This year the Amsterdam Light Festival is taking place from 27 November 2025 to 18 January 2026. You can explore the festival from the boat, by foot or by bike. There are various boat companies offering the Light Festival cruises. It seems that there are so many of them that you might wonder: can the Light Festival tickets ever be sold out?
Yes, indeed, the offer of the Amsterdam Light festival cruises is very extensive – from cruises in heated boats to cruises with unlimited drinks, and even private boat tours.
Most Amsterdam Light Festival cruises depart daily:
- from Sunday to Tuesday – from 17:00 to 22:00
- from Wednesday to Saturday – from 17:00 to 23:00.
During the Christmas Break (21 December until 5 January 2026) they run from 17:00 to 23:00. On 31 December 2025 the lights are out at 21:00.
And still yes, Amsterdam Light Festival tickets can be sold out, especially during the holiday season, and for the popular timeslots (from 18:00 to 19:30). That’s why it’s better to book your tickets as soon as you start planning your trip.
You can book the Amsterdam Light Festival tickets at:
What if you plans change? Most boat companies offer free cancellation or possibility to reschedule your boat tour up to 24 hours before the start. And if you book your tickets at Lovers.nl (official Festival partner), you can even reschedule your tickets yourself via the self rebook page.
Top-rated Amsterdam Light Festival cruises:
- Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise w/ Unlimited Drinks & Snack (rating 4,6 out of 5)
- Light Festival Heated Cruise + Waffle & Hot choco (rating 5 out of 5)
- Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise from A’DAM Tower (rating 4,1 out of 5).
“Blueprint” artwork by Reier Pos on the National Maritime Museum facade. Copyright Janus van den Eijnden
Tip! You can also buy a digital map, containing all the locations and descriptions of the light artworks (in English and Dutch) and do the Light Walk yourself. The map is available online from 24 November 2025 for € 6,99.
See you in Amsterdam this winter!
Related articles:
- Amsterdam Light Festival 2025/2026
- Advent calendars 2025: for kids and adults
- Christmas markets in the Netherlands
- Sinterklaas 2025 in the Netherlands
- New Year and Christmas in Amsterdam: museums opening hours
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