Yes, mulled wine is included on the Amsterdam Light Festival cruise with Pure Boats. Every guest receives complimentary warm mulled wine as part of the experience, along with Dutch snacks and full open bar service throughout the journey. There is no extra charge for these refreshments during the cruise.
The Amsterdam Light Festival transforms the city’s UNESCO-listed canals into an outdoor gallery of illuminated artworks each winter, and enjoying it from the water with a warm drink in hand makes the experience truly special. Whether you join a shared group tour or book a private cruise, the drinks and snacks are always part of the package.
Below, we answer the most common questions about what to expect on your Light Festival cruise, from the full drink and snack menu to cruise duration, private booking options, and the stunning artworks you will encounter along the route.
What Drinks and Snacks Are Served During the Light Festival Cruise?
The Light Festival cruise features an open bar with mulled wine, seasonal craft beers, quality European wines, soft drinks, and organic juices. For snacks, guests enjoy Dutch farmhouse cheese and other locally sourced bites. Everything served aboard is carefully selected to reflect authentic Amsterdam flavours.
We take pride in sourcing our refreshments locally. From the gin to the tasty bites, if it is not local, we most likely do not serve it. This commitment means you can taste Amsterdam while you see it, experiencing the city through both the views and the carefully curated menu.
The warm mulled wine is particularly popular during the winter months when the Light Festival takes place. As you glide through the illuminated canals, the combination of the warming drink and the crisp evening air creates a cosy atmosphere that feels distinctly Dutch. Our selection of seasonal craft beers offers variety for those who prefer something different, while the European wines provide an elegant option for wine enthusiasts.
All drinks and snacks are included in your cruise ticket, so there is no need to bring your wallet aboard. The open bar service means you can enjoy as much as you like throughout your journey, allowing you to relax completely and focus on the spectacular light installations around you.
How Long Does the Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise Last?
The Amsterdam Light Festival cruise lasts approximately 75 to 90 minutes, giving you ample time to see the major light installations while enjoying drinks and snacks aboard. This duration allows for a comfortable pace through the canal routes without feeling rushed.
The length of the cruise is carefully designed to cover the festival’s key artworks while maintaining a relaxed atmosphere. Unlike rushed tours that speed past installations, our captains take the time to position the boat for optimal viewing of each piece, sharing stories and context about the artists and their creations.
During the cruise, you will navigate through both the main canal belt and smaller waterways that larger tour boats cannot access. These quieter routes often feature some of the festival’s most intimate installations, and the extra time allows for detours based on what guests want to see or where the most impressive pieces are located that evening.
The timing also accounts for the social aspect of the experience. With smaller groups of 6 to 24 guests, there is a genuine opportunity for conversation with fellow passengers and your captain. Many guests find that the 75 to 90 minutes pass quickly, as they become absorbed in the combination of stunning visuals, good company, and quality refreshments.
Can You Book a Private Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise?
Yes, you can book a private Amsterdam Light Festival cruise for your group. Private bookings are available for groups of 6 to 24 guests, depending on which boat you choose. This option gives you exclusive use of one of our handcrafted electric canal boats for the entire experience.
A private cruise transforms the Light Festival into your own personal celebration. Whether you are marking a birthday, hosting visiting family and friends, or organising a memorable corporate event, having the boat to yourselves creates an intimate atmosphere that shared tours simply cannot match.
What Makes a Private Cruise Different?
On a private cruise, the route can be customised based on your preferences. Your captain can make detours to specific installations that interest your group or spend extra time at particular artworks. The experience becomes a conversation rather than a presentation, with your captain sharing Amsterdam stories and answering questions from your group.
Private bookings also allow for special touches. We work with local caterers, florists, and photographers to create truly unique experiences. Imagine proposing to your partner surrounded by glowing light installations, or surprising a friend with a birthday celebration complete with champagne and their favourite music playing softly in the background.
Which Boats Are Available for Private Hire?
Our fleet includes five carefully restored classic electric canal boats, each with its own character. The Stan Huygens, once the iconic yacht chartered weekly by Freddy Heineken, offers particular prestige for special occasions. Smaller groups might prefer the intimate Geertje, while larger gatherings can choose vessels like our newest addition, Danique, which comfortably hosts 20 guests with a stunning mahogany and marble bar.
Every boat in our fleet has been upcycled from complete scraps into head-turning, fully electric vessels. This means your private cruise is not only exclusive but also sustainable, creating a positive environmental impact on the Amsterdam canals.
What Light Festival Artworks Will You See on the Cruise?
You will see approximately 20 to 25 large-scale light installations created by international artists, displayed along the historic canal routes. The artworks change each year, featuring new themes and artists while maintaining the festival’s reputation for innovative, thought-provoking illuminated sculptures.
The Amsterdam Light Festival attracts artists from around the world who create pieces specifically for the city’s unique canal setting. Installations range from abstract light sculptures suspended over bridges to interactive pieces that respond to movement or sound. Some artworks span entire canal sections, while others are intimate pieces tucked into surprising locations.
What makes the experience special is seeing these artworks from the water, the perspective they were designed for. Many installations look completely different from a boat than from the street, with reflections in the canal water becoming part of the artwork itself. The gentle movement of the boat adds another dimension, as the lights shift and change as you glide past.
Our captains know the festival routes intimately and can share insights about individual artists and the stories behind their creations. They also know the best angles and moments to view each piece, positioning the boat to give you optimal perspectives for photographs and appreciation.
The festival typically runs from late November through mid January, with the exact dates varying each year. During this period, the installations are lit each evening, creating a magical atmosphere that draws visitors from around the world to experience Amsterdam’s canals in an entirely new light.
How Pure Boats Helps You Experience the Amsterdam Light Festival
We provide a complete exclusive canal tour Amsterdam experience that combines the wonder of the Light Festival with genuine luxury and personal service. Our approach ensures every guest enjoys the festival to its fullest.
- Handcrafted electric boats designed by superyacht designers, offering sustainable cruising with zero emissions
- Small group sizes of 6 to 24 guests, creating an intimate atmosphere unlike crowded tour boats
- Complimentary open bar with mulled wine, craft beers, European wines, and Dutch farmhouse cheese
- Live commentary from knowledgeable captains who share personalised stories and can adjust routes based on your interests
- Access to smaller canals where larger boats cannot go, revealing hidden installations and quieter viewing spots
- Private cruise options for birthdays, proposals, corporate events, and special celebrations
Ready to experience the Amsterdam Light Festival aboard one of our beautiful boats? Book your Amsterdam Light Festival cruise today and create a memory that will stay with you long after the lights have faded.
