From november 27, 2026 to january 18, 2027, Amsterdam’s canals will once again be beautifully illuminated for the Amsterdam Light Festival. Rent a boat from Canal Motorboats or hop aboard our cruise ship.
Price per hour
€50
Starting price
€15
Starting price
€400
Would you like to take the Amsterdam Light Festival route by yourself? You can rent a boat from us for a minimum of 3 hours. This gives you plenty of time to complete the route, and no boating license is required. You’ll receive a route map we’ve carefully created, guiding you along the artworks. For €7.50, you can also purchase an official map on the Amsterdam Light Festival website with extra details about all the artworks and a suggested route.
Tip: Perfect for a romantic evening or a fun outing with friends and family.
Rent a boat and sail yourself
Are you coming with a large group or would you prefer not to steer yourself? Choose our private boat with an experienced captain, catering, unlimited drinks, and optional extras. Tip: Ideal for special occasions like birthdays, family gatherings, or team building.
Experience the Amsterdam Light Festival with others during a 1-hour and 15-minute group cruise. Our cruises depart at set times in front of Amsterdam Central Station, so make sure to book in advance. Tip: Great for small groups, families, dates, or solo outings.
Discover the Amsterdam Light Festival from the water. With Canal Motorboats, you can experience the festival in three different ways: steer your own boat, relax on a private boat with a captain, or join a group cruise. There is an option for every type of outing.
The Amsterdam Light Festival returns from 27 November 2026 to 18 January 2027. Although the theme of this edition has not yet been announced, you can once again look forward to spectacular light installations along Amsterdam’s canals.
The artworks are selected from hundreds of submissions and can be admired up close from the water. As darkness falls, the installations really come to life, with light effects, reflections on the canals and Amsterdam’s historic city centre as the backdrop.
The light installations are on daily from 4:30 PM to 11:00 PM.
During the Christmas holidays, the lights also stay on until 11:00 PM every day. The only exception is New Year’s Eve, 31 December, when they switch off earlier at 9:00 PM.
Please note: The artwork shown in images is from previous editions of the Amsterdam Light Festival.
Monday till Sunday: 10:00 – 22:00
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