Amsterdam Light Festival 2025-2026 – 14th Edition

The 2025-2026 edition of the annual Amsterdam Light Festival will run for 52 days, from Thursday, November 27, 2025, to Sunday, January 18, 2026. If you’re lucky enough to be in Amsterdam during this period, then the Light Festival is an absolute must-see! This year marks the 14th edition of the festival, with the theme “Legacy.” However, more on the theme will be discussed later. The illuminated artworks of both national and international artists are placed in the canals of Amsterdam. The light sculptures are illuminated daily, from Wednesdays to Saturdays between 16:30 and 23:00, and from Sundays to Tuesdays between 16:30 and 22:00. You can choose to visit the Amsterdam Light Festival as part of a walking tour, but we recommend taking a boat tour to fully enjoy the experience. The walking route will be available via the Lightfestival organisation’s app. The app is free of charge, but you will need to pay a fee to download the route. Whether you download the walking route or take a boat tour, your contribution will help sustain the festival. Also, make sure to check out all other canal cruise options in Amsterdam!

#14 Legacy – the theme for Amsterdam Light Festival 2025 – 2026

The official theme for the 14th edition is yet to be announced, but it will revolve around the topic of Legacy. All the artworks play into questions such as: “How do we want to be remembered?”, “How do we envision the future?”,  “What do we want to pass on to future generations?”.

Possibilities to attend Amsterdam Light Festival #14

Like every year, the decor of the festival and artworks will be the picturesque centre of Amsterdam, with its characteristic Canal Belt. This year, the possibility of attending the Light Festival by bicycle will return, with a dedicated cycling route. Of course, there will also be plenty of boat tours as well as the possibility to attend on foot. The routes for walking and cycling can be downloaded from the app at a charge.

Boat tours, prices & discounts during the Amsterdam Light Festival 2025-2026

Several boating companies operate during the Amsterdam Light Festival. You can choose from a wide variety of boats, from basic to luxury. Some tours include food, drinks, and even entertainment, while others just focus on the light sculptures. Of course, the more basic tours are a lot cheaper. To give you an idea, expect prices ranging from €25 to €70 per person for the more luxurious tours.

Check out our recommended cruises below;

Classic canal boat options

The standard canal boats are a perfect option for those who want to experience the Amsterdam Light Festival comfortably. These boats are covered, comfortably heated, and fitted with an onboard toilet. They are also stable, making them suitable for passengers with reduced mobility.

Lovers Day & Night combo cruise

If you don’t want to miss out on the Light Festival but are interested in seeing Amsterdam from the water during daylight, Lovers offers a combination product that provides the best of both worlds. With the Day & Night combo cruise, you’ll get to pick two timeslots so that you can enjoy the wonderful canals in broad daylight and the illuminated artworks in the evening.

Foto credit: Eco Boats

Small open boat options

A Light Festival cruise in a small, open boat allows for better sights and pictures. However, it’s also a bit colder, although some tours (warmed) provide blankets and pillows. Please note that the small vessels are less suitable for people with reduced mobility.

Private cruise options

Gather together with your friends, family or business colleagues, and rent a private historical boat during Amsterdam Light Festival. This is one of the best ways to experience ALF! Whether you want to enjoy the boat tour in the intimacy of your own group, have a romantic cruise, or maybe even propose, a private tour is the way to go!

FAQs concerning the Amsterdam Light Festival

What has changed compared to last year?

Like every year, all the artworks have been replaced with new ones, which are made to fit this year’s theme, “Legacy”. Also, this year, the lights will be turned on 30 minutes earlier at 4:30 p.m.

Is Amsterdam Light Festival worth a visit?

Yes, in general, we’d definitely recommend checking out the artworks that are on display. Even without any light sculptures, Amsterdam’s romantic canals and bridges are a lovely spectacle to behold in the dark. With that said, we have to point out that there has been quite a difference in how spectacular each edition of the festival has been. There have been truly spectacular editions, but there have also been a few editions where some of the light sculptures felt somewhat underwhelming. Therefore, there have been a few editions with visitors leaving disappointed reviews, as they expected more from it after seeing previous editions. However, the last 2024-2025 edition (#13) received a lot of positive feedback!

What to expect from the Amsterdam Light Festival and the artworks?

The Amsterdam Light Festival showcases illuminated artworks that blend seamlessly into the characteristic Amsterdam landscape, primarily located along the city’s canals. Most of the artworks feature sculptures on the water as well as projections on iconic buildings. Not all the artworks are flashy or grotesque, but some are more subtle hints at the theme and questions surrounding the topic. Therefore, visitors booking a boat tour should not expect a full themepark-like ride, but rather a blissful themed evening canal cruise.

What are the opening hours for the Amsterdam Light Festival?

This year, the Light Festival is open from 4:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. On Sunday through Tuesday, the lights turn off an hour earlier at 10:00 p.m.

Please note, there are two exceptions: During the Christmas holidays (December 20 to January 4), the lights are on daily until 11 p.m. On New Year’s Eve (December 31), the lights go out at 9 p.m.

How much time do I need?

Most boat tours will last approximately 60-90 minutes, depending on your pace. If you plan to visit on foot or by bike, allow extra time, between 1 and 2.5 hours.

Is the Amsterdam Light Festival suitable for children?

Yes, the festival is suitable for all ages.

How much time does the walking route take?

The walking route typically takes around 1.5 to 2.5 hours to complete, depending on your pace and possible stops along the route. The distance to cover is approximately 6-7 km.

How is the Amsterdam Light Festival being funded?

A non-profit organisation is organising the festival. The majority of funding comes from a levy on boat tours. So your booking helps support the festival! The organisation also relies on income from their app and incidental donations, as well as sponsorships and cultural funds. Visitors who want to contribute can do so through https://amsterdamlightfestival.com/en/support-the-festival.

Amsterdam Light Festival walking route 2025-2026

Unfortunately, we’re not able to share this year’s walking route. There’s a free app to download from the organization. You’ll be able to download the walking route via this app. The route needs to be purchased via the app. More information about the route and app can be found on the official website: https://amsterdamlightfestival.com/en/walk.

Photo impression of past editions

Want to see a little more? Take a look at these magnificent photos from previous editions.

©Photography by Janus van den Eijnden