Every year, the city of Amsterdam organizes the Amsterdam Light Festival. From 1 December 2022 until 22 January 2023 Amsterdam is the background for a spectacular light show. Expect light sculptures, projections, and art installations, with the Amsterdam central-eastern canal belt as a backdrop. The Amsterdam Light Festival is best enjoyed (and keeps you warm!) on a canal cruise.
Amsterdam Light Festival 2022/23 Canal Cruise
The Amsterdam Light Festival can be enjoyed by foot and by canal cruise. A canal cruised is preferred by most visitors as Amsterdam can be cold on a winter evening. The basic canal boat tour during the Amsterdam Light Festival takes you to see all the light sculptures. An audio guide on board tells you all there is to know about the festival, the theme, and the works of art.
When are the lights on?
The light art installations illuminate every day from 5 pm until 11.00 pm.
In 2022, the Amsterdam Light Festival is held for the 11th time. This year the theme is: Imagine Beyond.
Tickets Amsterdam Lights Festival Cruise
A cruise takes 75 minutes. Tickets for the canal boat tours are available from €26,50.
Amsterdam Light Festival Walk
The Amsterdam Light Festival can also be enjoyed on an evening walk. The Amsterdam Light Festival walk is especially recommended when you want to take photos, which is not so easy from a moving boat!
You may start the Amsterdam Light Festival walking route at Oosterdokskade 135. Here you will find the artwork ‘Ghost ship’. It’s a 5-minute walk from Central Station. From there, you walk to NEMO Science Museum. Cross the main road to Oude Schans. Walk towards the Amstel river. Turn into Nieuwe Keizersgracht. At Artis Zoo go to Entrepotdok and head back to Scheepvaart Museum and NEMO. It’s a 6-kilometer walk. You can buy a route map or audio guide. Dress warm!
Amsterdam Light Festival by Bike
The Amsterdam Light Festival is also good to visit by bike. The route is along a quiet part of the city and mostly along bike lanes.
Amsterdam Light Festival in photos
Below you will find images of the Amsterdam Light Festival in previous years.
1 comment
After I had read you age I have find very interested. I have and I want participate in this amazing festival experience the Netherlands culture. Send me an invitation and am ready to come with 15 of musicians and dancers.