Festival of Lights – Amsterdam, Netherlands 2026

Background & History

• Origins and Tradition: The Amsterdam Light Festival, known as the Festival of Lights, traces its roots to the 1929 Edison Light Week, when the Amsterdam Energy Company (GEB) lit up buildings with bulbs, flew an illuminated Fokker airplane, and paraded glowing boats on canals, drawing huge crowds until GEB’s privatization in the 1990s. Early 2000s initiatives like “Yule” (2003-2004) by local entrepreneurs revived winter light events, setting the stage for the festival’s modern form.
• Founding and Evolution: Launched as the Christmas Canal Parade in 2009 by founders Vincent Horbach, Henk Jan Buchel, Felix Guttmann, Raymond Borsboom, and light designer Rogier van der Heide, it became the Amsterdam Light Festival in 2010 with “Winter Magic Amsterdam,” focusing on light art to brighten winter and foster community engagement.
• Cultural Significance: As a UNESCO Creative City of Design highlight, the festival transforms Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed canals into an open-air gallery, drawing nearly 1 million visitors annually. It blends art, technology, and Dutch “gezelligheid” (cozy togetherness), making it a global model for public light art and a winter ritual for locals and tourists.
• Historical Milestones: The inaugural Edition 1 (2012-2013) featured a 7-week canal route with works like Janet Echelman’s “1.26 Amsterdam” and a Plantagebuurt walking route, “Illuminade,” plus a parade with 100,000 attendees. Edition 2 (2013-2014) introduced the “Water Colors” boat route and Buckminster Fuller’s “Fly’s Eye Dome,” gaining international acclaim.
• Growth and Recognition: Edition 3 (2014-2015) saw locals join via private boats, with partnerships like Amsterdam Creative Industries Network for student art. Edition 4 (2015-2016), opened by Princess Beatrix, began exporting works to events like Sweden’s Norrköping Light Festival. Edition 5 (2016-2017) featured architects like UNStudio and Benthem Crouwel, hitting 1 million visitors.
• Modern Developments: Editions 6-8 (2017-2020), under artistic director Lennart Booij and managing director Frédérique ter Brugge, showcased Ai Weiwei’s “Thinline” and moved to Centre-East for “DISRUPT!” with immersive SKALAR events. Edition 9 (2020-2021) adapted to COVID with 7 citywide works under “When Nature Calls,” viewable online.
• Recent Editions: Edition 10 (2021-2022) celebrated a decade with “Celebrate Light,” installing “Today I Love You” permanently at Amsterdam UMC. Edition 11 (2022-2023) embraced “Imagine Beyond,” while Edition 12 (2023-2024) explored “LOADING… Revealing Art, AI and Tech” on Herengracht. Edition 13 (2024-2025) tied to Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary with “Rituals” and Oosterdok projections.
• 2026 Outlook: For Edition 14 (2025-2026), new executive director Dago Houben (starting July 1, 2025) will steer the festival toward sustainability and global collaborations, building on its legacy with the theme “Legacy,” reflecting on remembrance, future visions, and intergenerational heritage.

Event Highlights

• Main Activities or Performances: Edition 14 will feature over 27 light artworks along Amsterdam’s canals, created by international artists, architects, and students, viewable via 75-90 minute boat cruises, 6.5 km walking routes, or bike tours, exploring the theme “Legacy” through glowing sculptures, projections, and interactive installations.
• Main Activities or Performances: Special events include live music performances, artist lectures, and storytelling sessions at the festival heart (Oosterdok), plus education workshops for 1,500+ children, building on Edition 13’s Amsterdam750 tie-ins with projection art and family programs.
• Main Activities or Performances: Interactive elements include a festival app with AR overlays, audio guides in English/Dutch, and artist biographies, plus new tactile installations for accessibility, allowing visitors to engage with light art through touch or sound.
• Special Traditions or Features: The festival opens with a ceremonial lighting inspired by the Christmas Canal Parade, with lights on daily from dusk. A “pay-what-supports” model via tickets and app purchases sustains the non-profit, with limited-edition merchandise like Jeroen Henneman’s “One Lamp” from past editions.
• Special Traditions or Features: Annual collaborations with HvA and Breitner Academy produce innovative student artworks, while international exchanges (e.g., curating global light festivals) and patronages from Mayor Femke Halsema elevate its cultural status.
• Unique Attractions for Visitors: The 6.5 km Light Walk (or shorter segments) along Herengracht showcases photogenic installations against historic facades, enhanced by AR app features for offline navigation and fun facts; bike tours weave through lit-up bridges and quays.
• Unique Attractions for Visitors: Cruises offer heated, electric, or open boats for intimate views, with drink packages or private group options; new for 2026, expect expanded accessibility with tactile guides, quiet zones, and pop-up catering at info points for cozy winter vibes.
• Unique Attractions for Visitors: Tie-ins with partners like ARTIS for “Sleep Walk” extensions, SKALAR audio-visual experiences, and permanent city installations (e.g., Sloterdijk’s Tijdmakers work) create a multisensory journey, with pop-up markets adding festive flair.

