Every year, the city of Amsterdam organizes the Amsterdam Light Festival. From 2 December 2021 until 23 January 2022 the canal belt of Amsterdam lights up with spectacular light sculptures, projections, and art installations. The Amsterdam Light Festivals is best enjoyed on a canal cruise.
Amsterdam Light Festival 2021-2022
In 2021, the Amsterdam Light Festival is held for the 10th time. This is year is a special year. Some of the most impressive light artworks from earlier years return. Also, due to COVID, the lights are on in the early morning as well as in the evening.
When are the lights on?
The light art installations illuminate every day from 7 am until 9 am and between 15.00 (3 pm) and 22.00 hours (10 pm). However, organized canal boat cruises and organized group walks are only possible until 17.00 hours.
Amsterdam Light Festival Canal Cruise
The easiest way to see the Amsterdam Light Festival is by Canal Cruise. The basic canal boat tour during the Amsterdam Light Festival takes you to see the light sculptures, but there is only an audio guide on board.
Tickets Amsterdam Lights Festival Cruise
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 2019/2020 and 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.