Amsterdam Light Festival – Netherlands 2025

Background & History

The Amsterdam Light Festival, launched in 2009 as the Christmas Canal Parade, evolved into a major winter light art event by 2012, showcasing over 20 light installations by international artists along Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed canals. Now in its 14th edition (2025–2026), the festival transforms the city center with sculptures, projections, and interactive works under the theme “Legacy,” exploring questions like “How do we want to be remembered?” and “What will we leave behind?” Attracting nearly a million visitors annually, it offers canal cruises, walking routes, and bike tours.

As a cultural foundation, it relies on ticket sales, donations, and partnerships, with no structural government funding. Past highlights include Ai Weiwei’s “Thinline” (2017) and Janet Echelman’s “1.26 Amsterdam” (2012).

Event Highlights

• Main Program: Over 20 light artworks along Amsterdam’s canals, primarily Herengracht, from November 27, 2025, to January 18, 2026. Features projections at Oosterdok for Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary and interactive installations at Hoftuin.
• Cruise Options: Canal boat (heated, audio guide, €27.50, ~$31.90 USD), open boat (intimate, blankets, €27.50), luxury cruises with drinks/snacks (€37.50–€49.50, ~$43.50–$57.70 USD), private/group boats (custom pricing).
• Walking/Biking: Free to view artworks; festival app with route map (€7.99, ~$9.30 USD). Foodwalk (€47.50, ~$55.10 USD) includes 5 bites/drinks.
• Cultural Events: Music performances, lectures at the festival heart (dates TBD), and education projects with 1,500 children.
• Sustainability: Eco-friendly boats (e.g., Amsterdam Boat Cruises, Starboard) and digital tickets reduce environmental impact.

Date & Duration

• Dates: November 27, 2025–January 18, 2026 (53 days).
• Hours: Daily, 17:00–23:00 (except December 31, 2025, closed). Cruises: ~16:45–21:30, every 30 minutes.
• Note: Weather: ~35–45°F, rain possible; bring warm layers, umbrellas. Schedule at amsterdamlightfestival.com (~October 2025). Some cruises are 12+.

Main Event Address

• Venues (Amsterdam city center, ~5–15 minutes by foot/bike):
  • Cruise Departure Points:
    • Central Station: Prins Hendrikkade 25/33A (Lovers, Flagship, ~5-minute walk from Centraal).
    • Damrak: Pier 4/5 (Stromma, ~7-minute walk from Dam Square).
    • Amsterdam Noord: Near A’DAM Tower (Amsterdam Boat Cruises, 2-minute ferry from Centraal).
    • Amstel 178: Near Rembrandtplein (Starboard, ~10-minute walk).
  • Festival Heart/Info Points: Stoperaplein, Light Garden (Thu–Sun, 16:30–21:00; daily 21 Dec–5 Jan).
  • Key Route: Herengracht, Oosterdok, Hoftuin (artworks visible by boat, bike, or foot).
• Administrative Contact: Stichting Amsterdam Light Festival, Prins Hendrikkade 187, 1011 TD Amsterdam; info@amsterdamlightfestival.com; (+31) 20-223-8338 (Mon–Fri, 09:00–17:00).
• Note: Public transport: NS trains to Amsterdam Centraal (~€10–€20, ~$11–$22 USD from Schiphol, 15 minutes). Trams/buses (~€1.50–€3, ~$1.75–$3.50 USD). Bikes via OV-fiets (~€4/day, ~$4.65 USD). Limited parking (~€4–€6/hour, ~$4.65–$7 USD); HC spaces near Centraal.

Contact Information

• Email: tickets@amsterdamlightfestival.com (customer service); info@amsterdamlightfestival.com (general); artists@amsterdamlightfestival.com (artists); press@amsterdamlightfestival.com (press); vrijwilligers@amsterdamlightfestival.com (volunteers).
• Phone: (+31) 20-223-8338 (Mon–Fri, 09:00–17:00).
• Website: https://amsterdamlightfestival.com
• Social Media: @AmsterdamLightFestival (Instagram, Facebook, X).
• Key Staff: Frédérique ter Brugge (managing director), Lennart Booij (artistic director), Felix Guttmann (chairman).
• Press/Volunteers: Email press@amsterdamlightfestival.com or vrijwilligers@amsterdamlightfestival.com (deadline ~September 2025).
• Note: Response time ~24–48 hours. Festival app with route map (€7.99, ~$9.30 USD).

