Join a Amsterdam Light Festival canal cruise and see the city’s glowing artworks from the comfort of a heated boat with drinks and snacks.
Experience the magic of the Amsterdam Light Festival from the comfort of a boutique canal cruise with Pure Boats. Choose between a shared Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour or a private canal cruise and discover the city’s spectacular light artworks from the very best seat on the water.
Unlike larger tourist boats, our boutique electric fleet offers a peaceful and intimate way to experience Amsterdam in winter. Relax aboard heated boats with a premium open bar, seasonal Dutch bites and warm hospitality while cruising quietly through Amsterdam’s illuminated canals. As you drift past world-class light installations, your local captain or host will share fascinating stories about the artworks, Amsterdam’s rich history and the city’s iconic canal belt.
Every winter, the Amsterdam Light Festival transforms the historic canals into one of Europe’s most extraordinary open-air exhibitions. International artists use light to create breathtaking installations that can only truly be appreciated from the water, making a canal cruise one of the most popular ways to experience the festival.
The 2026/2027 edition introduces an exciting new chapter, with a completely redesigned festival route guiding visitors through a different part of Amsterdam. While the official theme and artworks will be announced closer to the festival, one thing remains certain: this year’s experience will be unlike any before.
At Pure Boats, we’ve redesigned our own experience to match. Rather than simply following the artworks as quickly as possible, we’ve created an immersive journey that allows guests to experience both the festival and the timeless beauty of Amsterdam itself.
The Amsterdam Light Festival has become one of the city’s most anticipated annual events. Each winter, artists from around the world transform Amsterdam’s canals with breathtaking light installations that combine art, architecture and technology.
That simple idea became the inspiration behind our newest Amsterdam Light Festival experience.
Rather than rushing from artwork to artwork, we’ve reimagined our signature Amsterdam Light Festival cruise into a fully immersive 2-hour boutique canal cruise. Departing from our Keizersgracht dock, this extended journey allows you to comfortably enjoy both the official festival installations and Amsterdam’s breathtaking Golden Age canal belt.
Instead of simply following the route, you’ll have time to appreciate each installation, enjoy another drink from the open bar, listen to stories from your captain and discover the quieter waterways that make Amsterdam so extraordinary. It is a slower, more relaxed and more personal way to experience the city.
Guests looking for a shorter luxury experience can continue to enjoy our elegant 90-minute Stan Huygens Light Festival cruise departing from a closer location of the light installations.
Whether you’d like to share the evening with fellow travellers or enjoy complete privacy on the water, Pure Boats offers both experiences. From intimate shared departures to fully private luxury charters, our Amsterdam Light Festival cruises have been designed to showcase the city at its most magical while offering the comfort and hospitality we’re known for.
Our shared Amsterdam Light Festival cruises are ideal for couples, friends and solo travellers looking for a relaxed boutique atmosphere. With small group sizes, heated electric boats and premium onboard service, you’ll enjoy a personal experience that’s a world away from the larger sightseeing boats. Selected departures now feature our new immersive 2-hour Amsterdam Light Festival cruise, giving guests more time to enjoy both the official festival route and Amsterdam’s historic canals.
Looking for something more exclusive? Our private Amsterdam Light Festival cruises are perfect for families, friends, festive celebrations and corporate events. Reserve an entire boutique boat, choose your preferred departure location and personalize the experience with champagne, bespoke catering or festive drinks while enjoying Amsterdam’s spectacular light art in complete privacy.
Every Amsterdam Light Festival cruise with Pure Boats has been carefully designed to create a warm, relaxed and memorable winter evening on the canals. From the moment you step aboard, everything is taken care of so you can simply sit back, enjoy the illuminated artworks and experience Amsterdam from the water.
Winter evenings in Amsterdam are magical, but they can also be cold. That’s why every Pure Boats Amsterdam Light Festival cruise has been designed with comfort in mind. Our boutique fleet features heated electric boats, protective canopies, warm lighting and comfortable seating, creating a cosy atmosphere from the moment you step aboard.
