See the Light Festival from the water on a cozy, partly covered boat with a live guide
Exceptional
1,664 reviews
What guests loved most
Aldo M.
“Nick was the best man in the city! Very beautiful experience!”
From €30.65
·1 hour 15 mins
Winter Light Art Tour • Welcome Snack & Warm Drinks Optional • Cozy Shared Cruise
Each winter, over twenty light art installations appear along Amsterdam's canals, and this 75-minute shared cruise takes you past them all. The Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise with Welcome Snack and Warm Drinks departs from Stationsplein, just steps from Central Station, and follows a route through the Grachtengordel, along the Amstel River, past the Skinny Bridge, and out toward the National Maritime Museum at Oosterdok. A guide on board explains the inspiration behind each piece, offering context about the artists and their work rather than a generic commentary.
The boat adjusts to the weather. On clear evenings it runs open; when temperatures drop or rain threatens, the cover goes up partially or fully. Either way, you'll have a clear view of the installations as they pass. Choose the drinks ticket and you get a welcome snack and warm drinks on board, which matters more than you'd think when you're out on the water in January. Groups range from ten to thirty guests, small enough that you're not fighting for a sightline but sociable enough that there's a pleasant hum on board.
This Amsterdam canal cruise runs during the festival's 15th edition (26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027, lit daily from 16:30 to 23:00, and until 21:00 on 31 December), and the route has been refined over the years to balance the major installations with lesser-known works tucked along quieter stretches. It's worth bringing a coat and layers, as even a covered boat gets cool on the water. The cruise includes a city tax of €2.70 per person, and full refunds are available if you cancel at least 24 hours before departure. Note that dogs aren't permitted on this particular tour, though BoatLocal's regular canal cruises welcome them.
“Nick was the best man in the city! Very beautiful experience!”
Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise with Welcome Snack and (Warm) Drinks (Optional) departs from Stationsplein 18, Amsterdam.
The cruise lasts 1 hour 15 mins.
Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise with Welcome Snack and (Warm) Drinks (Optional) is a shared cruise with a maximum of 30 guests on board, so you book per seat and travel alongside other guests.
Canal Motorboats & Eco Boats Amsterdam
Canal Motorboats was founded in 1996 and is the oldest boat rental company in Amsterdam. Its sister brand, Eco Boats Amsterdam, runs the fully electric side of the fleet — whisper-quiet, emission-free boats used for self-drive rentals (no boating license required), private charters with a skipper, and scheduled shared canal cruises. Boats depart from Stationsplein, right by Amsterdam Central Station, with shared cruises from €20 per person and private charters from €400.
View all cruises by Canal Motorboats & Eco Boats AmsterdamPrices for Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise with Welcome Snack and (Warm) Drinks (Optional) start at €27.50 per person.
This cruise includes Free cancellation up to 24 hours before, Live guide on board, Roof in case of rain and Welcome snack & warm drinks (drinks ticket).
This boat has rain cover, so you stay dry on board if the weather turns.
Yes, this cruise offers free cancellation.
Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise with Welcome Snack and (Warm) Drinks (Optional) is operated by Canal Motorboats & Eco Boats Amsterdam and can be booked directly through BoatLocal.
Yes, as long as a time slot is still open for booking on this page. Every booking is confirmed instantly online — no waiting to hear back. Each available time shows its own booking cutoff, so grab a spot before it closes if you're booking for the same day.
Aldo M.
August 2026
“Nick was the best man in the city! Very beautiful experience!”
Andrea M.
August 2026
“Best experience”
Alessandro C.
August 2026
“Nick è stato ottimo💪🏼”
Matteo
August 2026
“Very good person! Nick!!”
m V.K.
August 2026
“Top”
Krishan V.
August 2026
“Timon was wild and amazing”
Nate S.
August 2026
“Timon is a beast of a guide”
Unai M.G.
August 2026
“Incredible experience and incredible service from Rick and the team! Highly recomended!”
Luca N.
August 2026
“Wonderful boat ride with Timon”
Isabel G.
August 2026
“I recommend Eco Boats for your canal ride. Timon was a great guide, funny and informative!”
Fabio D.S.
August 2026
“Perfecr simon osvery good”
Lynsay B.
August 2026
“We loved the trip! Timon was a great guide. Very funny and informative.”
Valen
August 2026
“I love you timon”
Justin B.
August 2026
“We had a wonderful time with Timon”
Lara D.B.
August 2026
“Great boattour!!”
Klaas D.B.
August 2026
“Timon wist veel te vertellen”
Luis J.G.
August 2026
“Amazing! Knowing Amsterdam in this way has been really beautiful!”
Oonnati D.
August 2026
“Timon, our skipper was funny and knowledgeable.”
Julia M.
August 2026
“Our guide Timon was great - informative while also entertaining. Such a good canal tour.”
Stephen A.
August 2026
“Timon gave me and my family a fantastic tour around Amsterdam. He was informative and open. Can happily recommend this trip”
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