Amsterdam Light Festival Private Boat Tour

Take a 90-min Light Festival journey with an official festival guide in Dutch, English or German.

• Boat type: Traditional sightseeing cruise boat with large glass roof and heated interiors.
• Everything you get: Spend 90-mins gliding through Amsterdam Light Festival artworks on a glass-roof sightseeing boat with heating, multilingual audio guide, boarding from either Hard Rock Cafe or A’DAM Tower, and access to onboard toilet facilities.
• Why choose this: Offering a longer journey than standard options, this 90-min cruise ensures you have more time to enjoy illuminated artworks.

Inclusions

• 90-minute cruise along the official Amsterdam Light Festival route

• Board from near Hard Rock Cafe or A'dam Tower (as per your selection)

• Covered and heated boat

• Official Amsterdam Light Festival audio guide (Dutch, English & German)

• Toilet on board

Exclusions

• Snack box (chips, popcorn, stroopwafels, nuts, water or soft drink) and drinks (available for purchase)

What to bring

• Ensure your entry ticket and ID are on hand for a smooth experience.
• Pack earphones for your audio guide experience.

What’s not allowed

• Food & beverages, sharp metallic tools or objects, and large bags and luggage are not permitted on this experience.
• Your pets are not permitted on this experience.

Accessibility

• This experience is accessible to wheelchair and pram/stroller users, but you must make a prior reservation to let the providers know.

Additional information

• Food and additional drinks are available for purchase on board.
• The boat is heated and covered, but outdoor areas may still be cold during the winter months.
• The cruise operates during the Amsterdam Light Festival, with various departure times throughout the evening from November 27, 2025, through January 18, 2026.

Admire glowing artworks while staying warm aboard luxury enclosed boats & with an expert host by your side.

• Boat type: Cozy enclosed saloon boat with plush seating, large windows and wooden interiors.
• Everything you get: Board near Centraal Station and relax on a heated, enclosed boat. Your experienced skipper navigates the canals while a friendly host shares stories about Amsterdam’s monuments, light artworks, and the city’s winter charm for 75-mins.
• Why choose this: This cruise gives you confidence and context, as your knowledgeable skipper & host shares inside stories that make the festival magical.
• Upgrades: Opt for unlimited mulled wine, beer, sodas, and tasty snacks, making your cruise cozy, indulgent, and perfect for winter evenings.

Inclusions

• 75-min cruise along the official Amsterdam Light Festival route

• heated and fully-enclosed boat

• Board from near Centraal Station

• Unlimited mulled wine, beer, and sodas (as per option selected)

• Snacks (as per option selected)

• Experienced skipper

• Host providing detailed explanation of the city, monuments, and artworks

Exclusions

• Drinks (for packages without drinks included)

• Transportation to/from the meeting point

• Cruises on New Year’s Eve

What to bring

• Ensure your entry ticket and ID are on hand for a smooth experience.

What’s not allowed

• Sharp metallic tools or objects, smoking and drugs are not permitted on this experience.
• Your pets are not permitted on this experience.

Accessibility

• For your convenience, guide dogs are welcome to join you.

Additional information

• The boat is heated and covered, but outdoor areas may still be cold during winter months.
• The cruise operates during the Amsterdam Light Festival, with various departure times throughout the evening from November 27, 2025, through January 18, 2026.
• Guests showing signs of intoxication before boarding will not be allowed to join the cruise.
• If a guest becomes disruptive due to intoxication during the cruise, the journey may be ended immediately and they may be asked to leave the boat.

Capture festival installations clearly without outdoor crowds from your heated sightseeing boat.

