Amsterdam Light Festival open boat cruise

During the dark winter months, there’s nothing better than a little light in the darkness. And what better way to experience this than at the Amsterdam Light Festival? This festival brings the canals of Amsterdam to life with stunning light installations, all of which you can admire from the water. Want to get up close to these artworks? Then our open boat tour during the Amsterdam Light Festival is the perfect choice. With a small, open boat accommodating a maximum of 25 people, you’ll sail close to the artworks and enjoy a unique and personal experience on the water.

Artworks during the Amsterdam Light Festival

In 2024, the 13th edition of the Amsterdam Light Festival is centered around the theme ‘Rituals.’ Rituals play a central role in everyday life and have historically been closely linked to light. Think of candles during holidays, fireworks during New Year’s celebrations, or the light that guides us through dark times. For this edition, international artists have used rituals as their inspiration to create impressive light artworks that explore themes of repetition, symbolism, and continuity. Sail through the canals and be amazed by the creativity and stunning light installations, which will make you reflect on our connection to traditions in a special way.

These light installations are not only visually stunning but also tell their own unique stories. You will have the chance to admire more than twenty artworks, each with a unique concept and execution. The intimate setting of the open boat offers a fantastic opportunity to view the artworks up close and notice the subtle details you might miss from the shore.

An intimate canal cruise experience

Our open boat tour offers an intimate and cozy experience. With a capacity of up to 25 people, it’s the perfect way to enjoy the beauty of the Amsterdam Light Festival with friends or family. The canal cruise lasts approximately 90 minutes and takes you past all the key light installations of this edition. As you sail through the canals, the skipper will explain the artworks and the meaning behind the theme ‘Rituals.’ This adds an extra layer to your experience, allowing you to learn more about the process behind the installations and the story the artists want to tell.

Worried about the cold weather? Don’t be—we provide blankets on board, and the combination of the light art and the peaceful, illuminated canals makes it absolutely worth it. However, if you prefer to stay warm and dry, you can also opt for our heated and covered boat tour.

Practical information about the open boat tour

To ensure your visit to the Amsterdam Light Festival goes smoothly, we’ve listed all the important details for you:

• Departure times: Our open boats sail daily during the festival, from November 28, 2024, to January 19, 2025. You can depart between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM, depending on available time slots.
• Departure point: All open boats depart from the Blue Boat dock at Stadhouderskade 501, opposite the Hard Rock Café. This is a centrally located boarding point, easily accessible from the Rijksmuseum and Leidseplein.
• Bad weather: Weather conditions in the Netherlands can vary, and in the event of extreme weather, the open boat tour will unfortunately be canceled. In this case, we will contact you and offer you the option to exchange your ticket for a covered boat tour or reschedule for another date.
• Wheelchair accessibility: Unfortunately, our open boat is not suitable for wheelchair users. However, if you still want to enjoy the festival, we recommend our wheelchair-accessible covered boat tour. Contact us for more information on wheelchair-accessible options.

Duration of the tour

The open boat tour lasts approximately 90 minutes, giving you plenty of time to fully enjoy the many light installations along the canals. During the tour, you’ll have the best views of the artworks while the skipper provides background information and fun facts about the festival.

Our Amsterdam Light Festival open boat tour

Want to experience the Amsterdam Light Festival in a unique and special way? Our open boat tour gives you the chance to get close to the artworks and fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the illuminated canals. The personal setting on board creates an intimate experience you won’t soon forget. This is your opportunity to see the festival from a different perspective and experience the magic of light and water.

Book your tickets for the Amsterdam Light Festival today!

Do you have questions or need help booking your tickets? We’re here to assist! Call us at +31206265636 or email us at tickets@amsterdamcanalcruises.nl. We’re happy to help you plan your tour and look forward to providing you with an unforgettable evening at the Amsterdam Light Festival. For more information, you can always visit our FAQ page.