Date & Duration

• Dates: November 27, 2025 – January 18, 2026
• Duration: 53 days
• Performance Frequency: Lights on daily from 5:00 PM; Sunday-Tuesday until 10:00 PM, Wednesday-Saturday until 11:00 PM (extended during Christmas holidays). Cruises depart every 30 minutes from 5:45 PM to 9:30 PM. Lights off on New Year’s Eve for safety; daytime cruises available December 31/January 1.

Venue / Location

• City: Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Main Venue: An open-air exhibition spanning Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed canals, centered on Herengracht, with 27+ light installations illuminating bridges, quays, and historic buildings, transforming the city into a glowing art gallery.
• Notable Areas Within the Venue: Key spots include Oosterdok for large-scale projections tied to the “Legacy” theme, Hoftuin for interactive artworks, Plantagebuurt for walking extensions, and Marineterrein for quieter routes; info points at Central Station and Waterlooplein provide maps, catering, and merchandise.
• Additional Features: Landmarks like the Skinny Bridge (first lit by Rogier van der Heide) and Amstel River views enhance the route; uneven historic pavement is offset by ramps on major bridges and accessible viewing zones.
• Google Maps Address: Herengracht 401, 1017 BR Amsterdam, Netherlands (central starting point near Prinsengracht intersection).

Ticket Information

• How Tickets Are Sold: Online via amsterdamlightfestival.com/tickets (sales live now) or official partners like Lovers Canal Cruises, Eco Boats Amsterdam, and Stromma; on-site purchases at Central Station/Waterlooplein info points; festival app (€8 USD) for self-guided walks/own boats available November 24, 2025; group/private bookings via partner@amsterdamlightfestival.com.
• Whether Admission Is Free or Paid: Free viewing from public spaces (walk/bike); paid tickets for guided cruises or app access support the non-profit foundation, which lacks structural government funding.
• Ticket Pricing in USD Only: Canal Cruise (75-90 min, heated boat, audio/live guide): $32 USD; Open Boat (intimate, close-up views): $32 USD; Boat incl. Drinks (beverages included): $43 USD; Festival App (digital route, audio guide): $8 USD.
• Minimum and Maximum Tickets Pricing: Minimum: $0 USD (free public viewing); Maximum: $43 USD (premium cruise with drinks); private/group cruises on request, typically $500-$1,000 USD for 20-50 people.
• Any Special Seating or VIP Options: Private/group boats for customized events (e.g., corporate, family outings) with dedicated skippers; wheelchair-accessible cruises via select partners (pre-check required); VIP add-ons include unlimited drinks or extended tours ($10-15 USD extra); family packages with workshop access ($5 USD/child).

Contact Information

• Email: info@amsterdamlightfestival.com (general inquiries); tickets@amsterdamlightfestival.com (customer service/tickets); artists@amsterdamlightfestival.com (open call/art submissions); partner@amsterdamlightfestival.com (collaborations); bewoners@amsterdamlightfestival.com (resident inquiries); press@amsterdamlightfestival.com (media); vrijwilligers@amsterdamlightfestival.com (volunteers); hr@amsterdamlightfestival.com (jobs).
• Phone: +31 (0)20-530-8414 (via Lovers Canal Cruises for ticket inquiries, English/Dutch, 9:00-18:00); general inquiries via email; emergency line during festival: 112 (Netherlands).
• Website: https://amsterdamlightfestival.com (schedules, tickets, app); https://www.iamsterdam.com/en/whats-on (event listings); https://pride.amsterdam (potential 2026 crossovers).
• Social Media: @amsterdamlightfestival (Instagram for live teasers); @AmsterdamLF (Facebook for announcements); @AmstLightFest (X/Twitter for updates); TikTok (@amsterdamlightfestival) for artist spotlights.
• Key Staff: Executive Director (from July 1, 2025): Dago Houben (programming/sustainability); Artistic Director: Lennart Booij (art curation); Managing Director: Frédérique ter Brugge; Chairman: Felix Guttmann; contact via info@ for specifics.
• Press/Volunteers: Press kits/accreditation via press@amsterdamlightfestival.com; volunteer applications (setup, guiding, tech, 100+ roles) open March-June 2025 via website; response time 24-48 hours, multilingual support (English, Dutch, French, German).
• Additional Notes: On-site info booths (5:00 PM-11:00 PM) at Central Station/Waterlooplein; multilingual signage/staff; medical stations for emergencies during peak events.

