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.
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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.
✔️ 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





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.
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.
Listen to commentary from your host or skipper, who shares insider details about the installations, historic bridges, and landmarks along the canals.
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.
| Feature | Boat tour with drinks | Standard 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 |

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.





Each sailing lasts about 75 minutes, covering the full official festival route with plenty of time to enjoy all the illuminated artworks.
Drinks and snacks are only included if specified in the ticket option you choose. Some cruises offer unlimited beer, mulled wine, or soft drinks.
Departure points vary by product and include Centraal Station, Anne Frank House, City Centre docks, or Starboard Dock. Your ticket lists the exact location.
Yes, all boats feature heated cabins or covered seating to keep you warm during the winter evening ride. Blankets are available on certain cruises.
Children are welcome on most cruises, but drink packages are only for adults of legal drinking age.
Some boats require steps to board and may not suit guests with limited mobility. Check the specific cruise details before booking.
Yes. Boats are covered and heated, so rain or cold weather does not affect departures unless extreme conditions occur.