The Amsterdam Light Festival 2026/2027 runs from 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027. The best way to see it is by boat, on the official Water Colors Cruise, and tickets are already on sale online.
Amsterdam Light Festival is a winter outdoor festival of modern art, light and water. Edition 15 is dedicated to the theme of Legacy. Dozens of historical buildings in Amsterdam will be glittering with colour in the dark, and the city center will be illuminated for the full run, from 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027.
In this guide
Last updated: 2 September 2026 by Anastasia Dudina
Amsterdam Light Festival early-bird tickets
You can book your Light Festival canal cruise at the websites of its official partners:
Which Amsterdam Light Festival cruises are 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!
If you travel with children, I would recommend Lovers Light Festival cruise in a comfortable heated boat.
What is the Water Colors Cruise?
Water Colors Cruise is the official name of the Amsterdam Light Festival canal boat tour. So if you’ve seen it called that elsewhere, it’s the same cruise as the “Amsterdam Light Festival cruise” described on this page, not a separate event or route.
Top-rated Amsterdam Light Festival cruises
- Light Festival Amsterdam Cruise with 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).
Festival of Lights in Amsterdam 2026/2027: 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 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027. Order the Amsterdam Light Festival tickets >>
Amsterdam Light Festival 2026/2027 opening hours
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 the lights are on from 17:00 to 23:00. On 31 December 2026 the lights go out at 21:00.
Tip! You can still take a regular day canal cruise in Amsterdam both on 31 December 2026 (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/
“15000 and more” artwork by Studio Klus. Copyright Janus van den Eijnden
Things to do during Amsterdam Light Festival:
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
- Amstel (near Ice bar)
- Anne Frank house
- Amsterdam Noord (convenient if you also want to visit A’DAM Lookout).
You can pick which one is the most convenient for you!
“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 6,5 km walking route (the Light Walk). Light Festival map
It is not mandatory to purchase tickets to see the artworks. But you can also buy a digital map, containing all the locations and descriptions of the light artworks (in English and Dutch), artist biographies and fun facts. The Light festival route is called the Light Walk. The map can be purchased from 23 November 2026 for €6,99.
3. Join the Light Festival bike tour with a guide
Explore Amsterdam during the 1,5-hour bike tour through the Amsterdam Light Festival. The tour includes well-lit 3-speed bike with handbrakes, a cup of hot chocolate or tea before the start, and a ride with an expert guide. You will make stops at the most beautiful spots to take photos. Tickets from € 21. Book online >>
Stay in Amsterdam during the Light Festival
If you want to stay in the most beautiful area of Amsterdam, choose a hotel along the canals. We recommend:
A charming boutique hotel located along the Herengracht canal in the heart of Amsterdam’s historic district. Ambassade hotel is known for its elegant decor and extensive art and books collection.
A beautifully decorated boutique hotel on the Singel canal in the center of Amsterdam. Hotel Estheréa is in fact a row of historic 17th-century buildings. It’s known for its romantic interiors, luxurious details, and warm atmosphere.
Andaz Prinsengracht is a five-star hotel located on Amsterdam’s Prinsengracht canal. Designed by Dutch designer Marcel Wanders, it features contemporary art and distinctive interiors, and offers a modern stay with a clear Amsterdam character.
Banks Mansion is an elegant, the Art Deco style, boutique hotel located on Amsterdam’s Herengracht canal. It offers an all-inclusive concept with complimentary drinks and snacks.
The Pulitzer hotel, featured in Ocean’s Twelve movie, is a luxury hotel spanning 25 restored 17th- and 18th-century canal houses along the Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht in Amsterdam.
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.
- 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.
Enjoy the light festival and Amsterdam this winter!
Auf Deutsch: Amsterdam Light Festival 2026/2027: tickets und bootstouren
FAQ: Amsterdam Light Festival
When does the Amsterdam Light Festival run in 2026/2027?
This year’s edition takes place from 26 November 2026 through 17 January 2027, marking the festival’s 15th year in Amsterdam.
What are the Light Festival’s opening hours?
The illuminated artworks are lit from 17:00 to 22:00 Sunday through Tuesday, and from 17:00 to 23:00 Wednesday through Saturday. During the Christmas period (22 December – 6 January), the lights stay on until 23:00 every night, though on 31 December 2026 they switch off earlier, at 21:00.
Do I need to book cruise tickets ahead of time?
Yes – cruises around Christmas and New Year sell out fast. Booking a few days in advance is usually enough for weekday visits, but weekends and the holiday period fill up much sooner, so reserve earlier if that’s when you’re going.
Should I see the festival by boat or on foot?
A canal cruise gives you the best vantage point for most installations, since many were designed to be viewed from the water, and it comes with an audio guide. Walking the route is free and flexible, though a handful of artworks are harder to appreciate from land.
Is it free to visit the Light Festival?
Walking the route and viewing the artworks from the street doesn’t cost anything. Only the canal cruises, the guided bike tour, and the digital walking map are paid experiences.
Is the Light Festival a good outing with kids?
Yes, it’s a popular choice for families, whether you explore on foot or by boat. Most of the route works fine with a stroller, though a few cobbled bridges and uneven stretches can be tricky.
Related articles:
- Advent calendars 2026: for kids and adults
- Christmas markets in the Netherlands
- Sinterklaas 2026 in the Netherlands
- Christmas presents: ideas and inspiration
- New Year and Christmas in Amsterdam: museums opening hours
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