The boat is semi-covered with heated cushions and blankets, providing comfort while still offering an authentic canal-side experience.

Can we request accessibility support?

Yes, for detailed guidance, guests should contact the operator directly via email or phone before booking.

What happens if it’s cold or raining outside?

Blankets and heated cushions help maintain comfort, though semi-covered outdoor areas may still feel chilly during winter evenings.

Do we need to wear life jackets?

Life jackets are provided, but your guide will advise only if necessary. Small private boats offer a secure experience with close supervision throughout.

Can we celebrate special occasions privately?

Yes, private groups can bring small decorations, propose toasts, or enjoy drinks while celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, or other events without strangers nearby.

Are pets allowed onboard?

Yes, private boat tour experience allows for pets to be onboard with you and your folks!

Is the boat eco-friendly?

Absolutely, the cruise uses a fully electric, modern boat, reducing noise and emissions, letting you enjoy the festival quietly while being kinder to Amsterdam’s canals.

Amsterdam Light Festival Private Boat I Exclusive Cruise & Drinks

Why choose an Amsterdam Light Festival private boat?

✔️ Private canal cruise of 75-mins for ten people

✔️ Enjoy a tailor-made canal route reserved just for your group

✔️**** Best for romantic evenings, family celebrations, or private gatherings on the water

✔️ Unlimited drinks included for a festive atmosphere

✔️ Modern covered electric boat with heated cushions

✔️ Blankets provided for cozy winter comfort

✔️ English-speaking guide shares stories about artworks and canals

✔️ Amsterdam Light Festival entry fee included

Amsterdam Light Festival canal cruise under illuminated bridge.

What to expect on your Amsterdam Light Festival private boat tour?

1/5

Boarding & welcome

Arrive at Starboard Dock or Oudezijds Voorburgwal, where your guide greets your group. Settle into heated cushions and blankets, grab a drink, and get comfortable before starting your private 75-minute festival cruise.

Canal cruise route

Travel the 75-minute official Amsterdam Light Festival route, passing iconic canals like Herengracht and Prinsengracht. Admire twenty illuminated artworks, reflections on the water, historic canal houses, bridges, and unique seasonal installations designed by international artists.

Fun stories by experts

Your English-speaking guide shares fascinating insights about each artwork, the artists, and the surrounding historic canals. Personal anecdotes and fun facts make the festival more engaging, connecting you with Amsterdam’s culture and creative spirit.

Electric boat comfort

Cruise on a fully electric, modern boat that floats quietly through Amsterdam’s canals. Stay warm with blankets, sip unlimited drinks, and enjoy a smooth, eco-friendly ride while admiring illuminated artworks in comfort.

Private group experience

Share this intimate cruise with only your group of ten guests. Enjoy undisturbed views, personal conversations, laughter, and the freedom to linger at favorite installations without strangers or crowds interrupting the experience.

Things to know before booking your tour

Festival dates: The Amsterdam Light Festival runs from November 27, 2025, to January 18, 2026, offering eight sparkling weeks of evening canal experiences.
Private access: This cruise is fully private for your group, with no strangers aboard, guaranteeing a personal, undisturbed festival experience.
Optional upgrades: Unlimited drinks are included; additional packages or snacks may vary depending on ticket type, so review options carefully before booking.
Age restrictions: Alcoholic beverages are only served to guests of legal drinking age, and a valid ID may be requested before or during the cruise.
Accessibility: For detailed accessibility guidance, contact the operator directly. The boat is semi-covered, but outdoor areas may still feel cold in the winter months.

Amsterdam Light Festival private tour vs standard canal cruise tour

Feature	Private cruise	Standard canal cruise
Atmosphere	Cozy, intimate, only your group	Shared with many strangers, busier
Group size	Up to 10 guests	Usually 20 to 40 guests
Drinks & snacks	Unlimited drinks included	Rarely offered, sometimes for purchase
Festival coverage	Full 75-minute official Light Festival route	Partial or general canal route
Personal stories	English-speaking guide shares engaging stories	Pre-recorded audio commentary
Flexibility	Freedom to linger at artworks	Fixed route, limited stops
Best for	Couples, friends, night fun	Quick daytime sightseeing

Highlights of your private cruise

Golden Bend

Float along the Golden Bend, noticing wide historic canal houses with ornate gables. Festival lights highlight architectural details, while water reflections double the charm, and nearby installations add a modern, vibrant contrast.

