Amsterdam Light Festival 2026-2027: Dates, Route, and How to Experience It
November, with its shorter, grey days is coming, but it also marks the beginning of one of the city’s most magical traditions: the Amsterdam Light Festival. The Amsterdam Light Festival is a spectacular event that illuminates the city’s canals, streets and skies with magical light installations, from November till January. The fifteenth edition runs from 26 November 2026 until 17 January 2027. Each year, artists from around the world create light installations inspired by a central theme, and the festival adds to the beauty of Amsterdam, enveloping the city in a radiant glow.
The city will be transformed by the magic emanating from these light sculptures, the colours highlighting its architectural elegance, and helping us see Amsterdam from new perspectives.
In this article
Amsterdam Light Festival 2026-2027: Dates and What Is Confirmed
The fifteenth edition of the Amsterdam Light Festival runs from 26 November 2026 until 17 January 2027. The festival is marking fifteen years of light art in Amsterdam, and there will be a brand new route through the city. For me, this festival, together with other light festivals held during winter, brings something extra to look forward to in the darker months.
What the festival has confirmed so far:
- Dates: 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027.
- The fifteenth edition, with a new route through the city.
- New artworks by local and international artists, made for the festival.
- Free events and side programming along the route, still in development.
- Tickets for the walk and cruise experiences go on sale on 1 October 2026.
- The app and the walking experiences will be available from November 2026.
I will update this page as more is announced.
Fifteen years of light art
This edition marks fifteen years of the festival. For the anniversary, the festival asked local and international artists what they wanted to show the city, and it is putting together free events and side programming along the new route.
The history of the Amsterdam Light Festival
⏺ First edition 2012. Nowadays considered already a winter tradition, the first edition of the Amsterdam Light Festival took place in 2012 – 2013. It originated from the Christmas Canal Parade, held for the first time in 2009. This first edition was smaller than what it is nowadays, and it had a Christmas Canal Parade too. I was there to witness it: Amsterdam Light Festival 2012.
⏺ The 2013 -2014 edition brought an extension of the route to more canals than just the Amstel, and, from then on, each year brought new light art illuminating the city, and the festival became more and more popular.
⏺ In 2015 – 2016, Princess Beatrix opened the festival, marking its increasing importance, and the festival started its first international collaboration to present light artworks from its own collection at events in other cities.
⏺ The 2016 – 2017 edition of the Amsterdam Light Festival reached almost a million visitors, and major architects took part in the festival, together with international artists.
⏺ In 2017 – 2018, the routes were separated in ”Water” and ”Land”, and visitors could take the water route by boat or walking route on foot. I think this was my favourite edition, with the most beautiful light artworks adorning the canals and streets.
⏺ The festival didn’t pause during the pandemic, and between 2020 – 2022 it continued to exhibit, although at a smaller scale. It was well received, as people were eager to participate in any kinds of cultural events, and, being in open air, this could be something to do without worrying about getting sick.
⏺ In the 2023 – 2024 edition, the festival got an app launched, in addition to the walking route and it returned to the original route in the city centre, after a few years of being diverted to centre and east.
⏺ For its 13th edition in 2024-2025, the festival chose the theme ”Rituals”, as this year Amsterdam celebrated its 750th birthday. And what better way than rituals to mark a special celebration? Also, as light plays an important role in many rituals (think about bonfires, candles and fireworks), this theme was even more appropriate for the special edition of the festival. This year, special cruise was offered to 35 amazing people from Amsterdam that were nominated by their peers, through the ”Nominate your ray of light” programme. These were Amsterdammers committed to their city – the ones that volunteer for their community, the ones who keep the street clean, etc.
⏺ The 14th edition, in the winter of 2025 – 2026, had the theme Legacy. Twenty artists from around the world were asked to think about the marks we leave behind, both big and small, visible and hidden — the echoes of history, the effect our actions have on the world, and the quieter continuation of family traditions and memories passed down through generations. Some pieces were bold and large; others were more personal.
How to see the Amsterdam Light Festival
The Amsterdam Light Festival can be experienced in a variety of ways. You may choose to walk or cycle along the festival’s route, with or without a guide. If you choose to walk along the route by yourself, that’s completely free. You can go as many times as you’d like, see just parts of the route at a time, and revisit your favourites. The artworks are placed close to Amsterdam Centraal, Nemo, Amstel river, the Herengracht canal.
For a truly enchanting perspective, you must explore this giant exhibition from the water. If you have a boat (or a friend with a boat), you can sail along the route for free.
There are several boat cruises available, so you have plenty to choose from. If you book though the festival’s website, your money go towards helping the organising foundation continue its activity, so that’s one thing to keep in mind.
Canal Cruise
A canal cruise offers an unforgettable experience. I still fondly remember the one from a few years back, in 2018, when we sailed after a stormy day on some unexpectedly calm waters. Imagine gliding under arches of glowing lights, witnessing radiant reflections dance on the gentle ripples, and looking up to see artistry hanging over you. The beauty of the light installations from this vantage point is truly remarkable and their luminescence is intensified by their reflections on the water, playing out an otherworldly ballet of light and shadow. Am I being to poetic about it? If you take a cruise yourself, you’ll understand why!
You can choose an open or a closed boat. The closed one is warmer, but the view is not as spectacular as the one from an open boat. You can obviously visit with your own boat, if you have one.
Seeing Amsterdam from the canals is always special, which is why I’ve partnered with Pure Boats. You can book a luxury cruise here:
A note on the details below: the prices, times and tour dates are from the last edition. Tickets for the 2026 – 2027 edition go on sale on 1 October 2026, and I will update this page once everything is confirmed. Please check the current price before you book.