Ticket Information

• Admission:
  • Canal Cruise: €27.50 (~$31.90 USD, adults 13+); €13.75 (~$15.95 USD, children 4–12); free (0–3).
  • Boat with Drinks: €37.50 (~$43.50 USD, adults); €18.75 (~$21.75 USD, children 4–12).
  • Luxury Cruise with Snacks: €49.50 (~$57.70 USD, adults).
  • Private/Group Boat: Custom pricing via partner companies (e.g., Flagship, Starboard).
  • Walking Route: Free; festival app map €7.99 (~$9.30 USD). Foodwalk: €47.50 (~$55.10 USD).
• Ticket Range:
  • EUR: €7.99–€49.50 (app map to luxury cruise).
  • USD: ~$9.30–$57.70 (1 EUR ≈ $1.16 USD, mid-2025).
• How to Buy:
  • Online: amsterdamlightfestival.com (opens October 1, 2025). Payment: iDeal, Visa, Mastercard, Apple/Google Pay (app).
  • In-Person: Info points at Stoperaplein, Light Garden (Thu–Sun, 16:30–21:00; daily 21 Dec–5 Jan, card preferred). Printed maps for non-smartphone users.
• Note: Digital tickets sent via email; check spam. Non-refundable; rebook up to 24 hours prior via confirmation email. Avoid unofficial resellers.

Cultural Experience

The Amsterdam Light Festival transforms the city’s canals into a dazzling open-air gallery, blending light art with Amsterdam’s historic charm—17th-century bridges, gabled houses, and UNESCO canals. The 2025–2026 “Legacy” theme invites reflection on cultural heritage, with artworks addressing memory and future aspirations. Enjoy cruises with audio guides or live commentary, or explore on foot/bike using the festival app. Culinary offerings include Dutch treats (stroopwafels, glühwein, ~€3–€10, ~$3.50–$11.60 USD) at cruise docks or Foodwalk stops. The festival’s inclusive education projects and eco-friendly boats reflect Amsterdam’s progressive spirit.

Food & Drinks

• Cruise/Foodwalk: Stroopwafels, hot chocolate, glühwein, snacks (~€3–€10, ~$3.50–$11.60 USD). Drinks: beer, wine, coffee (~€3–€8, ~$3.50–$9.30 USD, 19+).
• Nearby Dining (Amsterdam):
  • De Silveren Spiegel (Kattengat 4, 1012 SZ, Dutch cuisine, ~$20–$40 USD, 5-minute walk from Centraal).
  • Café de Jaren (Nieuwe Doelenstraat 20, 1012 CP, snacks, ~$5–$15 USD, 10-minute walk from Amstel 178).
  • Restaurant Moes (Prinsengracht 242, 1016 HE, meals, ~$10–$25 USD, 7-minute walk from Herengracht).
• Note: Card preferred; cash (EUR) for small vendors. No outside food/drinks on cruises. Water stations at info points.

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly: Suitable for all ages; children 0–3 free, 4–12 half-price on cruises. Foodwalk is suitable for 6+. Under 12s need supervision. No dedicated children’s program.
• Accessibility: Most boats (e.g., Lovers, Stromma) offer ramps, HC toilets. Info points are accessible. Contact tickets@amsterdamlightfestival.com for specific needs. Free viewing of artworks on foot/bike.

Getting There

• By Air: Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS, 15 km, ~15-minute train, ~€5, ~$5.80 USD) to Centraal.
• Public Transport:
  • Train: NS to Amsterdam Centraal (~€5–€20, ~$5.80–$23.20 USD from Schiphol or Utrecht).
  • Tram/Bus: GVB lines to Centraal, Dam, Rembrandtplein (~€1.50–€3, ~$1.75–$3.50 USD).
  • Ferry: Free F3 ferry to Amsterdam Noord (2 minutes from Centraal).
• By Car: Limited parking (~€4–€6/hour, ~$4.65–$7 USD). HC spaces near Centraal, Rembrandtplein.
• By Foot/Bike: Walkable route (Herengracht, ~7.5 km). OV-fiets bikes (~€4/day, ~$4.65 USD).
• By Taxi/Rideshare: TCA (+31-20-777-7777, ~$5–$15 USD). Uber (~$5–$10 USD).