Herengracht

Glide down Herengracht, lined with grand merchant houses. Bridges glow with festival lights, while contemporary installations peek between facades, creating a vivid night scene blending Amsterdam’s 17th-century elegance with modern artistic touches.

Haarlemmersluis

Pass through Haarlemmersluis, where moving canal locks create shimmering reflections. Illuminated artworks appear to float on the water, forming an ever-changing interplay of light, movement, and the surrounding historic canal charm.

Amsterdam Central Station

See Amsterdam Central Station from the water, its neo-Renaissance facade bathed in festival light. Canal reflections ripple beneath, while nearby installations enhance architectural details and animate the station’s night-time atmosphere.

NEMO Science Museum

Drift past NEMO Science Museum’s green rooftop, glowing under festival lights. Glass windows reflect vibrant installations, contrasting the museum’s modern geometric design with the softer, historic canal-side buildings surrounding your boat.

Magere Brug

Cruise beneath the Magere Brug, the iconic “Skinny Bridge,” strung with white lights. Elegant arches mirror in the water while nearby festival artworks enhance the romantic, storybook atmosphere perfect for evening photos.

Plan your visit

Traditional canal boat cruising during Amsterdam Light Festival.

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, lights stay on until 11pm every night. On December 31, they turn off early at 9pm.
Note: Timings may change, so check this page for updates closer to the festival dates.
Cruise duration: 75-90 minutes

Canal boats in front of illuminated Amsterdam buildings during the Light Festival.

Starboard Dock: Take metro line 51, 53, or 54 to Waterlooplein station; the dock is a short 5-minute walk away.
Oudezijds Voorburgwal 150: Take tram 4, 14, or 24 to Dam Square stop; from there, it’s just a few minutes’ walk along the canal.

Skipper steering boat during Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise, pointing at illuminated canal bridge.

Heated seating: Stay warm and comfortable inside covered, insulated boats while admiring the sparkling canal views on cool winter evenings.
Toilets onboard: Most traditional and luxury boats include restrooms, so you can fully relax and enjoy the cruise without any worries.
Blankets provided: Many small-group and private cruises offer soft blankets, perfect for keeping cozy as you pass Amsterdam’s glowing light displays.
Wi-Fi access: Some boats provide free Wi-Fi, letting you share your favorite festival moments instantly as the lights reflect on the canals.

Wheelchair access ramp sign with cityscape background.

Wheelchair access: Many boats are wheelchair-accessible with advance notice, ensuring easy boarding and a comfortable way to enjoy the festival lights along Amsterdam’s canals.
Guide dogs: Selected cruises welcome guide dogs, allowing guests with assistance animals to experience the city’s illuminated waterways with ease.
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 Outside Food: Only snacks or drinks purchased onboard are allowed, helping keep the boat clean and comfortable for everyone.
Pets: Pets aren’t permitted on public cruises, but private cruises may allow them with prior approval.
Safety: Guests who appear visibly intoxicated may be refused boarding to ensure a safe and pleasant cruise for all.
Restricted Items: Large bags, sharp objects, and drones are not allowed onboard to protect guest safety and the festival’s light installations.

How to make the most of your private cruise

Swap your positions: Take turns standing on the semi-covered deck for fresh-air views. Your private group means everyone can enjoy unobstructed perspectives of installations without rushing.
Pace yourself: With only your group on board, linger at favorite installations, taking time for photos, drinks, or quiet appreciation without feeling rushed.
Choose your spot: Pick seating near the guide or windows, depending on whether you want storytelling or optimal photography. Your private setting makes personal preferences easy to accommodate.
Interactive stories: Ask your guide to focus on artworks or landmarks your group finds interesting. The small, private cruise lets them customize commentary just for you.
Snack strategically: If your ticket includes snacks or drinks, time them during quieter canal stretches to maximize enjoyment without missing any artwork.