The Amsterdam Light Festival is an annual event that takes place in Amsterdam during the winter. One great thing about the festival is that locals can enjoy the art for free as well so it really benefits the city.
The Amsterdam Light Festival 2024-’25 takes a similar route as previous years. The route starts at Central Station and continues via NEMO science museum to Hortus and all the way along Herengracht. If you decide to walk, we recommend supporting the festival by going to their website and getting their official app.
You can also book an early spot on one of our bike tours: Amsterdam light festival tour with guide by bike >>
- The festival of 2024/2025 starts at November 28, 2024.
- The Amsterdam Light Festival lasts until the third week of January.
- It lasts for at least 6 weeks.
- You can also choose to rent a bike overnight, for 24 hours, without a guide. Reserve your bike here.
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. And 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 easy to start at Central Station and walk from there.
Guided bike tour along the artworks
We have created an official bike tour along the festival route. Our guide will tell you everything about the artworks and the city. No need to have a map or phone in hand, just enjoy the artworks!
Advantages of a bike tour along the route are plenty!
- See both the artworks on water as the artworks on land
- Learn more about the history of Amsterdam along the way
- Decrease time between artworks compared to walking
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 Amsterdam 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 2024-2025: Amsterdam Light Festival tour with guide by bike >>
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.
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.
