Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise with Drinks

Headout is an authorized and trusted partner of the venue, offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction. This is not the venue's website.

Amsterdam canal cruise passing illuminated star sculpture during Light Festival.
See the festival lights in toasty comfort

Cruise Amsterdam’s canals in heated boats with unlimited drink upgrades. Enjoy sparkling artworks, warm blankets, and cozy vibes during the Amsterdam Light Festival, running November 27, 2025 to January 18, 2026.

Why choose an Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour with drinks?

✔️ Heated boats keep you warm all evening

✔️ Optional unlimited drinks add a festive touch

✔️ Multiple departure points across the city

✔️ Full 75-minute ride on the official festival route

✔️ Skippers and hosts share engaging local stories

Luxury canal cruise under illuminated red art installation at Amsterdam Light Festival.

What to expect on an Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour with drinks?

Amsterdam Central Station illuminated at night, reflecting in the canal, Netherlands.
Canal cruise boat passing by Montelbaanstoren tower in Amsterdam during evening.
Boat crew guiding Amsterdam Light Festival private cruise.
Friends toasting drinks on Amsterdam Light Festival canal cruise.
1/4

Warm welcome and easy boarding

Meet at the selected dock near Centraal Station, Anne Frank House, or Starboard Dock, show your ticket, and settle into a heated boat with clear canal views.

Comfortable 75-minute cruise

Cruise the official festival route and admire the creativity and detail behind each glowing artwork. Blankets and heating keep the chill away while you enjoy optional unlimited drinks and snacks.

Stories and sights

Listen to commentary from your host or skipper, who shares insider details about the installations, historic bridges, and landmarks along the canals.

Flexible upgrades

Depending on the cruise, you can add mulled wine, beer, soft drinks, snacks, Wi-Fi, or a private boat experience for a more intimate festival night.

Things to know before booking your tour

  • Festival dates: The Amsterdam Light Festival runs from November 27, 2025, to January 18, 2026, giving visitors nearly eight magical winter weeks of evening cruises.
  • Cruise duration: Each sailing lasts about 75 minutes and operates multiple times nightly, allowing you to choose a departure that best suits your schedule.
  • Accessibility: Some boats require climbing steps to board and may not be suitable for guests using wheelchairs or those with significant mobility limitations.
  • Optional upgrades: Unlimited drinks, snacks, Wi-Fi, and private cruise experiences are available only when selected during booking, so review ticket inclusions carefully beforehand.
  • Age restrictions: Alcoholic drinks are served strictly to guests of legal drinking age, and valid identification may be requested before or during the cruise.
  • Special dates: New Year’s Eve sailings are not offered on luxury cruises, and intoxication policies apply to most cruises.

Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour with drinks vs standard canal cruise tour

FeatureBoat tour with drinksStandard canal cruise

Atmosphere

Warm, festive, cozy

Basic sightseeing

Drinks & snacks

Optional unlimited upgrades

Usually not included

Festival coverage

Official light route

General city canals

Personal stories

Hosts share local insights

Pre-recorded commentary

Best for

Couples, friends, night fun

Quick daytime sightseeing

Highlights of your tour

NEMO Science Museum

Float past NEMO’s bright green rooftop, glowing against the night sky. The sloped architecture reflects in the canal while festival lights nearby shimmer, highlighting the contrast between modern design and historic waterways.

Amsterdam Central Station

Glide in front of Central Station’s neo-Renaissance facade, each architectural detail highlighted by warm lights. Crowds on the quay fade into the background as reflections dance across the canal’s surface.

Magere Brug

Approach the Magere Brug, elegantly outlined with strings of lights. The narrow wooden bridge arches over the canal, mirrored perfectly in the water, creating a romantic, storybook setting at night.

Herengracht

Sail along Herengracht, lined with historic merchant houses. Warm festival lights illuminate facades, bridges, and gables while their reflections shimmer in the water, giving a sense of Amsterdam’s Golden Age charm.

Prinsengracht

Float past Prinsengracht, where narrow bridges frame brightly lit canal houses. Festival installations peek from windows and facades, creating a cozy, intimate streetscape reflected in the water below.

VOC Ship Amsterdam

Pass the moored VOC Ship, its tall masts lit subtly. The wooden hull and rigging reflect in the canal as guides share stories of the Dutch East India Company’s historic voyages.

IJ River

Reach the open IJ River, where the city skyline glows behind you. Reflections from nearby festival installations ripple across the wide water, creating expansive views of Amsterdam’s winter charm.

