Amsterdam Light Festival Canal Cruise

Aboard the famous Amsterdam Light Festival canal cruise
Travel in a covered, heated, and 100% electric canal boat
Listen to live commentary from a local skipper
Relax with drinks available on board the Festival Canal Cruise
Experience a curated route along the IJ and Amstel rivers
Admire illuminated landmarks, canals, and bridges
Mobile Vouchers are accepted, no need to print the tickets!

Aboard the Amsterdam Light Festival cruise to enjoy Amsterdam transformed by art and light. From November to January, the canals of Amsterdam become a glowing gallery. Hop aboard a 100% electric canal boat and glide through the IJ and Amstel rivers featuring 27 mesmerizing light artworks by international artists. Discover the story behind each work of art. Listen to live commentary from your local skipper or read an informative brochure provided onboard. The boats are covered and heated, ensuring warmth and comfort on chilly evenings. Pass by iconic landmarks like Nemo Science Museum, the Maritime Museum, the Skinny Bridge, and more, all beautifully illuminated against the night sky. Sip on refreshing drinks available onboard as you admire reflections of the illuminated landmarks dancing on the canals. The Amsterdam Light Festival Canal Cruise tour guarantees the best viewing route of all festival highlights and witnesses how Amsterdam transforms into a luminous wonderland.

Step aboard a 100% electric canal boat and experience the mesmerizing charm of the Amsterdam Light Festival, an annual celebration that transforms the city’s canals into a breathtaking art exhibition from November to January. Beginning your journey at the futuristic Overhoeksplein, you’ll be welcomed by a friendly host and guided onto a modern, eco-friendly, and heated boat. As evening sets in, the twinkling reflections on the water and the city’s illuminated skyline create a magical start to an unforgettable voyage through art and light. Secure your spot on this special experience and be part of a festival that captures the beauty, imagination, and winter charm of Amsterdam like never before.

Cruising through the IJ River and along the Amstel, the route is carefully designed to showcase 27 extraordinary light artworks created by talented international artists. Each installation tells its own story, lighting up the eastern part of Amsterdam’s center with creativity and wonder. The city’s bridges, historic buildings, and contemporary structures become part of a glowing open-air gallery, where every corner offers a new and dazzling display. The combination of art, architecture, and the gentle rhythm of the canals creates an atmosphere that is both peaceful and inspiring. Throughout the journey, your local skipper provides live commentary in Dutch and English, revealing the stories behind the artworks and the landmarks they surround. From the striking Nemo Science Museum to the fully restored Maritime Museum and the charming Skinny Bridge, the cruise presents a perfect blend of Amsterdam’s history and artistic spirit. For a more personalized experience, you can also listen to an audio guide available in English, German, and Dutch, or browse through the informative brochure that highlights the inspiration, themes, and artists behind each creation.

As you glide through the glowing waterways, you’ll pass by iconic sites, including the Artis Zoo area, where both nature and light come together in harmony. The reflections of the artworks on the water, the glowing arches of bridges, and the softly lit silhouettes of historic facades create an enchanting winter spectacle that embodies Amsterdam’s beauty. Inside the covered, heated boat, you can relax in comfort and enjoy drinks available on board—perfect for toasting to the magic of the evening as the city sparkles around you. The Amsterdam Light Festival Canal Cruise tour offers a front-row seat to one of Amsterdam’s most cherished traditions, turning a simple boat ride into a journey of light, creativity, and unforgettable memories.

90 Minutes Light Festival Canal Cruise
Live Guide available in English and Dutch
Audio Guide available in English, Dutch, German
Informative Brochure on the Festival's Artworks

Hotel Pick up and Drop off
Food and Beverages

Wheelchair Accessibility: No
Voucher Information: Mobile Vouchers are accepted!
Pets are not allowed, with the exception of assistance dogs.
Check-in 15 minutes before departure. Waiting time can occur even with a timeslot due to large crowds.
Free access to bathroom.
Please carry your own headphones to get access for the Audio Guide on the boat.
Outside Food and Drinks are not allowed on the boat.
Live guide is available in English and Dutch; Audio guide in English, Dutch, French, German, Spanish, and Italian.
How to Reach? The Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise departs from Badhuiskade, Amsterdam, easily reached from Central Station. Take the F3 “Buiksloterweg” ferry behind the station, turn left towards the A’DAM Tower, and after 250 meters, find the jetty on right after the bridge. A host will warmly welcome you on board.
Disclaimer: The service provider reserves the right to change the itinerary or cancel the tour due to events being celebrated in the city or force majeure reasons.

You must cancel your booking at least 24 hours before the start time of the activity/experience to get a complete refund.
If you cancel your booking less than 24 hours before the start time of the activity/experience, you will not be reimbursed.
Any modifications made less than 24 hours before the start time of the activity/experience will not be allowed.
The cut-off times are determined by the activity/experience's local start time.
This activity/experience is weather dependent. If it is cancelled due to inclement weather, you will be given an alternate date or a full refund.