Amsterdam Light Festival cruise

As darkness falls over the city, Amsterdam comes to life on the canals. During the winter months, the water transforms into a stage for impressive light artworks by artists from all over the world. And the best view of all? That’s from the water, of course.

Step aboard our covered Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour and see the city from a different perspective: warm, dry and with uninterrupted views of all the beautiful artworks the festival has to offer. Ideal for those who want to enjoy the festival in peace and quiet: whether you’re on your own, with a partner or enjoying a family outing.

Amsterdam Light Festival Edition 14: Light art and Legacy

The fourteenth edition of the Amsterdam Light Festival is all about Legacy. What will we leave behind for future generations? And how do we want to be remembered? Twenty light artworks along the route tell personal and universal stories about preserving and letting go. About who we are and who we once were.

The artworks have been specially created for this festival and explore the theme in the broadest sense. During the cruise, you can listen to the stories behind the art via an audio guide, available in both Dutch, German and English.

Why choose the covered cruise?

Our boats are covered and heated: very pleasant on chilly winter evenings. From your seat, you have a good view of all the artworks along the route. Thanks to the Personal Audio System, you can hear everything about the festival and the stories the artists want to tell.

No need for a thick coat and no worries about the weather. It means you can simply sit back, relax, and enjoy the art, the comfort and the views.

Practical information

• Duration of the cruise: approx. 90 minutes
• Dates: daily from 27 November 2025 to 18 January 2026
• Times: between 5pm and 9pm (except 25 December & 31 December)
• Audio guide available in English, Dutch and German
• Departure point: Stadhouderskade 501 (opposite the Hard Rock Café)
• Wheelchair-accessible boats available at 7pm & 9pm (advance booking required)

Please note: want to secure your preferred time slot? Book your tickets in advance on our website.

Wheelchair accessible boat

If there is a passenger in a wheelchair in the group, a reservation must be made in advance. Select one of the following time slots to get on a boat that is wheelchair accessible: 7 PM and 9 PM. Then contact our reservations department to inform us that there is a wheelchair in the group as we can only have 3 wheelchairs on board at the same time. Our reservations department can be reached via + 31 20 676 0302 or you can send an email to tickets@amsterdamcanalcruises.nl on weekdays.

Want to explore more of Amsterdam from the water?

Want to see even more of Amsterdam by night? Combine your visit with one of our other cruises. During the day, you can join the City Canal Cruise or discover the city through a child’s eyes on the cheerful Kids Cruise. Later in the evening, you can also join our atmospheric Evening Cruise. A unique experience guaranteed!