The Amsterdam Light Festival is an annual event that takes place in Amsterdam during the winter. It lasts for at least 6 weeks and attracts thousands of visitors each year.
We will elaborate on the ’24/’25 route later. Keep an eye on this page or reserve an early spot on one of our bike tours: Amsterdam light festival tour with guide by bike >>
- The light festival of 2024/2025 start at November 28, 2024 and lasts until the third week of January.
Is the Amsterdam Light Festival free?
Yes. The light festival is free to visit for everyone. The Amsterdam Light Festival is organised by a foundation that is depending on small contributions and partnerships. We have an official partnership with the festival and organise this years bike tour!
If you book a bike tour to the Amsterdam Light Festival, you will…
- Learn more about the art and the city along the way, from our experienced guide
- Can take the most time to study the artworks and how they work or sometimes change over time
- Can visit both the artworks on land and see artworks along the water
- Get swifter transport between the artworks then walking.
How do you get to the light festival in Amsterdam?
You can start at any artwork as the route can be walked as a circle. It is usually easy to start at Central Station and walk from there.
Bike tour along the artworks
This year, we will again develop a special bike tour along the festival route. Our guide will tell you everything about the artworks and the city. No need to have a map in hand, just enjoy the artworks while listening to the stories.
You can also choose to rent a bike overnight, for 24 hours, without a guide. Reserve your bike here.
Where are the artworks of the light festival located?
The light festival is usually located in the center and/or central eastern part of the city of Amsterdam. It has been held since 2012 and has emerged from the 2009 ‘Christmas Canal Parade’. The festival is free to attend and open to the public. Visitors can view the artworks in the evening when the lights are turned on.
The Amsterdam Light Festival route
The 2022/2023 route followed the Eastern part of the city center:
Starting from Central Station, to NEMO, following the route along Entrepotdok, Sarphatistraat and along Roeterseiland to the Amstel river. The route then continued via Waterlooplein and the Montelbaanstoren back to Central Station.
We will elaborate on the ’24/’25 route later. Keep an eye on this page or reserve an early spot on one of our bike tours: Amsterdam light festival tour with guide by bike >>
How long does it take to walk the light festival?
With the large number of stops this year and time to enjoy the artworks we expect the average group to walk 2.5 hours to finish the entire route. We offer 1.5 hour guided bike tours if you prefer cycling.
How many km is the light festival?
The festival route is usually 6-8 kilometers long, depending on the route you choose to take.
Artworks designed for the festival
Every winter sees a new edition of Amsterdam Light Festival, for more than 11 years now. Artworks are made especially for the festival.
The festival also realizes special projects in collaboration with artists, partners and various stakeholders from the city. For example, hundreds of Amsterdam primary school students participate. The festival also has a collaboration with the Breitner Academy, in which young talent develops a light artwork for the festival. These collaborations have been a permanent part of the festival for many years now.
