What are the exact dates and hours for Amsterdam Light Festival 2026/2027?

Edition 15 runs from Thursday 26 November 2026 to Sunday 17 January 2027. The installations are lit every evening from 16:30 until 23:00, and until 21:00 on New Year's Eve.

Are Amsterdam Light Festival boats heated and covered?

Yes. Most boats operating the festival are fully enclosed with glass cabins and central heating, or equipped with heated seats, deployable clear rain canopies, and thick wool fleece blankets. Check the comparison table above to select your preferred heating setup.

How much does an Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour cost?

Shared tickets range from €14.90 for standard cruises up to €27–€48 for all-inclusive cruises with hot Glühwein, hot chocolate, and snacks. Private heated salon charters start from €247.50 to €400 total for the entire boat (working out to €30–€50 per person for groups of 6 to 12).

Do Amsterdam Light Festival boats have bathrooms on board?

Select boats only. Enclosed historic salon boats and flagship private launches (such as Schollevaar and Lucy) feature private marine restrooms on board. Smaller open sloops and standard budget boats do not have toilets onboard, but departure docks near Centraal Station and Keizersgracht offer onshore facilities.

How far in advance should I book my Light Festival boat tour?

Book 3 to 5 weeks in advance for December weekends, Christmas week (24–26 December), and New Year's Eve, which routinely sell out completely. Early December and January weekday departures can often be booked a few days ahead.

Occasions & Events

Amsterdam Light Festival by Boat: The Complete 2026/2027 Winter Guide

When winter arrives in Amsterdam, the 17th-century canal ring transforms into a floating open-air art gallery for the Amsterdam Light Festival (Edition 15: 26 Nov 2026 – 17 Jan 2027). While walking the quays offers glimpses of the installations from above, the festival is engineered from the water up: over twenty bespoke light sculptures, glowing bridge projections, and illuminated arches are designed specifically to be experienced from a boat at water level. Choosing the right cruise comes down to boat heating, covered salon cabins versus open heated sloops with warm blankets and Glühwein, and timing your departure around the 16:30 daily switch-on.

Comparing Amsterdam Light Festival Cruises (Winter 2026/2027)

Boat / Cruise	Format & Duration	Starting Price	Heating & Weather Enclosure	Drinks & Food Included	Best For
Classic Light Festival Cruise	Shared (75 min)	€14.90	Roof goes up in rain — no onboard heating	Drinks available for purchase	Best value shared ticket, central departure near Centraal Station
Light Festival Cruise with Welcome Snack & Warm Drinks	Shared (75 min)	€27.50	Semi-covered electric sloop (cover goes up in cold or rain)	Welcome snack + warm drinks (optional)	Easy departure right by Centraal Station, with a welcome snack and warm drinks
Boutique Light Festival Shared Cruise	Shared (75 min)	€34	Heated seats, fleece blankets & clear canopy	Optional onboard winter bar	Intimate small-group cruising departing from Keizersgracht
90-Minute Extended Light Art Cruise	Shared (90 min)	€55	Electric heated sloop with canopy	Hot drinks & seasonal refreshments	Longer unhurried route covering all outer festival installations
Diana Private Light Festival Cruise	Private Charter (1.5h)	€247.50	Heated salon launch, cushions & warm fleece blankets	Optional open bar & Glühwein packages	Exclusive private date or family cruise (up to 8 guests)
Private Light Festival Canal Tour	Private Charter (1h)	€290	Enclosed heated salon boat	Welcome drink included	Private 60-minute tour for small groups up to 12 guests
Private Light Festival Charter with Open Bar	Private Charter (1.5h)	€390	Enclosed heated salon cabin + open viewing deck	Unlimited beer, wine & hot winter drinks	Holiday celebrations and company outings (up to 12 guests)