Amsterdam Light Festival

Amsterdam Light Festival will return in November 2026 with more beautiful light art, and LOVERS will of course be sailing as well. See you in November!

Every year the show includes brand new light art, chosen specifically for this event. The Amsterdam Light Festival artworks will be exhibited throughout winter in and around the canals of Amsterdam. The magical play between light and water can be seen from the quayside but is even more beautiful on an Amsterdam canal cruise. A canal cruise sails past all the artworks at a comfortable pace, so you'll have all the time to take them in. And with LOVERS, a fascinating audio guide will tell you more about the works and the artists who made them. 

How to see the Light Festival in Amsterdam in 2026-2027?

This year the best way to enjoy the festival is back: the Amsterdam Light Festival cruise. We offer these with LOVERS Canal Cruises, an official partner of the festival. The Amsterdam Light Festival water route takes you through the UNESCO World Heritage listed canals of Amsterdam.

What's more magical than enjoying a comfortable cruise through the canals of the Dutch capital in the dark winter months? Enjoying a cruise during the Amsterdam Light Festival of course! Every evening the artwork will light up, and you can see this beautiful exhibition from a canal boat. Together with Lovers Canal Cruises, we offer three Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour options that will let you appreciate the festival at its best. The most famous and popular Light Festival cruise departs from Amsterdam Central Station. 

When and Where to board your Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise?

The Light Festival cruises we offer depart from the dock of LOVERS Canal Cruises, right at Amsterdam Central Station. LOVERS has a convenient dock right across the station, only a short walk when you step outside. The address is Prins Hendrikkade 25, en you can recognise the huge bright LOVERS sign from outside. All cruises follow the entire festival route from there, and drop you off back at the same spot right after.

The first departure time is just before 17.00, after the sun has set and the light art will start looking their best. The last departure time is one hour and fifteen minutes before the lights are turned off for the night, this differs per day. There are no departures on 31 December, so that everyone including staff can welcome the new year with family and friends.

Amsterdam Light Festival Q&A

You might have some questions about the Light Festival in Amsterdam. And we have the answers.

• How long is the Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour? The tour takes about 75-100 minutes.
• What is the best time of day for a canal cruise during the Light Festival? The light art is at its best in the evening when it is dark outside.
• Where are the Amsterdam Light Festival artworks? The light art is spread across the city along its famous canals.
• What is the theme of Amsterdam Light Festival 2026-2027? This year has no specific theme, but is a celebration of the festival and the city for the 15th anniversary.

Where to buy Amsterdam Light Festival tickets?

You can book your Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour tickets online on our website, easily and safely. The comfortable, modern and heated boats of LOVERS Canal Cruises provide an experience that you will not soon forget. Do not wait any longer and book your tickets for the most beautiful festival of the year, the Amsterdam Light Festival!

Amsterdam Light Festival Canal Cruise reviews from our guests

Curious about what others thought of the Amsterdam Light Festival? Read honest reviews from fellow travellers and see why this event is a must-see in 2026-2027.

William McGonagall
★★★★★
A spectacular festival full of light. The city is light up by several artworks along the canals! A boat tour that took us around it in the evening light, and it was very nice. Truly a spectacular event. 👍👍👍👍❤️❤️

Caroline Underwood
★★★★
Very pleasant cruise, comfortable seats. Windows can get a little foggy, but with a little wipe you can still see all the artworks. Boats get a little warm, so do take off your jacket when indoors.

Paco Alcabecar
★★★★★
An interesting cruise, the artwork was really nice to look at, and the audio commentary was insightful. The boats were very comfortable, and the speed was relaxed, so we were able to see all artworks properly. A very good way to see the festival if you don't want to walk.