Amsterdam Light Festival - Saloon Boat

Amsterdam transforms into a grand festival of lights when viewed from the water during the winter months. The canals and the Amstel River reflect the twinkling lights from the bridges and the illumination of the stately canal houses at their most splendid in November, December, and January.

Lights

The city is quieter and even cozier during the winter. Let yourself be enchanted by the lights on the famous Skinny Bridge, of which legend has it that if you kiss your loved one there, you’ll stay together forever. Or, enjoy the numerous monuments and artworks that the city boasts, all beautifully illuminated in the winter.

Canal Cruise

Do you want to admire beautifully lit Amsterdam from the water as well? Then book your (private) canal cruise on our luxury boat or salon boat with Amsterdam Boat Experience.

Of course, Amsterdam is at its most beautiful with its waterborne light show. But before and after a canal cruise, there’s no shortage of things to do in the city. Visit one of the many Christmas markets. They come in classic forms, like the one at Museumplein, or you can opt for a more trendy experience, such as the Funky XMas Market at the Westergasfabriek or the Pure Wintermarkt in Frankendael Park. The RAI in Amsterdam-Zuid transforms into the Amsterdam Winter Paradise.

Embrace the Dutch Tradition

You can lace up your ice skates at one of the traditional Amsterdam ice rinks. They can be found at Museumplein, Rembrandtplein, and the RAI.

The Christmas Tree on Dam Square

The Royal Palace is already a sight to behold, but in winter, there’s also a more than twenty-meter-tall Christmas tree on Dam Square, illuminated with thousands of LED lights.

A well-known winter event is the Amsterdam Light Festival. Every year, artists adorn the city center of Amsterdam with light artworks. The route of the light festival can be covered by walking, cycling, or by boat. We prefer being on a boat, as it saves your feet and gets you up close.

The theme of the festival in 2023 is Technology & AI. The lights for the 12th edition of the Amsterdam Light Festival will be switched on from Thursday, November 30, and they will shine until Sunday evening, January 21, 2024. From Sunday to Tuesday, the city is extra illuminated from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and from Wednesday to Saturday, it’s extended until 11:00 PM. During the Christmas vacation, you can enjoy light art every day until 11:00 PM.

Amsterdam Boat Experience is not an official partner of the Amsterdam Light Festival.

You can purchase the official Amsterdam Light Festival route with explanations (a walking route) in the ALF app.