If you thought wandering around Amsterdam’s canals at night was magical, just wait until you see the waterways shine during the annual Amsterdam Light Festival.
You don’t need another reason to visit Amsterdam besides its flower festivals and fantastic museums, but we’ll give it to you anyway. The Amsterdam Light Festival is exactly the kind of low-impact, high-reward travel experience that solo travelers, kids, and friend groups can all thoroughly enjoy.
Image Credit: Amsterdam Light Show. Image Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Amsterdam Light Festival 2023: Everything you need to know
What is the Amsterdam Light Festival?
The Amsterdam Light Festival is the evolution of public-light art in Amsterdam. It began in 2009 as a Christmas Canal Parade, became a bit broader the next year with the Winter Magic Amsterdam event, before finally turning into the Amsterdam Light Festival in 2012. The Amsterdam Light Festival is now a seven-week festival featuring both a walking route and canal cruise tour.
Where is the Amsterdam Light Festival?
The Amsterdam Light Festival happens throughout the city, and whadda ya know, two of the best places to jump on the illuminated route are Amsterdam Centraal train station and Waterlooplein metro station. To see the full route on paper, download the festival app, but we have faith you’ll have little trouble finding at least a portion of the 4.6mi route.
Image Credit: Amsterdam Light Festival. Image Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands.
When is the Amsterdam Light Festival in 2023?
The 12th edition of the Amsterdam Light Festival will take place between Thursday, November 30, 2023, and Sunday, January 21, 2024. The lights are turned on every day of the week. On New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2023, the lights will be off as Amsterdam rings in the New Year.
What time is the light festival in Amsterdam?
The Amsterdam Light Festival lights turn on at 5PM each day and shine until either 10PM or 11PM, depending on the day. The canal cruises take approximately 75 minutes and leave every 30 minutes between 4:45PM and 9:30PM. The walking tour is self-paced and can be explored any time the lights are on.
Does the Amsterdam Light Festival cost money to experience?
Technically, no, you can enjoy the Amsterdam Light Festival without spending any euro. The walking route is open to the public so you’re free to bask in the lights as much or as little as you desire. The canal tours do cost money, with tickets starting at €26.50 or roughly $30.
Image Credit: Amsterdam Light Festival. Image Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Is the light festival in Amsterdam worth it?
Yes, we think that the Amsterdam Light Festival is worth exploring while cozied up on a cold winter night. However, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. If you love looking at Christmas lights back home or enjoy wandering around Europe’s cities, admiring the architecture and soaking in the vibes, then the Amsterdam Light Festival 2023 is totally up your alley. That goes double for those who can’t resist a good boat tour.
Amsterdam Light Festival Boat Tour: The best way to see the lights
The coolest way to experience the Amsterdam Light Festival is from atop the canal boats. There are multiple Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour options: a standard canal cruise in a heated boat with an audio guide, a small-group semi-open boat tour with the skipper describing all of the artworks you see, and a private cruise for you and yours to experience the Amsterdam Light Festival with no other groups.
Light on your wallet
Let the train light your way to Amsterdam. Download the Trainline app and purchase tickets for high-speed trains from Paris to Amsterdam or quick and easy connections from Amsterdam Schiphol to Amsterdam city center.
Header Image Credit: Amsterdam Light Festival. Image Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands.