridges.
Inclusions
- 75/90-min canal cruise
- 20 light artworks
- Audio guide
- Headphones
- Free WiFi onboard
- The audio guide is available in English, Spanish, Italian, German, French and Dutch.
- Waiting time can occur even with a timeslot due to large crowds.
- 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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Amsterdam Light Festival 2023 | Edition #12
The Amsterdam Light Festival offers a unique chance to witness a stunning fusion of art and technology. Renowned artists from around the world come together to create mesmerizing light installations, that are showcased along the historic canals. The festival creates a warm and festive atmosphere during the chilly 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. Any passer-by walking along the canals or floating away on a cruise can watch the displays light up from 5 PM to 11 PM. On New Year's Eve, the light artworks will be switched off at 8 PM.
The Amsterdam Light Festival is a private initiative that happens to be a grand celebration organized by the joint collaboration of the board and management, including the municipality, cultural organizations, and commercial organizations. The selection board for the Light Festival consists of representatives from different organizations in the city.
Amsterdam Light Festival 2023 Highlights
Technology and artificial intelligence (AI) have profoundly impacted our daily lives across various aspects. Communication has evolved with messaging apps, social media platforms, and video conferencing, allowing us to connect with people globally. The internet and AI-powered search engines have revolutionized how we access information, influencing our learning, decision-making, and staying informed. The #12 Edition of the Amsterdam Light Festival pushes you to examine the impact of technology and artificial intelligence in your daily lives.
Amsterdam Canals
Amsterdam Canals form concentric belts around the city, stretching over 100 miles with 90 islands and 1500 bridges. The Amsterdam Light Festival offers a chance to float along these historic canals and witness exemplary art installations. Over 1550 historical buildings were built on these canals, making it a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Art Installations
The Amsterdam Light Festival is an initiative to showcase innovative art pieces. It contributes to the city's vibrant cultural scene, inviting residents and tourists to explore the Amsterdam art scene in a new light. Currently, in its edition #12, the festival is urging artists to explore the impact of technology and AI in our daily lives.
360 Degree View
Experience the Amsterdam Light Festival from a unique vantage point- sailing through its iconic canals. You can enjoy sweeping 360-degree views of the art installations from one of these cruise boats. You can also look at Amsterdam's oldest historical landmarks while cruising along its canals, most of which are situated close to the waters.
Luxurious Cruise Ride
The Amsterdam Light Festival Canal Cruise provides a luxurious way to enjoy the spectacular installations. The 75-minute ride comes with free Wi-Fi onboard, an audio guide in Dutch and English, and headphones to make your experience more informative and memorable. You can also snack on refreshments while watching the artworks and historic buildings pass by.
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 take in the other historical landmarks along the waters.
- Audio Guide: Most canal cruises include an audio guide that shares anecdotes and stories about the city's landmarks. You can listen to them while floating along the waters.
- Cultural Immersion: Immerse yourself in the heart of Amsterdam's culture by booking a canal cruise. Sail along the city's historic canals and pass by landmarks, museums, and local neighborhoods.
- Evening Ambiance: The Amsterdam Light Festival begins at 5 PM and continues until 11 PM. Consider booking an evening cruise to look at the art installations. You can also experience the illuminated city, making for a memorable experience.
- Weather-Proof: Booking an Amsterdam canal cruise ensures that you can enjoy the art installations from a warm space. You can also rush back inside in case it rains.
- Family-Friendly: A canal cruise is suitable for all ages, making it an ideal family activity that everyone can participate in. If you have toddlers or infants in your family, consider booking a canal cruise to enjoy the light festival.
Plan Your Visit to the Amsterdam Light Festival
Timings
Canal Cruise Timings
Getting There
Accessibility & Inclusions
Edition #12 Amsterdam Light Festival Dates
- Daily from 30th November 2023 to 21st January 2024
Opening Hours:
- General Timings: 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- New Year’s Eve Timings: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Amsterdam Light Festival Canal Cruises are scheduled as per the festival timings. Here are the timing details of the Amsterdam Light Festival Canal Cruise:
Amsterdam Light Festival: Canal Cruise Timings
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Time Slots: From 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM
From Amsterdam Central Station:
- Bus: 305, 314, 347, 397, 41
- Train: IC, ICD, SPR
- Metro: 52, 54
- Light Rail: 12, 14, 17, 2, 4
From Amsterdam Tower:
- Bus: 301, 36, 37, 38, 394
- Metro: 52
- Ferry: F3
Accessibility
Wheelchair facilities, audio guides, and other facilities depend on the kind of cruise ticket you choose. For walking tours, you need to keep in mind that the walking route runs through the city center, including uneven pavements and bridges, which might be a cause of concern for those with mobility issues.
Inclusions
The Amsterdam Light Festival Canal Cruise includes:
- Heated blankets
- Live Guide & Audio Guide
- Food & Drinks
- Free WiFi onboard
For more details, check your tickets before purchasing.
Amsterdam Light Festival Art Installations
Every year in the winter season of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Light Festival is organized with installations of artworks that are created especially for the festival. Along with all that, special projects artworks made in collaboration with artists, partners, and stakeholders are installed, including special education projects on which primary students and Breitner Academy take part, where the students co-create the festival artworks.
The artworks are installed in public spaces all over Amsterdam near the canals, making them easily accessible to the public.
Permanent Light Art Collection
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 in 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 around the world.
