Amsterdam Light Festival open boat cruise

A unique light experience on the water during Amsterdam Light Festival 2025

Something magical happens in Amsterdam during the winter months. As soon as dusk falls, the canals light up with works of art by artists from around the world. During the Amsterdam Light Festival, the familiar canals are transformed into an open-air museum that you can sail through for two months.

From an open boat, you can experience the installations as they were intended: from the water, where the artworks are reflected and doubled. You sail quietly under illuminated bridges, past facades that have suddenly become works of art. The city you thought you knew reveals itself from an entirely new perspective. You can’t get any closer to the art, and that’s what makes this tour through illuminated Amsterdam so special.

What can you expect from the open boat tour?

During this special festival cruise, you will sail through the heart of the city with a small group. The light artworks are located along the route and have been specially designed for the fourteenth edition of the festival. This year’s overarching theme is Legacy: what we leave behind, what we take with us and how we want to be remembered.

From the first to the last light installation, you will be taken on a journey through time, memory and the future. Along the way, the skipper will tell you all about the artworks, their creators and the ideas behind them. Sailing this close to the artworks lets you spot details you would easily miss from the shore.

Want to stay warm during the cruise? Don’t worry: we have warm blankets on board, so you can sit comfortably even on chilly winter evenings.

Practical information about the cruise

• Duration of the cruise: approx. 90 minutes
• Dates: daily from 27 November 2025 to 18 January 2026
• Time: between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.
• We depart from: Stadhouderskade 501 (opposite the Hard Rock Café)
• Bad weather: in case of extreme weather, the cruise may be cancelled. We will then contact you to offer an alternative.
• Wheelchair accessibility: unfortunately, the open boat is not wheelchair accessible. For a comfortable and accessible option, you can choose our covered boat tour.

Why choose an open boat?

The open boat offers you a festival experience you won’t find anywhere else. Instead of sitting behind glass, you can feel the fresh air, hear the sounds of the city and you’ll sail so close to the artworks, it feels like you could almost touch them. The small group size creates a personal atmosphere, and thanks to the skipper’s explanations, you will learn more about the art and this year’s theme, Legacy, in an accessible way. A unique tour that will truly move you.

Book your spot on the open boat now

Would you like to experience the Amsterdam Light Festival in a special way? Up close, in an intimate setting, in the middle of the water? Then this open boat cruise is exactly what you are looking for. Perfect for those looking for a unique winter activity with a touch of magic.

Simply book your tickets via our website. No need to print anything: just show your e-ticket when boarding and enjoy an evening full of light, art and wonder.

Have you got a taste for it and want to see Amsterdam in a different way? Then join our Evening Cruise later in the evening, or book the Blue Sky Boat for the summer: an open boat for sunny days. There is also plenty of choice for families: with the Kids Cruise, children go on an adventure with Johnny the Mouse.

Do you have any questions? Please contact us on +31 (0)20 679 1370 or send an email to info@blueboat.nl. We are happy to help!