Amsterdam Boat Cruises: Amsterdam Light Festival
Experience the Amsterdam Light Festival sailing through the Amsterdam canals with Amsterdam Boat Cruises!
Book your ticket now with a 25 or 15% discount, especially for IamExpat readers!
From December 1, 2022, to January 22, 2023, the Amsterdam Light Festival will take place for the 11th time. Amsterdam will be fantastically illuminated in the winter, with many bridges and historic buildings beautifully illuminated.
From Amsterdam-North, the tour sets sail with a brand new 100% electric canal boat via the IJ towards the beautifully lit Amstel river. On the way, it passes Nemo and the fully restored Maritime Museum, and then passing the famous Skinny Bridge, where it sets sail to the Artis zoo. Along the way, visitors will see 20 beautiful light works of art, in and around the canals of Amsterdam; a truly unique experience.
Theme: Imagine Beyond
The Amsterdam Light Festival is one of the leading light art festivals in the world. The theme of the 11th edition is Imagine Beyond. With this theme, the festival wants to takes visitors into the world of imagination. Sail with Amsterdam Boat Cruises along the various artworks of light. Everyone is encouraged to sit back and relax, while letting their imagination go wild. With graphics like talking lamps, virtual bridges, rising water, or even a triumphal arch, there is no shortage of fascinating thoughts for the imagination.
The best way to enjoy these artworks of light is by sailing through the canals. From the water, they have a first-class view of these artworks while visitors can relax looking around. The almost six kilometre long Amsterdam Light Festival water route has been mapped out in such a way that all the works of art are visible in the canals and on the quay.
Official partner of Amsterdam Light Festival
Amsterdam Boat Cruises is an official partner of the Amsterdam Light Festival. With the special Amsterdam Light Festival cruise, visitors board a new, comfortable, modern and heated boat from the pier next to This is Holland and the A'dam Toren in Amsterdam North. Along the way, the skipper will tell you more about the beautiful works of art and the highlights of the city in Dutch and English. A brochure with more extensive information is also available in Dutch, English, German, Spanish and Italian, which is distributed to all the guests.
Departure location
The departure location is the Pier next to This is Holland and the A'dam Tower at Overhoeksplein. The dock features the large banners of the Amsterdam Light Festival. The location is easily accessible from Central Station by taking the free ferry F3 "Buiksloterweg". From the ferry, walk immediately to the left towards the A'dam Tower (the tower with the swing on the roof), and after 250 metres, there is a bridge to cross, where the departure pier of Amsterdam Boat Cruises is visible on the right-hand side.
Experience the Amsterdam Light Festival in luxury
Experience the Amsterdam Light Festival on the most luxurious boat of Amsterdam: Stan Huygens. This winter, the old love of Freddie Heineken sets sail again in Amsterdam. Join one of the Boat Cruise tours and experience Amsterdam at its finest. The 90 Minute boat tour starts on the IJ, then goes through the Amstel, and then along the art pieces of the Amsterdam Light Festival. Snacks and a drink are included, and of course, a freshly tapped Heineken beer is available.
Special discount for IamExpat readers
If you want to spend a glamorous night enjoying some of the best light art in Amsterdam, head over to the official Amsterdam Boat Cruises website for more information on the tickets and the route.
Amsterdam Boat Cruises now offers a special discount for IamExpat readers! Get a 25% discount on the regular cruise (normally 26,50 euros, with discount 19,88 euros) with code EXPAT and a 15% discount on the luxury cruise (normally 42,50 euros, with discount 36,13 euros) with code EXPATLUXE.