Renting your own boat
Sailing the route yourself is one of the nicest ways to see the festival. You don’t need a licence for the small self-drive boats, just some common sense: keep right, give way to the big boats, don’t be in a hurry. I rented from Eco Boats Amsterdam, who run only electric boats — quiet, which matters when you’re sitting close to the water. Open boats give the better view, especially of the artworks above the canal, but you will feel the cold. Covered and partly covered boats are also available, and they have skippered boats and private cruises if you’d rather not drive. I wrote about the evening in Canal Adventures: renting a boat for the Amsterdam Light Festival.
Light Festival: Open Boat Tour
The best way to admire the lights is from an open boat. This cruise has warm blankets and hot drinks to keep you warm. There’s also a live guide to tell you some information about the festival and the city.
Starting point: 13-15 Damrak, 1012 LH, Amsterdam. Duration: 75 minutes. Price: from €19,50
Amsterdam Light Festival: Saloon Boat Cruise + Optional Unlimited Drinks
Glide through the canals and admire the lights from a closed and heated boat with a live guide and unlimited drinks – if you choose that option.
Starting point: 33A Prins Hendrikkade, 1012 TM, Amsterdam. Duration: 75 minutes. Price: from €29.75. Book Saloon Boat Cruise + Optional Unlimited Drinks.
Amsterdam Light Festival: Guided Bike Tour
Discover the Amsterdam Light Festival by bike on this 1.5-hour evening tour, riding by bright art installations and famous places such as the Anne Frank House, Jordaan, Dam Square, the Skinny Bridge, and the Royal Palace of Amsterdam. Cycle along historic canals, while illuminated artworks wash onto the water and listen to a local guide to hear the stories behind the lights. The start and end location is Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 101, only a short walk from Central Station.
Starts at 16.00. Price: €21.90. Book Guided Bike Tour.
Amsterdam Light Festival: Storytelling Tour
Explore the Amsterdam Light Festival on the Light Up the Dark walking tour, a 90-minute journey along the city’s canals from Badass Tours. See the stunning light installations while hearing stories of courageous Amsterdammers whose actions continue to inspire today. As Amsterdam enters the dark winter months, this tour brings hope and reflection, offering a unique way to experience both the festival and the city from a fresh perspective.
Schedule: December 10 – January 17, from 7:30 – 9pm. Language: Dutch and English. Price: €30. Book Light Up the Dark walking tour.
Amsterdam Light Festival route
The route goes through the heart of Amsterdam, with artworks positioned along the canals, beside them, and occasionally even in the water itself. You can experience the installations from multiple perspectives, by boat on the canals or on foot along the streets.
For the fifteenth edition the festival has said the route will be new, but has not yet published where it runs. Last edition it took in the Amstel, the canal belt and the area around Central Station, NEMO and the Maritime Museum. As soon as the map is out I will add it here.
Festival app: the route map and the audio guides live in the festival app, which will be available from November 2026.
There are also information points along the route, where you can buy a printed map if you are not using a phone. Last edition there were two, at the Blauwbrug and at A Beautiful Mess, open Thursday to Sunday from 4.30 to 9 p.m. and daily over the Christmas holidays. The locations for this edition are not confirmed yet.
Tips for Visiting the Amsterdam Light Festival
Last edition the lights came on every day at 5 PM and stayed on until 10 pm on the quieter days (Sunday to Tuesday), until 11 PM from Wednesday to Saturday and over the Christmas break, and went off at 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Expect something similar this time, but check before you go — the hours for this edition have not been published yet.
If you’re walking, make sure to wear comfortable shoes and warm clothes. Appropriate clothing is important also in the uncovered boats. The winter air will be chilly, especially on the water, so dressing warmly and comfortably is advised.
Book your cruise in advance, to make sure you have a spot.
Accessibility: The route is accessible to visitors with disabilities. Please note, however, that it passes through Amsterdam’s historic city centre, featuring several bridges and uneven cobblestone streets. Sometimes, the parked bikes or cars along the canals make it difficult to get closer for a better view. For the guided tours you have to check with the organisers.
And don’t forget to leave your phone in your pocket from time to time, to truly enjoy the festival and be in the moment!
Amsterdam Light Festival FAQ
• When is the Amsterdam Light Festival 2026?
The 15th edition takes place between 26 November 2026 and 17 January 2027.
• Where does the Amsterdam Light Festival take place?
In the city centre, along the canals. The festival has announced a new route for this edition but has not published it yet. Last edition it covered the Amstel River, the canal belt and the Marineterrein — the area around Central Station, NEMO and the Maritime Museum.
• Is the Amsterdam Light Festival free?
Yes. The artworks are in public space, so you can walk, cycle or sail past them for free, as often as you like. The festival app is free to download too — what costs money is the Light Walk inside it, with the route map and audio guide, and the cheaper Kids Walk version (last edition €6.99 and €3.99). Guided tours and cruises are priced separately, and all of it is optional.
• What’s the best way to see the festival?
The best way to experience the Amsterdam Light Festival is usually by boat. Depending on the positioning of the art, walking and cycling can offer a great view as well, from a different perspective. In some years, the artworks were positioned in such way that walking wasn’t a great experience, but, last year, the route was enjoyable on foot as well.
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So, it’s not free. Lol. Just post a free map.
The walking tour is free and you can do that at your own pace, as many times as you want. You can find the map in their app, but you don’t necessarily need it. Just start on Amstel and follow the canals. If you have a friend with a boat, you don’t have to pay for a canal cruise. But yeah, a free map would have been nice to have on their website. They used to post it in the first years…