Program Details

• November 27, 2025–January 18, 2026: 20+ artworks along Herengracht, Oosterdok, Hoftuin. Theme: “Legacy.” Full details at amsterdamlightfestival.com (~October 2025).
• Cruises: ~75 minutes, 16:45–21:30. Operators: Lovers, Flagship, Stromma, Starboard, Amsterdam Boat Cruises. Audio guides (English, Dutch).
• Walking/Biking: Free; app map (€7.99, ~$9.30 USD) with artwork details. Foodwalk: 5 stops, ~€47.50 (~$55.10 USD).
• Events: Music, lectures at festival heart (TBD). Education project with 1,500 children.
• Note: English/Dutch signage. Some cruises are 12+. Book early for the Christmas period.

Past Notable Features

• 2024–2025: “Rituals,” 20 artworks, Oosterdok projections for Amsterdam750.
• 2023–2024: “LOADING… Art, AI, Tech,” 24 artworks, new festival app.
• 2021–2022: “Celebrate Light,” 10th anniversary with highlights like “Darth Fisher.”
• 2017–2018: Ai Weiwei’s “Thinline,” curated by Lennart Booij.

Educational Impact

• Cultural Learning: Showcases light art as a recognized genre, with works by global artists addressing heritage and innovation.
• Community Engagement: Education projects with schools, Gouden Lichttour for seniors, and public access to artworks foster inclusivity.
• Historical Context: Builds on Amsterdam’s light art tradition (e.g., 1929 Edison Light Week), enhancing its global cultural reputation.

Cultural Activities

• Light Artworks: 20+ installations/projections along canals, Hoftuin, Oosterdok.
• Cruises/Walks: Guided tours, app-based exploration, Foodwalk with Dutch cuisine.
• Events: Music performances, lectures at the festival heart (TBD).

Travel Tips

• Book Early: Tickets on sale October 1, 2025 (amsterdamlightfestival.com). Hotels fill in December; book 6–12 months (e.g., Ambassade Hotel). Use glimble.app for transport.
• Weather Prep: 35–45°F, rain possible; bring warm layers, umbrellas.
• Explore Locally: Skinny Bridge (free, 10-minute walk from Amstel 178), Rijksmuseum ($22 USD, 15-minute tram), ARTIS Zoo ($30 USD, 10-minute walk).
• Transport: Trains/trams for efficiency. Walk or bike along canals. Avoid driving due to limited parking.
• Crowd Tips: Book weekday cruises for quieter rides. The free walking route is less crowded.

Local Attractions

• Skinny Bridge: Magere Brug, 1018 EW (free, 10-minute walk from Amstel 178).
• Rijksmuseum: Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX ($22 USD, 15-minute tram).
• ARTIS Zoo: Plantage Kerklaan 38, 1018 CZ ($30 USD, 10-minute walk).
• Anne Frank House: Westermarkt 20, 1016 DK ($16 USD, 15-minute walk from Centraal).
• Dam Square: Free (7-minute walk from Damrak).

Accommodation Options

• Hotels:
  • Ambassade Hotel (Herengracht 341, 1016 AZ, $150–$300 USD/night, 5-minute walk from Herengracht).
  • Andaz Prinsengracht (Prinsengracht 587, 1016 HT, $200–$400 USD/night, 7-minute walk).
• B&Bs: B&B Herengracht (Herengracht 176, 1016 BP, $100–$200 USD/night, 5-minute walk).
• Apartments: Airbnb ($80–$200 USD/night, central Amsterdam).
• Note: Book early for December. Discounts via amsterdamlightfestival.com (speculative).

Safety & Health Measures

• Medical Support: First aid at info points. Amsterdam UMC (10-minute drive).
• Security: Bag checks on cruises; no large bags. Info points for lost items.
• Health Protocols: Sanitizer stations; masks optional. COVID-19 policies TBD (October 2025).
• Safety Tips: Secure valuables; stay hydrated; supervise under 12s on cruises.