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. 

The theme of Amsterdam Light Festival 2025-2026 is Legacy. Artworks are focused on what we as people leave behind, currently and in the future, and how we are remembered. All artworks are especially made for the festival, and all match the theme one way or another. The artists all interpret the theme in their own way, and the artworks are diverse, from majestic memorials to small moments of remembrance. An exciting collection of artworks that inspire and enlighten, and light up the dark Amsterdam winter months.

How to see the Light Festival in Amsterdam in 2025-2026?

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?

We offer Amsterdam Light Festival cruises from two departure locations right outside Amsterdam Central Station. One at the main LOVERS Canal Cruises dock on the Prins Hendrikkade and the other behind Restaurant Loetje on Stationsplein. The cruise route is the same from each departure location, so no matter which location you choose, you won't miss out on any of the art.

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 2025-2026? The theme of the festival this year is Legacy

Where to buy Amsterdam Light Festival tickets?

You can book your Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour tickets online 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 2025-2026.

Dr Win Sutanto
★★★★★
A must if you are in Amsterdam. They simply are the best canal cruise operator in the capital.  Today I took the cruise as part of the Amsterdam Light Festival. It was incredible! 👍👍👍👍❤️❤️

Nyasha 'Naya' Underwood
★★★★
The cruise itself was really nice, it teaches you history, our boat captain was funny and you get insights to Amsterdam's past and present. We went for the Amsterdam light festival... that was very underwhelming (to no fault of the cruise itself)

Christina
★★★★★
Very interesting and informative, Amsterdam by night is very different from Amsterdam by day. The guide was informative. We went on Christmas night and it was warm on the boat