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 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, Pure Boats offers a smaller and more personal way to experience one of Amsterdam’s most popular winter events. Our electric boutique boats combine comfort, atmosphere and local storytelling, giving you time to enjoy both the artworks and the city around you.
The Amsterdam Light Festival 2026/2027 takes place from 26 November 2026 until 17 January 2027. Edition 15 celebrates 15 years of light art in Amsterdam and introduces a brand-new festival route featuring works by national and international artists.
Exploring the festival from the water allows you to experience the illuminated artworks while moving through the canals that form part of Amsterdam’s unique cityscape. Reflections on the water, historic architecture and winter evenings create a setting that is very different from experiencing the festival on foot.
Pure Boats offers both 90-minute and extended 2-hour experiences. Selected 2-hour departures give you additional time on the water, combining the festival with more of Amsterdam’s iconic canal scenery. Guests looking for a shorter experience can choose our 90-minute cruise aboard Stan Huygens, departing closer to the festival route.
Beautiful art deserves time. Rather than rushing through the evening, our approach is to give you time to enjoy the artworks, hear their stories, have another drink and take in Amsterdam after dark.
A Pure Boats Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour is designed to keep you comfortable while giving you plenty of time to enjoy the art and atmosphere of the festival. Exact inclusions vary depending on the experience booked.
Amsterdam’s winter evenings can be cold, so comfort is an important part of the experience. Our boutique fleet is prepared for winter cruising with features such as heated interiors, protective canopies and warm blankets, depending on the boat.
Enjoy a drink as Amsterdam lights up around you, watch the artworks reflect across the water and experience the festival without giving up the comfort of a welcoming boat. It is a relaxed way to spend a winter evening in the city while seeing Amsterdam from a completely different perspective.
An Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour allows you to see the illuminated artworks directly from the canals, where many installations have been designed to be experienced from the water. From the boat, you can enjoy clear views of the art while discovering Amsterdam’s historic waterways at the same time.
During your cruise, your local captain or host will share stories about the artworks, the festival and Amsterdam itself. Settle in with a drink, enjoy the winter atmosphere and watch the installations reflect across the canals as you move through the city at a relaxed pace.
Pure Boats offers 90-minute and 2-hour Amsterdam Light Festival boat tours. The duration depends on the shared or private experience and boat you choose
Our fleet is prepared for Amsterdam's winter weather. Depending on the boat, you can expect heated interiors, protective canopies and warm blankets to keep you comfortable throughout the cruise.
Drinks and food options depend on the experience you book. Selected cruises include drinks and Dutch bites, while private tours offer additional options such as champagne, festive drinks and bespoke catering.
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.
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.
Departure locations depend on the Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour you choose. Our extended 2-hour experiences depart from Keizersgracht, while the 90-minute Stan Huygens cruise departs from H'ART Museum. Private tour departure locations may vary depending on the boat selected.
