In winter, Amsterdam once again turns into an open air museum of light. During Amsterdam Light Festival you will see dozens of light artworks along the canals, bridges and quays. The fourteenth edition of Amsterdam Light Festival takes place from 27 November 2025 to 18 January 2026. The theme for 2025 2026 is “Legacy” and focuses on the question of what we as people, as a city and as a society leave behind for the future.
What is Amsterdam Light Festival
Amsterdam Light Festival is an annual light art festival in the public space. International and Dutch artists, designers and architects create new light installations especially for the festival. These works are placed along the canals, on bridges and on squares in the city centre. In total there are usually around twenty to thirty artworks that together form a fixed route.
You can experience the route in three ways:
- By canal cruise on a special Light Festival cruise.
- On foot with a walking route along the canals.
- By bike if you want to cover a bit more distance.
Amsterdam Light Festival 2025 2026
The 2025 2026 edition is the fourteenth edition of the festival and runs from Thursday 27 November 2025 to Sunday 18 January 2026. The light artworks are placed along a set route in and around the canal belt.
Key facts at a glance
- Period 27 November 2025 to 18 January 2026.
- Theme Legacy, about what we pass on and what we leave behind for future generations.
- Number of artworks around 20 to 30 light installations along the canals.
- Location central Amsterdam, mainly around the historic canals and the River Amstel.
Theme Amsterdam Light Festival 2025 2026 Legacy
In 2025 2026 everything revolves around “Legacy”. The festival raises questions such as what we leave behind, how we want to be remembered and which stories are passed on to the next generations. Legacy is about big topics such as climate and history, and also about small personal traditions, family memories and everyday habits.
The light artworks play with:
- History and future installations that refer to Amsterdam’s past and the city’s role in the world.
- Personal legacy artworks about memories, family stories and rituals.
- Collective impact questions around sustainability, climate and the marks we leave as humans.
Dates and times Amsterdam Light Festival 2025 2026
The official dates and times are as follows.
- Period Thursday 27 November 2025 to Sunday 18 January 2026.
- Lights on
- From 27 November to 4 January the lights come on at around 16:30.
- From 5 January to 18 January the lights come on at around 17:00.
- Lights off on regular days
- Sunday to Tuesday until 22:00.
- Wednesday to Saturday until 23:00.
- Christmas holidays during the Christmas period the lights stay on every day until 23:00.
- New Year’s Eve on 31 December the lights are switched off earlier and there are no Light Festival cruises in the evening.
The Light Festival route and how best to experience it
The official route is redesigned every year. In 2025 2026 the route will again run along the historic canals in the city centre. You will see the artworks on the quays, on bridges and sometimes even on the water. The exact walking route will be published in the official festival app and on the festival website.
Ways to do the route
- Canal cruise the most comfortable option, especially in cold or wet weather. You will see almost all artworks and hear more about the artists and the theme via an audio guide.
- Walking great if you want to take photos, pause at installations or step into a café now and then to warm up.
- Cycling suitable if you already know Amsterdam and want to complete the whole route quickly, but less practical if you plan to take many photos.
Book your canal cruise tickets for Amsterdam Light Festival here
Tickets Amsterdam Light Festival 2025 2026
There are roughly two types of ticket:
- Tickets for canal cruises official festival cruises and commercial boat companies with a special Light Festival route. These usually depart from Amsterdam Central Station, Oosterdok or close to the canal belt.
- Tickets and routes for walkers via the festival app you can buy a digital walking route, sometimes with audio or written explanations for each artwork.
It is best to book your canal cruise in advance. In December, especially at weekends and around Christmas, cruises can sell out quickly. Winter Festival Amsterdam
Practical tips for your visit
- Clothing the festival takes place in mid winter. Wear warm layers, a windproof coat, scarf, hat and gloves. Even on a heated boat it can feel chilly.
- Photography bring a phone or camera with a night mode. Avoid using flash, as it takes away the atmosphere of the artworks. Start around sunset for the best blue hour light.
- Timing if you want to avoid the busiest times, visit from Sunday to Tuesday and start early in the evening.
- With children an early departure works well, as the lights are already on and it will not be too late.
- Accessibility when booking a cruise, check whether the boat is wheelchair accessible, as this differs per operator.
Why going by boat is often the best choice
From the water you see the artworks as they were intended. The route is designed with the canals in mind. You have clear sightlines and reflections in the water make the installations even more impressive. Many operators offer:
- Heated, covered boats with large windows.
- Audio guides in several languages with information about the art, the theme and the city.
- Drinks on board, sometimes including glühwein or hot chocolate.
Previous editions of Amsterdam Light Festival
Edition 13 2024 2025 Rituals
Edition 13 took place from 28 November 2024 to 19 January 2025 and revolved around the theme Rituals. Artists explored rituals in all forms, from religious traditions to daily routines and personal habits. In total there were 27 light artworks along the route and around one million visitors came to see them.
Edition 12 LOADING… Art, AI and Tech
During the twelfth edition, technology and artificial intelligence took centre stage. Artists showed how digital technology is changing our communication, creativity and society. Installations played with data, algorithms, facial recognition and motion tracking and raised questions about the role of technology in our daily lives.
Staying near Amsterdam Light Festival
If you want to stay close to the route, look for hotels around the canal belt, near Amsterdam Central Station and in the eastern part of the city centre. From these neighbourhoods you can easily walk to the canal cruise departure points and the walking route.
For up to date prices and availability you can find hotels in Amsterdam via Booking with affiliate ID ?aid=2232023.