• Boat type: Traditional sightseeing cruise boat with a large glass roof and warm interiors.
• Everything you get: The cruise runs 75-mins along the official Light Festival route. You can board near Centraal Station or the Anne Frank House. Onboard, expect heating, wide glass views, a toilet, and both multilingual audio commentary and personal stories from the skipper.
• Why choose this: Winter weather does not interfere, since the heated glass-roof boat keeps the festival experience comfortable while showcasing the artworks clearly.
• Upgrades: Choose unlimited beer, wine, and soda to enjoy on the ride, use free Wi-Fi to share photos instantly, or a back deck lounge for open-air perspectives.

Inclusions

• 75-min cruise along the official Amsterdam Light Festival route

• Board from near Centraal Station or Anne Frank House (as per option selected)

• Heated & covered boat with a glass roof

• Audio guide in Dutch and English

• Friendly skippers with unique stories

• Unlimited drinks (beer, wine & soda) (as per option selected)

• Free Wi-Fi (as per option selected)

• Lounge on the back deck (as per option selected)

• Restroom on board

What to bring

• Ensure your entry ticket and ID are on hand for a smooth experience.
• Pack earphones for your audio guide experience.

What’s not allowed

• Sharp metallic tools or objects, and non-folding wheelchairs and baby strollers are not permitted on this experience.
• Your pets are not permitted on this experience.

Accessibility

• This experience is difficult for people with reduced mobility, since there are a few steps that you would have to climb to board the boat.

Additional information

• The boat is heated and covered, but outdoor areas may still be cold during the winter months.
• The cruise operates during the Amsterdam Light Festival, with various departure times throughout the evening from November 27, 2025, through January 18, 2026.

Leisurely 2-hour walking tour through the Light Festival

• Discover Amsterdam's enchanting transformation during the 13th edition of the Light Festival through a 2-hour guided walking tour of the city.
• Explore the hidden gems of the city like Dam Square and Nine Streets with an experienced local guide, and choose the language of your choice.
• Beat the winter chills in style as your walking tour includes complimentary winter hats ensuring you remain warm and comfortable throughout.
• Warm up with a winter treat as your tour ends at Noordermarkt where you get to savor a traditional glühwein or hot chocolate, along with a local delicacy.
• Prepare for a magical spectacle as the UNESCO-listed Canal District is illuminated by 27 dazzling light fixtures celebrating the theme of rituals.

Inclusions

• 2-hour Amsterdam Light Festival walking tour from Dam Square to Noordermarkt

• Local English, French, German, or Italian-speaking guide (as per option selected)

• Gluhwein or hot chocolate, and a treat

• Winter hat

• Rain poncho (only in case of rainy weather)

Share magical festival moments with friends on an intimate cruise limited to 30 guests.

• Boat type: Comfortable semi-covered sloop with canopy cover and heated cushions.
• Everything you get: Gather 30 friends aboard a private boat, sip unlimited drinks, wrap up in blankets, and enjoy your English guide’s commentary. Your 75-minute festival cruise includes the entry fee, so nothing else to worry about.
• Why choose this: A private cruise means no strangers, only your group of 10 enjoying comfort, warmth, and undisturbed time together watching festival lights.

Inclusions

• 75-minute cruise along the Amsterdam Light Festival route

• Private canal cruise for your group

• Board from Starboard Dock or Oudezijds Voorburgwal

• Unlimited drinks included

• English-speaking guide

• Up to 30 guests

• Fully electric, modern covered boat

• Blankets on board

• Amsterdam Light Festival fee included

Exclusions

• Meals (beyond welcome snack)

• Optional drink packages may cost extra for some ticket types

What to bring

• Ensure your entry ticket and ID are on hand for a smooth experience.

What’s not allowed

• Outside food & beverages, sharp metallic tools or objects, and large bags and luggage are not permitted on this experience.

Accessibility

• For detailed accessibility information, please contact the operator in advance at sail@starboardboats.nl or +31 6 19909425.

Additional information

• The boat is semi-covered, but outdoor areas may still be cold during the winter months.
• The cruise operates during the Amsterdam Light Festival, with various departure times throughout the evening from November 27, 2025, through January 18, 2026.