Yes, Amsterdam Light Festival cruise tickets can sell out, especially popular evening timeslots (18:00 to 19:30) during the holiday season. The Amsterdam Light Festival runs from 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027, and you can explore it by boat, on foot or by bike. Because so many boat companies run Light Festival cruises, it’s easy to assume tickets are always available, but the most popular slots book up well ahead of the holidays.
Last updated: 1 October 2026 by Anastasia Dudina
In this guide
Can Amsterdam Light Festival tickets sell out?
Below is what you need to know: cruise schedules, where to book, what happens if your plans change, and the top-rated cruises.
Where to book Amsterdam Light Festival tickets
You can book Amsterdam Light Festival tickets for the 2026/2027 season at:
GetYourGuide
Biggest choice of Light Festival cruises – from budget boats to premium combi options.
Book on GetYourGuide →Tiqets.com
Usually the best discounts, plus handy combi-tickets with other Amsterdam attractions.
Book on Tiqets.com →Lovers.nl
Book directly from the cruise company – Lovers.nl is the festival’s official boat partner.
Book on Lovers.nl →How many Light Festival cruise options are there?
The offer of Amsterdam Light Festival cruises is very extensive: from cruises in heated boats to cruises with unlimited drinks, and even private boat tours.
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
Amsterdam Light Festival cruise schedule
Daily departure times
Most Amsterdam Light Festival cruises depart daily:
- Sunday to Tuesday: 17:00 to 22:00
- Wednesday to Saturday: 17:00 to 23:00
Christmas and New Year hours
During the Christmas break (20 December until 4 January 2027) cruises run from 17:00 to 23:00. On 31 December 2026 the lights are out at 21:00.
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.
What if your plans change?
Most boat companies offer free cancellation or the 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.
Can’t find any Light Festival slot at all, even after checking around? A regular evening canal cruise still gets you past plenty of illuminated bridges and buildings in the city centre, just without the official Light Festival route and artworks. Our guides to Amsterdam canal cruise tickets and evening canal cruises in Amsterdam cover those backup options.
Prefer to explore on foot?
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 23 November 2026 for €6.99.
FAQ about Amsterdam Light Festival tickets
Can Amsterdam Light Festival tickets sell out?
Yes. Amsterdam Light Festival cruise tickets can sell out, especially during the holiday season and for popular timeslots between 18:00 and 19:30. It’s best to book as soon as you start planning your trip.
When does the Amsterdam Light Festival take place in 2026/2027?
The Amsterdam Light Festival runs from 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027. You can explore it by boat, on foot or by bike.
What time do Amsterdam Light Festival cruises depart?
Most cruises depart daily from 17:00 to 22:00 (Sunday to Tuesday) and from 17:00 to 23:00 (Wednesday to Saturday). During the Christmas break (20 December to 4 January 2027) cruises run from 17:00 to 23:00, except on 31 December 2026, when the lights go out at 21:00.
Where can I buy Amsterdam Light Festival cruise tickets?
Tickets are available through GetYourGuide, Tiqets.com and Lovers.nl, the festival’s official partner. Cruise options range from heated boats to cruises with unlimited drinks and private boat tours.
Can I cancel or reschedule my Amsterdam Light Festival cruise?
Most boat companies offer free cancellation or the option to reschedule up to 24 hours before departure. Tickets booked through Lovers.nl can be rescheduled directly via their self rebook page.
Can I see the Light Festival without a boat cruise?
Yes. A digital map with all light artwork locations and descriptions is available online from 23 November 2026, letting you follow the Light Walk on foot at your own pace.
See you in Amsterdam this winter!
Related articles:
- Amsterdam Light Festival 2026/2027
- Amsterdam canal cruise tickets
- Evening canal cruises in Amsterdam
- Advent calendars 2026: for kids and adults
- Christmas markets in the Netherlands
- Sinterklaas 2026 in the Netherlands
- Amsterdam museums ticket prices 2026
- New Year and Christmas in Amsterdam: museums opening hours
About the author:
Written by a local
Anastasia Dudina
I’ve been living in the Netherlands since 2013 and exploring it ever since. I write and update all articles on Amsterdam Explorer and Holland Explorer myself: real tips, not tourist traps.