Amsterdam Light Festival: When the City Turns Into a Sea of Light

From the 27th of November to the 18th January, the city transforms into an open-air museum of light, the Amsterdam Light Festival.
It’s a journey through light-art installations from artists around the world along the canals.

You step aboard a canal boat or wander through the streets, and suddenly, everything feels new. The reflections shimmer in unfamiliar colors; bridges pulse with light; and the quiet of the night becomes a symphony of stories.

What Makes the Amsterdam Light Festival So Special?

It’s more than an exhibition, it’s an experience.
Each year, the festival embraces a new theme that challenges artists to explore the relationship between light, art, and the city itself. From Imagine Beyond to Disrupt! and now: Legacy. Every edition invites you to to pause and admire. The artworks are spread across Amsterdam’s historic center, and you can explore them on foot or by boat.
The canal cruises are iconic: gliding under illuminated bridges, with cold air brushing your cheeks and the water reflecting kaleidoscopic light.

Light as a Language

What makes the Amsterdam Light Festival unique is its emotional depth.Each installation tells a story, sometimes poetic, sometimes political, sometimes simply beautiful. A tree glowing in icy blue to raise awareness for climate change. A tunnel of mirrors confronting you with your own reflection. A floating cloud of fiber optics, pulsing gently like a heartbeat, it al happens at the Amsterdam Light Festival.

A Winter Night That Stays With You

Whether you’re walking hand in hand with someone you love, exploring with friends, or just letting the city guide you, the Amsterdam Light Festival touches everyone differently. The crisp air, the scent of hot chocolate, the soft rippling of the water, it’s sensory, emotional, and unforgettable. This festival lightens the darker days.

Continue the Journey at AMAZE Amsterdam

When the outdoor lights fade, step into a world where the light never ends, AMAZE Amsterdam. An immersive 3,000 m² playground of light, sound, and emotion created by the visionaries behind ID&T. Explore seven unique rooms that take you from stillness to euphoria, a multisensory adventure that blurs the line between art and technology.

Plan Your Visit to the Amsterdam Light Festival 2025

📍 Location: Along the canals of central Amsterdam, download the app for the route.

📅 Dates: 27 November 2025 – 18 January 2026🚶

Tip: Combine your Light Festival walk or boat tour with a visit to AMAZE for a full day of light, sound, and sensory art.

A Final Glow

There’s something deeply moving about the way the city and light embrace each other during this festival. You do not want to miss this.

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