Sightseeing Cruises

Amsterdam Light Festival Covered Canal Cruise

Name: Amsterdam Light Festival Covered Canal Cruise
Start: 2026-01-16T19:15:00
End: 2026-01-16T19:15:00
Location: Amsterdam

Friends toasting drinks on Amsterdam Light Festival canal cruise.

Man pointing at illuminated canal view during Amsterdam Light Festival cruise.

Illuminated swan sculptures on Amsterdam canal during Light Festival cruise.

Silhouette of a person viewing illuminated art installation during Amsterdam Light Festival canal cruise.

Duration

1 hr 15 min

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Audio guide

Enhance your experience with multilingual audio guide

3.6/5

(159)

Carine

Nov 2025

Verified booking

5/5

Amsterdam’s canals and bridges turn into a nighttime museum of glowing installations, reflections, and sculptures. The artworks blend with the historic architecture in a way that feels almost cinematic. Each year has a new theme—ideas like “Disrupt!” or “Imagine Beyond” and artists from around the world create installations that respond to it. Many pieces spark reflection about technology, climate, community, or imagination.

Silvana

Dec 2025

Verified booking

5/5

It was a very nice experience and our captain was a great skipper. I can only recommend this event. We had the 7:45 p.m. cruise and were of course amazed by the illuminated works of art, which don't really come into their own in the light. We walked past some of them without even realizing that they were there. So make sure you book the boat after dark.

Johanna

Dec 2025

Verified booking

5/5

You can also view the light artworks of the Amsterdam Light Festival on foot, but by heated boat is obviously more comfortable. The explanations came in Dutch and English through loudspeakers. The most fun I had was to show our 6-year-old grandson the city in a way that was also special for him. For him we had chosen the early 4:30 p.m. tour, but it got dark soon enough (December 23).

Sail for 75-mins along the official festival route, gliding past over 20 illuminated artworks that transform Amsterdam’s historic canals into glowing nighttime art.

Listen to an engaging audio guide in English and Dutch sharing the stories, inspiration, and creative process behind each dazzling festival installation.

Settle into a warm enclosed boat offering panoramic windows, complimentary WiFi, and a convenient onboard restroom for a smooth and comfortable festival journey.

75-minute canal cruise on official Light Festival route

Audio guide in English & Dutch about art and artists

Heated, closed boat seating

Free WiFi on board

Restroom on board

Meals and drinks (hot chocolate and gluhwein available for purchase)

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Tips/gratuities

Transfers to/from departure point

TOTAL DURATION75 minutes
FREQUENCYEvery 15 mins
MODE OF TRANSFERBoat
1 Boarding point
Damrak 22
Get direction
Sights covered
Amsterdam Centraal Station
Hortus Botanicus
Magere Brug
Herengracht
Grachtengordel
Brouwersgracht
Haarlemmersluis

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

3.6
159 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from France, United Kingdom, Germany and over 10 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
André
Jan 2026
Verified booking
4/5
Well organized, easy to arrive and easy to board. Guide with good humor and providing good information about buildings and sightseeings. My only frustration is that I was expecting more from the light festival in Amsterdam. The monuments could be more illuminated.
Lothar
Jan 2026
Verified booking
4/5
The geese taking off and the illumination of the building as well as the children's work are particularly impressive. Thank you very much!
Yaroslav
Jan 2026
Verified booking
5/5
It was an unforgettable adventure. The festival's facilities themselves are magnificent, especially the Windows, Swans, and Antennas. The Nemo Museum looks fantastic. The evening canal cruise itself was incredibly inspiring. The windows and roof of the ship provided excellent views, and it was warm and comfortable.
Peters
Jan 2026
Verified booking
5/5
Beautiful cruise boat light festival in The Amsterdam canals. Beautiful lights to see and behold the canals and illuminations. On the evening the city is different than usual. Illuminated houses, silhouettes illuminated in different locations etc.
Tanja
Jan 2026
Verified booking
3/5
Instead of 75 minutes, the journey took less than an hour. The Light Festival is nothing spectacular, you can give it a miss. The best thing was to see the city in the evening with the Christmas lights.

What to bring

Have your entry tickets and ID ready for a seamless experience.

Carry your earphones for an immersive audio guide experience.

What’s not allowed

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

Due to venue restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.

Accessibility

The experience may not be fully wheelchair accessible. Please check with the operator in advance if you have specific accessibility needs.

Your guide dogs are welcome at the venue.

Additional information

Hot chocolate and gluhwein are available for purchase.

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.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.