Nieuw-West Project
It is the current project of the Amsterdam Light Festival, in which the area of Amsterdam Nieuw West will see a major change as they get redesigned as the Municipality of Amsterdam coordinates with several real estate parties. It will also find an installation of permanent light art, with several other artworks finding their place in public spaces in the near future
178 Bottles, 1 Message
Made by Tijdmakers, Saskia Hoogendoorn and Lieuwe Martijn Wijnands, the artwork of ‘178 Bottles, 1 Message’ which was displayed in edition #3 has found its place in the permanent palace in Amsterdam West on the Amsterdam Sloterdijk square. Consisting of 178 bottles, its LED lighting represents the different nationalities residing in the city.
The Light Kite
Another one of the creative works by Tijdmakers, which was displayed in edition #4 of the Amsterdam Light Festival which now enjoys its permanent space at the Sloterplas. It is a throwback to the days of our past where we had ample time for ourselves to fly kites without worries. The artwork is symbolic of friendship and the freedom of people’s lives.
Campfire
Commissioned by DUWO and displayed in edition #3 has found its permanent space at the Uilenstede Amstelveen university campus. The artwork seems to remind people about the traditional campfire where people used to come together to tell stories as fire seems to emerge from the tree trunks, making the benches its meeting place.
Amsterdam Light Festival Earlier Projects
Amsterdam Light Festival Edition #10
Little Match Girl
This project is done in collaboration with organizations like Company New Heroes, Studio Aldo Brinkhoff, and Juf op Straat. It is based on a famous fairy tale of a girl who sells matchsticks but dies of cold and hunger as no one notices her. It is an educational project that is being done to create awareness about child poverty via the modernized fairy tale.
Light Lab Technasium
Created by Caland Lyceum, Damstede Lyceum, Ir. Lely Lyceum, IJburg College, and Kaj Munk College, students of five different technasium schools learn about light art, sketch, and develop a garland, corresponding to the theme ‘Celebrate Light’ together with Eibert Draisma, who happens to be an artist, designer, and inventor.
Minutes In Blue
Minutes In Blue is a light art that draws inspiration from the interplay of natural light and artificial light. Quite like the seven previous editions where the talented students of the Breitner Academy got a spot to promote their knowledge in light, for this edition Kyra, Naomi, and Kira draw inspiration from the interplay of natural light and artificial light.
Amsterdam Light Festival Edition #11: Project
Bridge of 1000 Dreams
Sticking true this year's theme of Imagine Beyond, the Bridge Of 1000 Dreams is part of a four-year collaboration between the festival and the Municipality of Amsterdam, created by the artist of Edition 11 - Studio Toer with 1200 school students of the city.
Through the educational project and the workshop programs, the children get to learn more about the history of the city, the origin of the Amsterdam canals, and the restoration projects involving the bridges and quays while being connected with the festive theme.
The 'Bridge of 1000 Dreams' Artwork is a luminous bridge created with bamboo sticks. The bamboo sticks are painted by the 1200 school students, where they share their dreams and fantasies. Their markings and drawings light up when neon lights are shinned on them, thus illuminating the entire structure, making it a beautiful, unique artwork - the bridge of light.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Amsterdam Light Festival
What is the Amsterdam Light Festival?
The Amsterdam Light Festival is an annual festival that has been taking place in the center of Amsterdam since 2012. During the festive season of December and January, artists from all over the world gather to create beautiful elaborate art displays, decorating the whole city and beautifying the city’s iconic canals.
Where is the Amsterdam Light Festival being held this year?
Amsterdam Light Festival is a public event where the light installations are placed in public spaces in the heart of the city, along the city's historic canals. You can book a canal cruise to watch these installations.
What is the edition of this year’s Amsterdam Light Festival?
This year, Amsterdam is celebrating its edition #12 of the Amsterdam Light Festival. This year, the artists are displaying installations that focus on highlighting the impact of technology and AI in our daily lives.
When is the Amsterdam Light Festival?
The #12th edition of the Amsterdam Light Festival will be held from 30th November 2023 to 21st January 2024. The art installations will be illuminated from 5 PM to 11 PM every day along the renowned canals of Amsterdam.
What are the opening hours of the Amsterdam Light Festival?
The timings of edition #12 of the Amsterdam Light Festival are from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM, every day, and on New Year's Eve until 8:00 PM.
Where can I find tickets for the Amsterdam Light Festival?
We recommend you book your Amsterdam Light Festival tickets online to save time and money. Online ticket bookings ensure that you do not miss your attractions, no matter the crowd on the day of your visit.
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.
What are this year’s projects at the Amsterdam Light Festival?
With the theme of analyzing the impact of technology and artificial intelligence in our daily lives, the #12 edition of the Amsterdam Light Festival will feature 20 artworks along the canals.
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, multilingual audio guides, and refreshments on a canal cruise.
Does the Amsterdam Light Festival Canal Cruise tickets include access to the light festival?
Yes, Amsterdam Light Festival Canal Cruise tickets include access to the light festival as they are designed around the festival to ensure you get the best experience of the festival with amazing views.
Does any of the Amsterdam Light Festival Canal Cruise tickets include drinks?
Yes, there are Amsterdam Light Festival Canal Cruise tickets which include drinks. Make sure to check your ticket information before purchasing.
How long does the Amsterdam Light Festival Canal Cruise last?
The duration of the Amsterdam Light Festival Canal Cruise depends on the ticket you are purchasing, as it usually lasts between 1 hour and 15 minutes to 2 hours.