De Negen Straatjes

Cruise through De Negen Straatjes, with its boutique windows, bridges, and narrow canals aglow. Colored lights and art installations give each street a festive, picturesque ambiance perfect for evening photos.

Anne Frank House

Pass the Anne Frank House quietly, its somber facade bathed in soft light. The surrounding canal mirrors the glow, creating a reflective, intimate scene as guides offer historical context.

Hortus Botanicus

Pass the Hortus Botanicus gardens, where subtle festival lighting traces winding pathways and greenhouse glass panels, casting soft green reflections on the canal while lanterns and trees sparkle gently.

Plan your visit

Amsterdam Light Festival cruise boat under illuminated arches at night.
  • When: November 27, 2025 - January 18, 2026
  • Lights on: 4:30pm from November 27 to January 4, and 5pm from January 5 to January 18
  • Lights off: 11pm from Wednesday to Saturday, and 10pm from Sunday to Tuesday
  • Exceptions: Between December 20 and January 4, the lights remain on until 11pm daily. On December 31, the lights turn off early at 9pm.
  • Note: Timings may change, so check this page for updates closer to the festival start.
  • Cruise duration: 75-90 minutes
Canal view towards Anne Frank House and Westertoren church tower in Amsterdam at dusk.
  • Near Hard Rock Cafe: Take tram 2 or 12 to Leidseplein stop; the boarding point is just a short walk from there.
  • Near A'DAM Tower: Ride the free ferry from Amsterdam Central Station to Buiksloterweg; the boarding point is right beside the tower.
  • Near Damrak: Take tram 4, 14, or 24 to Dam Square stop; the boarding point is only a few minutes away on foot.
  • Near Anne Frank House: Take tram 13 or 17 to Westermarkt stop; you’ll find the boarding point close to the canal nearby.
  • Singel 9: Take tram 2, 11, or 12 to Spui stop; Singel 9 is just around the corner.
  • Starboard Dock: Take metro line 52 to Rokin station; from there, it’s a 5-minute walk to the dock.
Skipper steering boat during Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise, pointing at illuminated canal bridge.
  • Heated Seating: Stay warm inside covered, insulated boats that keep the chill away while you take in the festival’s glowing canal views.
  • Toilets Onboard: Most traditional and luxury boats have onboard restrooms, so you can sit back and enjoy the cruise without any worries.
  • Blankets Provided: Many small-group and private cruises offer cozy blankets, perfect for keeping snug as you pass the city’s sparkling light displays.
  • Wi-Fi Access: Some boats include free Wi-Fi, making it easy to share photos of Amsterdam’s illuminated canals in real time.
Guide dog assisting person in wheelchair
  • Wheelchair Access: Many boats can accommodate wheelchairs with advance notice, making it easy to board and enjoy the festival lights along Amsterdam’s famous canals.
  • Guide Dogs: Selected cruises welcome guide dogs, ensuring visitors with assistance animals can enjoy the city’s illuminated waterways comfortably.
  • Stroller Access: Families can bring prams on small-group or private cruises with prior reservation, making it simple to enjoy the festival together without space concerns.
No pets, smoking, or outside food signs against blue sky.
  • No Outside Food: Only onboard purchases or included snacks are allowed to help keep the boat clean and comfortable for everyone.
  • Pets: Pets aren’t permitted on public cruises, but private cruises may allow them with advance arrangements.
  • Safety: Anyone showing signs of intoxication may be refused boarding to ensure a safe and pleasant trip for all guests.
  • Restricted Items: Sharp objects, large bags, and drones are not allowed onboard to keep everyone safe and protect the light installations.

How to make the most of your tour?

  • Upgrade wisely: Check drink packages before booking to match your group’s preferences, ensuring enough variety without overpaying for extras you might not use.
  • Seat strategy: Arrive a little early to grab side seats near windows for the best photo angles and uninterrupted views of each illuminated artwork.
  • Quiet corners: Ask crew about lesser-used seating areas; some boats have small rear benches with surprisingly private, panoramic views away from chatter.
  • Photo readiness: Low lighting can challenge cameras, so use night mode and disable flash to capture crisp reflections on the canals.
  • Blanket trick: Use provided blankets as a soft shield to steady cameras or phones when shooting long-exposure festival images on slightly bumpy waters.
  • Artist details: Scan QR codes on onboard guides to read artist statements during the cruise, making each glowing piece more meaningful while sipping.
  • Dockside drink: Finish your last beverage just before docking so you can linger over final views while others queue for disembarkation.

Frequently asked questions about Amsterdam Light Festival boat tours with drinks

Each sailing lasts about 75 minutes, covering the full official festival route with plenty of time to enjoy all the illuminated artworks.