Amsterdam Light Festival 2025: Dates, Theme, 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. 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.
Amsterdam Light Festival 2025: Dates and Theme
This year brings the 14th edition of the festival, with the theme: Legacy. From 27 November 2025 until 18 January 2026, light art works will illuminate the canals after dark, giving us some extra joy in the cold season. For me, this festival, together with other light festivals held during winter, brings something extra to look forward to in the darker months.
The 14th edition of the Amsterdam Light Festival invites us to pause and think about the marks we leave behind, both big and small, visible and hidden. Legacy can refer to the echoes of history and the effect our actions have on the world. It also includes the gentle continuation of family traditions, memories, and customs passed down from generation to generation.
Twenty artists from around the world have expressed these ideas in their own way, turning them into bright artworks that shine over Amsterdam’s canals. Some pieces are bold and large; others are quiet and personal. Each piece sparks reflection on how we shape the present and impact the future. They remind us that every day, through every action, we leave our own small light behind.
The history of the Amsterdam Light Festival
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.
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. However, for a truly enchanting perspective, you must explore this giant exhibition from the water. There are several boat cruises available, so you have plenty to choose from. However, 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.
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.
Festival app: To find the exact route, you need to download the festival’s app, which will be available in the app store as of 1 November. The app contains audio guides as well. The map and the audio guides will be available as of 24 November.
There is also an information point: Blauwbrug, open Thursday to Sunday from 4.30 to 9.00 p.m., open daily during the Christmas holidays (20 December til 4 January)
Tips for Visiting the Amsterdam Light Festival
The lights go on every day at 5 PM, and stay on until 10 pm in the more quiet days (Sunday to Tuesday). From Wednesday to Saturday and during the Christmas break (21 December until 5 January) the lights are on until 11 PM. On New Year’s Eve (31 December) the lights go out at 9 p.m.
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. 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!
FAQ Section
• When is the Amsterdam Light Festival 2025?
The 14th edition takes place between 27 November 2025 until 18 January 2026.
• Where does the Amsterdam Light Festival take place?
The festival has as its background the city centre, including Amstel River, the canal belt and Marineterrein (the area around Central Station, NEMO and Maritime Museum.
• Is the Amsterdam Light Festival free?
Yes, the festival is free if you want to visit with your own boat, walking or cycling along the route. There is a festival app that costs €6,99. You can also book various guided tours and cruises that have various prices, but that’s 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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