Happy Holidays Evening Cruise: Our Festive Evening Canal Tour

Experience the festive magic of Amsterdam during the Happy Holidays Evening Cruise. This 90-minute canal tour takes you through the beautifully illuminated canals of Amsterdam and offers a unique way to celebrate the holiday season. Enjoy the historical beauty of the city, combined with a special audio story available in six languages: Dutch, English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish.

What can you expect from the Happy Holidays Evening Cruise?

As soon as you step aboard our boat, you are welcomed by the warm atmosphere of the holidays. While leisurely cruising through Amsterdam’s iconic canals, you can enjoy a glass of Glühwein, a traditional warm spiced wine, or delicious hot chocolate with whipped cream. Both drinks are served with a piece of “boterkoek,” a traditional Dutch treat that perfectly complements the holiday spirit.

A Unique Audio Story in Six Languages

During the Happy Holidays Evening Cruise, you will experience a modern yet traditional Christmas story through an audio tour, available in six languages: Dutch, English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish. This story takes you on a journey through the essence of the holidays, bringing to life the warm feelings of family, love, and traditions. It is a contemporary tale with nostalgic elements that fills you with joy and a sense of connection. The audio tour not only makes the cruise a festive experience but also provides valuable historical and cultural insights about the city.

Festive Ambiance and Enchanting Views

Amsterdam’s UNESCO World Heritage canals are spectacularly lit during the holidays, and the reflections of the lights on the water create a breathtaking scene. As the boat glides past historic bridges and buildings, you’ll enjoy a fairytale-like atmosphere that is unmatched. Whether you’re visiting the city for the first time or have lived here for years, this cruise offers a unique and unforgettable way to experience Amsterdam during the most wonderful time of the year.

Wheelchair Accessibility

The Happy Holidays Evening Cruise is wheelchair accessible, with special sailings at 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM. We can accommodate up to three wheelchairs per boat, so please ensure you book in advance. After booking, you can contact our reservations department at +31 20 679 1370 or via email at tickets@amsterdamcanalcruises.nl to confirm your wheelchair-accessible seat.

Booking Tickets for the Happy Holidays Evening Cruise

Booking your tickets is quick and easy through our website. Choose your preferred date and time slot and receive your tickets instantly via email. There is no need to print them; simply show the tickets on your phone when boarding. We recommend booking online in advance to guarantee a spot and avoid waiting times.

Departure Location and Accessibility

Our Happy Holidays Evening Cruise departs from the dock at Stadhouderskade 550, directly opposite the Heineken Experience. This location is easily accessible by public transport. Take tram 2 or 12 and get off at the Museumplein, from where it’s just a five-minute walk to the dock. Or take metro 52 and get off at the Vijzelgracht stop, which is only a two-minute walk away.

What is Included in the Happy Holidays Evening Cruise?

During this 90-minute canal tour through Amsterdam’s festively lit canals, you’ll enjoy a complimentary glass of Glühwein or hot chocolate, served with a piece of “boterkoek.” The audio tour, available in six languages, enriches your experience with fascinating stories about the city and its history. To help the environment, we kindly ask that you bring your own earbuds or headphones if possible.

Preview of the unique Happy Holidays Evening Cruise Audio Story

Alex is a world-famous photographer who, after years of roaming the world with his camera as his only travelling companion, returns to his hometown of Amsterdam. But he can no longer ground himself in his city; he feels displaced and abandoned. This is compounded by the fact that he lives in a large, empty and bare house inherited from his aunt. It is the day before Christmas.

Alex decides to go outside and take a walk; maybe that will make him feel better. But he doesn’t; it is terribly cold and he wanders dejectedly along the Amstel River, where he suddenly stumbles upon a mysterious bookshop. There, an equally mysterious old woman hands him a red travel guidebook: Amsterdam in Plates from 1883. The first travel guide ever made about Amsterdam. Alex reads: the most remarkable thing about Amsterdam is Amsterdam. He becomes fascinated and, using plates from the booklet, Alex tries to rediscover Amsterdam and regain a sense of his city.

But he fails: Alex gets run over by a woman on a bicycle, gets involved in all sorts of adventures and, to make matters worse, his camera, his faithful travelling companion, falls into a canal.

Alex wants to leave and heads to Central Station to catch the first train abroad; away from Amsterdam. But that too fails; it is Christmas Eve and no international trains are running. So there is nothing else for Alex to do but return to the cold, empty house. On the Prinsengracht, Alex sees that it has frozen over and that skating is busy. There are braziers, music and cake and biscuits. Alex feels something of his warmth for Amsterdam returning and climbs onto the ice to walk along the canals. There he is knocked over by the woman who knocked him over on her bike earlier. Something blossoms between the two of them.

And then things move fast: Alex rediscovers his love for Amsterdam and Christmas; like a madman, he organises a big Christmas party in his house that is no longer bare and empty but warm, cosy and full of friends. It will be a Christmas party to remember.

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel your tickets up to 24 hours before departure. Unfortunately, cancellations within 24 hours are not possible. To change your time slot, please contact our reservations department at +31 20 679 1370. Experience the magic of Amsterdam during the holidays with the Happy Holidays Evening Cruise and create unforgettable memories in the heart of the city.