Wrap yourself in a soft blanket, enjoy a glass of mulled wine or another drink from the open bar, and watch the illuminated artworks reflect across the canals through large panoramic windows. Whether it’s your first visit to Amsterdam or your tenth, there’s something truly special about experiencing the city from a warm boutique boat while winter unfolds around you.
There are many Amsterdam Light Festival boat tours, but few offer the intimacy of a true boutique experience. At Pure Boats, we believe luxury isn’t about the size of the boat, it’s about the quality of the experience. That’s why we welcome fewer guests, serve premium drinks, cruise aboard beautifully restored electric boats and focus on genuine hospitality rather than mass tourism.
Our new extended 2-hour Amsterdam Light Festival cruise gives you more time to appreciate the artworks, discover Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed canals and simply enjoy the journey. Combined with knowledgeable local captains, elegant surroundings and exceptional service, it’s a relaxed and memorable way to experience one of Europe’s most spectacular winter festivals.
Our restored fleet of electric canal boats include Geertje, Schollevaar, Pure Spirit, Lucy, Stan Huygens, and our newest addition Danique blends timeless design with modern sustainability. Each boat is fully electric, beautifully furnished and designed for a warm, intimate winter cruise through Amsterdam’s illuminated canals.
We can’t wait to welcome you aboard for an evening of light, art, and magic. Book your shared Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour or private canal cruise today and experience the light festival cruise Amsterdam with Pure Boats -boutique, sustainable, and unforgettable.
The Amsterdam Light Festival is one of Europe's most popular winter events, transforming Amsterdam's UNESCO-listed canals into an open-air exhibition of spectacular light installations. During the 15th edition of Amsterdam Light Festival (26 November 2026 - 17 January 2027), internationally renowned artists will present around 20 illuminated artworks that can be experienced throughout the city. While the festival can be explored on foot, many of the installations are designed to be admired from the water, making an Amsterdam Light Festival canal cruise one of the most popular ways to experience the event.
The route for our Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise takes you through the heart of the city, showcasing both the illuminated installations and charming, lesser-known areas. If you're cruising on a private boat, our captain can alter the route depending on your wishes.
It depends on the day! We usually host 3 group ALF cruises, starting around 5 PM. Please check our booking menu at the top of this page to see the available slots. Our private ALF cruises depart on the time of your preference.
For our ALF cruises, we set sail with Geertje, Schollevaar, Pure Spirit, Lucy, Danique or Stan Huygens. We’ve carefully restored and equipped them with heating and cabriolet canopies. These classic electric boats offer a comfortable and eco-friendly way to explore Amsterdam’s canals during winter.
The Light Festival 2025 runs from 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027. During this period, the city transforms into an open-air gallery of light art installations created by international artists. The lights are illuminated every evening, making it one of Amsterdam’s most magical winter attractions.
At Pure Boats, we believe the Amsterdam Light Festival deserves to be experienced in comfort and style. Our luxury cruises take place aboard beautifully maintained boats with elegant interiors, heating, and attentive service throughout the journey. Whether you join a shared cruise or book privately, you'll enjoy an intimate atmosphere, carefully selected drinks and bites, and front-row views of the festival's spectacular light artworks.
We offer two luxury Amsterdam Light Festival experiences. Our elegant Stan Huygens cruise lasts approximately 90 minutes, while our Pure Spirit cruise offers an extended 2-hour experience, giving you even more time to admire the artworks while enjoying drinks and great company.
Absolutely. Amsterdam Light Festival is one of the busiest periods on Amsterdam's canals, and our luxury cruises regularly sell out, especially during weekends and holiday season. We recommend booking as early as possible to secure your preferred date and departure time.
Yes. We offer private Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour for couples, families, corporate groups and special celebrations. A private cruise gives you exclusive use of the boat and can be tailored with catering, drinks and other extras to create a memorable winter experience.
We focus on creating a luxury experience from start to finish. Instead of large tourist boats, we welcome guests aboard elegant vessels with smaller group sizes, personal service and carefully curated hospitality. Combined with premium drinks, comfortable heated interiors and stunning views of the artworks, it's a more intimate way to experience Amsterdam Light Festival.