Cultural Experience

• Traditions: The festival continues Amsterdam’s historic light parades (e.g., 1929 Edison Week) as a modern winter ritual, illuminating canals with art that reflects “Legacy” – exploring ancestral stories, future visions, and intergenerational ties, fostering “gezelligheid” through shared canal-side experiences.
• Music and Soundscapes: Audio tours via the festival app provide ambient soundscapes and artist narratives, with live acoustic sets or lectures at Oosterdok tying to Vondel’s poetic heritage; past SKALAR events suggest 2026 will feature immersive audio-visual works blending ritualistic tones.
• Costumes and Visuals: Artists incorporate LED-lit attire or holographic projections, like glowing robes evoking Dutch Golden Age painters or AI-generated figures symbolizing future legacies; visitors often wear festive glow sticks or winter layers for immersion.
• Local Customs: Pre-tour “borrel” drinks at canal cafés, family picnics under lit bridges, and reflective “Sleep Walk” moments in ARTIS create a cozy vibe; education workshops teach kids light-based rituals, connecting to Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary.
• Cultural Engagement: Interactive artworks allow app-based input (e.g., legacy-themed projections), while open calls invite global artists; ties to the ILO Sustainable Manifesto promote shared light traditions, blending Dutch tolerance with international narratives.
• Historical Connection: Installations echo Joost van den Vondel’s literary legacy with poetic light displays, linking 17th-century canal culture to modern eco-conscious art, celebrating Amsterdam’s resilient, watery foundations.

Food & Drinks

• Stroopwafels: Warm, caramel-filled waffle cookies ($3 USD) from Herengracht vendors, glowing under festival lights for a sweet, portable treat.
• Erwtensoep: Hearty Dutch pea soup ($6 USD) with smoked sausage, served at info point cafés, ideal for chilly evenings.
• Bitterballen: Crispy fried meatballs ($5 USD for 6) with jenever (Dutch gin, $6 USD) at partner bars, evoking 1920s parade nostalgia.
• Glühwein and Hot Chocolate: Spiced mulled wine ($5 USD) or hot chocolate ($4 USD) from pop-up stalls, perfect for pre-cruise warmth.
• Vegan Poffertjes: Mini pancakes ($4 USD) with plant-based toppings, available at eco-focused partners like Hoftuin stalls, reflecting sustainability goals.
• Herring Broodjes: Fresh Dutch herring sandwiches ($7 USD) with onions/pickles from Waterlooplein markets, tying to winter street food traditions.
• Additional Specialties: Food trucks during peak nights offer Surinamese roti ($8 USD), Indonesian satay ($6 USD), or vegan stroopwafel variants; reusable cups encouraged for eco-friendliness.

Getting There

• Nearest Airports: Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), 20 min by train (€5 USD); Eindhoven (EIN), 1.5 hrs by bus/train (€20 USD); Rotterdam The Hague (RTM), 1 hr by train (€15 USD).
• Public Transport: NS train/metro to Amsterdam Centraal (main hub, €4 USD); tram/metro to Waterlooplein (5-min walk, €1.50 USD); GVB day pass (€9 USD) covers all; plan via 9292.nl app.
• Parking: Q-Park Vijzelstraat (€40/day, 10-min walk); P+R Sloterdijk (€10/day + tram); congestion charge €7.50/day in center; electric charging at garages; see amsterdam.nl for options.
• Cycling/Walking: Bike rentals at Centraal via MacBike (€12/day); 6.5 km route bike-friendly with racks; 10-15 min walk from Centraal; e-bikes (€20/day) for accessibility.
• Accessibility: Wheelchair paths on quays, but note steep/uneven bridges; low-floor GVB trams; select cruises with ramps (e.g., Lovers); tactile guides and quiet zones at info points; limited printed maps for offline use.
• Additional Tips: Combine with Winter Festival Amsterdam for extended lights; arrive by 4:00 PM to avoid crowds; group shuttles from P+R via partner@amsterdamlightfestival.com; eco-boats prioritized for transport.

Accommodation Options

• Budget: MEININGER Hotel Amsterdam City West (dorms $40-50/night, near trams, canal views); Stayokay Vondelpark ($35/night, bike rentals, 20-min cycle to route).
• Budget: ClinkNOORD (dorms $30-45/night, near Waterlooplein, social vibe); Flying Pig Uptown (pods $45/night, 15-min tram to Centraal).
• Mid-Range: Hotel Estheréa (canal rooms $120-200/night, central, breakfast); Conscious Hotel Westerpark ($110-160/night, eco-friendly, bike station).
• Mid-Range: NH Collection Barbizon Palace ($150-220/night, near Centraal, spa); The Hoxton Amsterdam ($180/night, canal-adjacent, festival packages).
• Luxury: Conservatorium Hotel ($400-600/night, spa suites, concierge for tickets); Waldorf Astoria ($500-800/night, illuminated views, private cruises).
• Luxury: Andaz Prinsengracht ($350-500/night, design-forward, winter deals); The Dylan ($450/night, intimate, art-inspired).
• Alternatives: Airbnb in Grachtengordel (studios $90-150/night, book 6 months ahead); houseboats via Staycanal ($150-250/night, immersive); Amsterdamse Bos campsite ($25/night, 30-min shuttle).