Light art above the canals, colours reflecting in the water and historic facades as a backdrop. During Amsterdam Light Festival, you discover the city in a special way. Step on board and be surprised by artworks that bring the dark winter evenings to life.
With HopOn HopOff Holland, you book an atmospheric festival cruise with Amsterdam Boat Cruises, our own boat company and an official partner of Amsterdam Light Festival. You sail comfortably on a covered, heated and 100% electric boat, with stories from a local skipper.
Discover the festival from the water and make your winter evening something special.
The fifteenth edition of Amsterdam Light Festival takes place from Thursday 26 November 2026 to Sunday 17 January 2027.
Sailing times differ per date. Choose your preferred departure when booking and check the available places.
Take a seat, look outside and see how Amsterdam changes as evening falls. During this cruise, you sail past the festival's light artworks, with the canals and the city as a backdrop.
Some works catch your eye straight away. Others invite you to look longer: at a movement, a reflection or a detail that only becomes visible up close.
Your local skipper tells you about the artworks and the city along the way. That way you not only see what the artists have made, but also discover the ideas behind their work.
A relaxed evening full of art, stories and surprising views.
A winter evening on the water is extra enjoyable when you are sitting comfortably. Our festival boat is covered and heated, so you can enjoy the cruise in shelter.
The 100% electric propulsion ensures a quiet cruise. As the city glides by, you can focus on the art, the stories and the company you are with.
Would you like some fresh air or a photo without a window in between? Then make use of the outdoor space on board.
That way you combine a wintry atmosphere with the comfort of a warm boat.
A light artwork becomes even more interesting when you know the story behind it. What does the artist want to say? Why is the work in this particular spot? And how do the surroundings change it?
Our local skipper gives live commentary in Dutch and English. An audio guide is also available in Dutch, English and German, and you can read more in the information brochure.
Look, listen and discover which artworks appeal to you most.
The festival cruise departs from the Amsterdam Boat Cruises jetty on the Badhuiskade, close to This is Holland and the A'DAM Tower.
From Amsterdam Central, take the free ferry towards Buiksloterweg. On the other side, walk towards the A'DAM Tower and the Badhuiskade. For the exact boarding point, follow the information in your booking confirmation.
At the jetty, our host welcomes you and we help you on board. Then your evening on the water can begin.
You book this cruise through HopOn HopOff Holland and sail with Amsterdam Boat Cruises, our own boat company.
As an official partner of Amsterdam Light Festival, we are involved in this special Amsterdam tradition. With our festival cruise, you choose a cruise dedicated to the light art, with relevant information and a personal welcome.
From the welcome at the jetty to the stories along the way: we want you to enjoy your evening in a relaxed way.
Watching together as an artwork slowly comes closer, taking a photo of the reflection and talking about what you have just seen. It is exactly these moments that make the cruise fun to share.
Drinks are available on board. Order something to drink and enjoy an evening with your partner, family, friends or colleagues.
Even if you know Amsterdam well, the light art gives you a new reason to see the city from the water.
Would you like to admire Amsterdam from the water and from above? Then choose our Amsterdam Evening Cruise & A’DAM Tower Skybar.
You combine an evening cruise through the canals with a visit to the MA'DAM Skybar in the A'DAM Tower. There you enjoy the view over the city, with one drink included.
This package has its own sailing programme. Would you specifically like to see the festival's light art? Then choose the Amsterdam Light Festival: Cruise past Light Art.
The festival takes place from 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027. The light artworks are illuminated daily from 16:30 to 23:00. On 31 December, the lights go out at 21:00.
Our cruise takes about 90 minutes. You will find the available departure times when booking.
You board at the Amsterdam Boat Cruises jetty on the Badhuiskade in Amsterdam-Noord, close to This is Holland and the A'DAM Tower. Check your booking confirmation for the exact boarding point.
Yes. You sail on a covered, heated boat. Outdoor space is also available.
Yes. Your local skipper gives live commentary in Dutch and English. There is also an audio guide in Dutch, English and German and an information brochure.
Drinks are not included as standard on the festival cruise. You can buy something to drink on board.
The boat is covered, so you can also sail in shelter when it rains. In weather conditions that affect safety, we assess whether the cruise can responsibly take place. The safety of guests and crew always comes first.
Yes. The colours, shapes and reflections make the festival special for children too. Choose a departure time that suits your family and take into account a cruise time of about 90 minutes.
Our regular cruise boats are not wheelchair accessible. Do you use a rollator or need help boarding? Please contact us before booking to discuss the options.
Booking in advance is recommended, especially for weekends and the Christmas holidays. That way you choose the date and departure time that suit your plans.
The boat is heated inside. A warm coat is still nice for the walk to the jetty and if you want to look or take photos outside.
An artwork appears above the water, colours move with the waves and behind the next bridge something new is already waiting. During Amsterdam Light Festival, you keep looking again and again.
Choose your date, book your Amsterdam Light Festival cruise and experience the light art with Amsterdam Boat Cruises.
