Amsterdam Light Festival - Private Boat

Amsterdam is truly a festival of lights during the winter. You can enjoy it most from the water. The reflections of the illuminated bridges and the stately canal houses in the canals and the Amstel in these dark days are artworks in themselves.

Lights

The capital is not as crowded and even cozier in the winter. Admire the lights along the canals and on the famous Skinny Bridge, where, according to tradition, you can kiss your loved one to stay together forever. Enjoy the many monuments and the art that Amsterdam has to offer. Even in winter, they are beautifully illuminated.

Canal Cruise

Amsterdam is ideally suited to be viewed from the water. Do you want to experience the winter light show of Amsterdam from the water? Then book your (private) canal cruise with Amsterdam Boat Experience on our private boat, luxury boat, or salon boat.

Of course, Amsterdam is at its most beautiful with its light show from the water. But before and after a canal cruise, you won’t be bored in the city. Visit one of the many Christmas markets. They come in classic forms, like the one at Museumplein, and you can opt for a more trendy experience, for instance at the Funky XMas Market at the Westergasfabriek or the Pure Wintermarkt in Frankendael Park. The RAI in Amsterdam-Zuid is also home to the Amsterdam Winter Paradise.

Authentically Dutch

You can lace up your skates on one of the traditional Amsterdam ice rinks. They’re located at Museumplein, Rembrandtplein, and at the RAI.

The Illuminated 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. The tree on Dam Square is illuminated with thousands of LED lights.

A well-known winter event is the Amsterdam Light Festival. Every year, artists embellish the city center of Amsterdam with light artworks. The route of the light festival can be completed on foot, by bike, or by boat. We prefer being on a boat because it saves your feet and gets you closer.

The theme of the festival in 2023 is Technology & AI. The lights for the 12th edition of the Light Festival in Amsterdam will be lit from Thursday, November 30, 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, until 11:00 PM. Only 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.