The Amsterdam Light Festival 14th edition is coming to Amsterdam this winter. Good news: the light festival cruises tickets are already available online. Which Amsterdam Light Festival cruises are the best, and what is the ticket price?
Amsterdam Light Festival is a winter outdoor festival of modern art, light and water. Dozens of historical buildings in the center of Amsterdam will be glittering with colour in the dark, letting the visitors feel the Christmas spirit. This year the center of Amsterdam will be illuminated for the 14th edition of the Light Festival from 27 November 2025 to 18 January 2026.
- You can already book your Amsterdam Light Festival canal cruise >>
Which Amsterdam Light Festival cruise is the best?
Many travellers are wondering what is the best canal cruise to take during the Festival of Lights.
Anastasia’s choice: I recommend the ALF cruise with unlimited drinks, organized by Starboard boats. We went on a SAIL Amsterdam cruise with them, and it was great!
Amsterdam Light Festival 2025/2026: key facts
What: A spectacular outdoor exhibition of light art in the shape of sculptures, projections and installations created by international modern artists.
When: from 27 November 2025 to 18 January 2026. Order the Amsterdam Light Festival tickets >>
Opening times. The festival lights are on:
- from Sunday to Tuesday – from 17:00 to 22:00
- from Wednesday to Saturday – from 17:00 to 23:00.
There are two exceptions: During the Christmas Break (21 December until 5 January 2026) the lights are on from 17:00 to 23:00. On 31 December 2025 the lights will be off.
Tip! You can still take a regular day canal cruise in Amsterdam both on 31 December 2025 (last departure at 15:15) and on 1 January 2026 (first departure on 10:00). Book tickets online to secure your spot.
Where: in Amsterdam, and along the canals.
Official Amsterdam Light Festival website in English: https://www.amsterdamlightfestival.com/en/
Stay in Amsterdam: if you want to stay in the most beautiful area of Amsterdam, choose a hotel along the canals. Some good options include Ambassade hotel, Hotel Estheréa, Andaz Prinsengracht, Banks Mansion, and Pulitzer hotel.
“15000 and more” artwork by Studio Klus. Copyright Janus van den Eijnden
What to do:
The festival artworks are located alongside two different routes – a boat route and a walking route. Each route has an own theme and exposition of artworks.
1. Take an Amsterdam Light Festival canal cruise (from € 27,50)
From the waters of Amsterdam you will have the best views of the light artworks. In a comfortable, heated canal boat you’ll listen to the audio guide and from an open boat you can experience the artworks form up-close. Get your cruise tickets now!
A cruise takes approximately 75 minutes. Most cruises leave every 30 minutes, between 16:45 and 21:30.
There are several Light festival cruises departure points in Amsterdam (Central Station, Oosterdock, Amsterdam Noord). You can pick which one is the most convenient for you!
How to find a light festival cruise departure point?
Use the Glimble public transport journey planner. The app will show you the best root, travelling time and schedule:
“Blueprint” artwork by Reier Pos on the National Maritime Museum facade. Copyright Janus van den Eijnden
You can also buy the Amsterdam Winter Card which covers:
- the Light Festival Cruise
- GVB public transport ticket
- an audioguide to get to know the city
- 10% discount on other museums and attractions in Amsterdam.
There are also several combi-tickets which include the Light festival and another attraction in Amsterdam:
2. Take the Amsterdam Light Festival 7,5 km walking route
It is not mandatory to purchase tickets to see the artworks. But you can also download an app with a digital map, containing all the locations and descriptions of the light artworks (in English and Dutch). The Light festival route map can purchased in-app from 24 November 2025 for €7,99.
Enjoy the light festival! And see you in Amsterdam this winter!
Plan your winter trip to Amsterdam
- Arriving to the Netherlands by plane? This is how you can get from the airport to the city center.
- Travelling from another European city by an international train? It will take you to Amsterdam Central station in the city center.
- There are numerous nice hotels in Amsterdam for every bugdet. We recommend Ambassade hotel, Andaz Prinsengracht and other hotels in the Nine Streets area on the canal belt of Amsterdam.
- Travel by public transport in Amsterdam with an unlimited pass for 1-7 days. Plan your door-to-door trip with the local Glimble app for iOS or Android.
- Alternatively buy the I amsterdam city card, which includes city transport, museums entrance, canal cruise and 24 hours bike rental.
- Check out our list of top 15 best things to do in Amsterdam.
Related articles:
- Advent calendars 2025: for kids and adults
- Christmas markets in the Netherlands
- Sinterklaas 2025 in the Netherlands
- Christmas presents: ideas and inspiration
- New Year and Christmas in Amsterdam: museums opening hours
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