Canal Motorboats

Amsterdam light festival cruise tickets


The 13th edition of the Amsterdam Light Festival

During the 13th edition of the Amsterdam Light Festival, you will be taken into the wonderful world of Rituals. As the Amsterdam Light Festival says: Rituals are inextricably linked to various transitions: from past to future, from winter to summer, from youth to adulthood. Light plays an indispensable role in many rituals, symbolizing joy, energy, and life.

Artwork route Light Festival Amsterdam

Chosen from hundreds of entries, the chosen light artworks can be admired up close from the water. The artworks come to life at dusk and are breathtakingly beautiful with all their effects. Combined with Amsterdam’s canals, this is a unique experience and sight in Amsterdam. From November 28th 2024 until January 19th 2025 the festival is open to everyone. The lights go on at 17:00 and can be admired until 23:00. You can buy a digital route map with extra information about all the artworks via the Amsterdam Light Festival website for €7.50. We recommend renting a boat for a minimum of 3 hours.

Rent a boat for Amsterdam Light Festival 2024-2025

At Canal Motorboats, we have been impressed by this festival for years and advise our clients to visit this festival. You can rent a boat in Amsterdam and cruise the light route along the artworks. The electrically powered boats are ideally suited to admire the artworks up close. From 5 pm, it gets dark and the artworks come to life. Give your imagination free rein and come and enjoy all the beauty this festival has to offer!

We recommend renting a boat for at least 3 hours or longer to take the Amsterdam Light Festival route. 

Tip: fun to do with the family or with colleagues

The light festival is for all ages. so perfect for a family outing or a company outing. Cruise along the route of lights and learn about the artworks as you cruise along the beautiful canals. This year’s theme is extra magical. Explore Amsterdam with the family and make it a great evening. Bonus tip: get some food on the way or beforehand and make it a cosy dinner on the boat. We’ll give you a few ideas for delicious foods to bring.

What do our customers say?

How does it work?

Discover Amsterdam in a unique way with Canal Motorboats! Reserve your boat, choose a date and time, come to our rental, and sail through the canals! Fun on the water guaranteed!

  • Choose a boat, date and time
  • Place your reservation
  • Come to our boat rental
  • Sail through Amsterdam

Where can you find us?

Do you have a question?

We offer 3 options:
  1. Rent a private boat and sail yourself
  2. Rent a private boat with a skipper for 30 people
  3. Public boat tours of 1 hour

We are open every day, all year round. These are our opening hours:
  • Monday: 10:00 - 22:00
  • Tuesday: 10:00 - 22:00
  • Wednesday: 10:00 - 22:00
  • Thursday: 10:00 - 22:00
  • Friday: 10:00 - 22:00
  • Saturday: 10:00 - 22:00
  • Sunday: 10:00 - 22:00

In addition to the regular boat fee, we are required to charge city tax at €2.50 per person. This applies to all boat rental companies in Amsterdam.

Yes, we provide enjoyable corporate outings, friend outings, team-building events, and family outings. We can organize a fun scavenger hunt, catering, or for example, go plastic fishing during the boat trip. Rent multiple small boats that you can sail yourself or choose for a private cruise boat with a captain and space for 30 people.

Of course! Every year we have some great offers during popular events such as King's Day, Amsterdam Gay pride and Amsterdam Light Festival. The rental of the boats usually starts 4 to 6 months in advance. So, make sure to book in advance to secure a boat.

Available boats

  • Small boats that you can sail yourself
  • Private canal boats with a captain and space for 30 people
  • Tickets for the large canal cruise boats

Do you need to sail yourself or is there a captain?

Please note: on King's Day, you always rent a boat with a captain. You can rent both the small boats and the large private canal cruise boat with space for 30 people. On other holidays/events, you are allowed to sail yourself.

Food and drinks

Regarding food and drinks on King's Day and Gay Pride: On the small boats where you are the captain, you may bring your own food and drinks. On the large boats (30-person boats), it's only allowed to bring your own food. We will arrange the drinks for you.  

Plastic fishing is only possible when you rent a boat to sail yourself. You can book plastic fishing with us for a low rate of €3 per person. You will receive all the necessary equipment on board to fish for plastic from the canals during your boat trip, including nets and garbage bags. It’s not only a lot of fun, but also good for the environment!

You can choose from various locations in Amsterdam. Please note: where you pick up the boat, you must also return the boat. Check all directions to our boat rentals.
  • Zandhoek 22, 1013 KT Amsterdam
  • Westerdoksdijk 705, 1013 BX Amsterdam
  • Nassaukade 341, 1053LZ Amsterdam
  • Polonceaukade 20, 1014 DA Amsterdam

Canal Motorboats is one of the most affordable boat rental companies in the city. You can rent a boat that you can sail yourself starting from €100 for 2 hours. Each additional hour is €50 per hour. This way, you can decide how long you want to cruise the canals. Check our rates for more information.

Yes, life jackets for children are available for free. Are you with a large group of children? Please contact us beforehand to make sure we have enough life jackets available.
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Opening hours

Mon till sun: 10 am – 1o pm

+ 31 (0) 20 422 70 07