Your complete guide to the Amsterdam Light Festival 2026 - 2027

(Artwork in the header image: A.N.N. by Koros Design (Amsterdam Light Festival 2018 - 2019, edition 7)

Amsterdam Light Festival returns for its 15th edition

The Amsterdam Light Festival is back for a new edition in the winter of 2026 - 2027. From 26 November to 17 January, you can admire stunning light installations from the comfort of  LOVERS Canal Cruises’ boats. This is the ultimate way to see both the artworks and the city from a completely different angle. In this blog, we’re happy to tell you all about it! 

Discover Amsterdam from a new point of view

For the 2026 - 2027 edition, the Amsterdam Light Festival has no set theme, as this year Amsterdam itself is in the spotlight. Various artists from all over the world have been challenged to create a stunning light artwork that brings the city to life and shows it from a completely different perspective. Along the canals, you’ll discover twenty unique creations, each of which adds a surprising twist to the capital in its own way.

Are you curious to see what these light installations look like? Then discover them from the front row during a boat trip along the route of the Amsterdam Light Festival 2026 - 2027. During our comfortable boat trips, the included audio guide will tell you everything you need to know about the light installations and the artists. The audio guide is available in English, Dutch and German and contains interesting information about all the festival’s creations.

LOVERS cruises during the Amsterdam Light Festival 

LOVERS offers three cruises for the Amsterdam Light Festival, which follow the entire route and showcase all the artworks. The cruises depart from the jetty directly opposite Amsterdam Central Station. Thanks to the frequent departures, you can easily choose a time that suits you.

Step aboard the comfortable, heated boats and enjoy the beautifully illuminated canals. Make your evening on the water even more enjoyable by choosing the Amsterdam Light Festival cruise that includes drinks. On board, you’ll find a selection of chilled drinks, from ice-cold Heineken and delicious wines to refreshing soft drinks. Marvel at the twenty installations created especially for the fifteenth edition and experience the capital in a whole new way.

Private boat from Lovely Cruises

Would you like to admire the light artworks from a private boat with friends, family or colleagues? That's possible with our friends at Lovely Cruises! During the Amsterdam Light Festival 2026 - 2027, they are offering their luxury open boats for exclusive private cruises.

A private boat from Lovely Cruises is the perfect way to experience the Amsterdam Light Festival in a unique and relaxed way. The boat departs from our own departure point opposite Amsterdam Central Station and takes a 90-minute cruise past the impressive light artworks. Along the way, you can enjoy a delicious drink, whether hot or cold, whilst discovering the city from the water.

Thanks to the open boats, you’ll have an unobstructed view of the artworks and Amsterdam’s atmospheric canals. Comfort has also been taken care of, with blankets and umbrellas on board, and a sail canopy can be put up in case of inclement weather. What’s more, the boats are fully electric, allowing them to glide through the canals almost silently. This means you can enjoy the extraordinary light installations in complete peace.

There’s space for up to 30 people, making a private cruise ideal for a birthday, anniversary, company outing or a cosy evening with friends and family. In short, would you like to experience the Amsterdam Light Festival in a special way with your own group? Then a private boat from Lovely Cruises comes highly recommended!

Experience the Amsterdam Light Festival from the water

The fifteenth edition of the Amsterdam Light Festival promises to be a special experience. Amsterdam is brought to life with impressive light artworks, and the best way to view them is from the water. Step aboard one of the LOVERS Amsterdam Light Festival cruises with your family, friends or partner, and we promise you it will be an evening you’ll never forget.