Glide past illuminated artworks and historic canals on a boat of your own, and see Amsterdam Light Festival the way it was designed to be seen: from the water. Choose a private boat tour just for your group, a small shared canal cruise, or a dinner cruise on request.
The most comfortable way to see Amsterdam Light Festival is on a private boat tour, with a boat all to yourselves. A private cruise gives you a heated, covered boat, a local captain who knows the festival route, and drinks and snacks on board, so you can take in the artworks at your own pace instead of squeezing onto a busy public boat.
We work with two of Amsterdam’s best small boat companies, Pure Boats and Smidtje, both official partners of the festival. Pure Boats sails fully electric boats, so the canals stay peaceful while you cruise. Would you rather share? Small-group cruises are available further down this page.
Private Amsterdam Light Festival cruises sail from 5pm-10pm, and can vary in duration from 2 to 3 hours. During this time, you have the entire boat to yourself, and you will be able to get up close to the artworks. Your guide is your captain, who will attend to all of your needs. An open bar and snack options can be included.
An intimate cruise, shared with a small group of like-minded people, up to a maximum of 16 or 24. The duration of the cruise ranges between 90 minutes and 2 hours.
A private cruise means the whole boat is yours for the evening. Cruises sail between 5pm and 10pm and last from 2 to 3 hours, depending on how much of the evening you would like to spend on the water.
– A local captain who knows the festival route and looks after you on board
– A heated, covered boat, including fully electric boats from Pure Boats
– Mulled wine, craft beers, fine wines and Dutch snacks, with an open bar available
– Pick-up from other places in the city, as a bespoke extra
Celebrating something special? Let us know, and we can arrange extras such as champagne, flowers or a candlelit dinner.
Because we are not a boat company ourselves, we can recommend the cruise that suits you best rather than the one we happen to own. We work with two of Amsterdam’s best boat operators, Pure Boats and Smidtje, both official partners of the festival, and between them they offer private and shared cruises for every kind of evening. Here is how the options compare.
| Pure Boats private | Smidtje private | Pure Boats shared | Circle Line shared | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Private, the whole boat is yours | Private, the whole boat is yours | Shared small group | Shared |
| Boat | Fully electric saloon boats, covered and heated | Classic saloon boats and historic ships | Fully electric boat, covered and heated | Heated boat with an open back deck |
| Group size | 6 to 24 guests, depending on the boat | Larger boats for up to 65 guests, several boats for bigger groups | Maximum 16 guests | Larger shared boat |
| Duration | 90 minutes to 3 hours | 90 minutes to 3 hours | 90 minutes | 75 minutes |
| Departs from | City centre, confirmed when you book | Several boarding points in the centre | Keizersgracht or Herengracht | City centre, confirmed when you book |
| On board | Mulled wine, craft beers, wines and Dutch snacks, open bar available | Drinks and bites on request | Craft beers, European wines and mulled wine | Drinks available on board |
| Dinner | On request, as a bespoke extra | On request, as a bespoke extra | Not available | Not available |
| Ages | All ages, children’s life jackets on request | All ages | 14 and over | All ages |
| Best for | Couples, families and small groups who want a quiet, private evening | Larger groups, celebrations and company evenings | Couples and solo travellers who enjoy a relaxed, social cruise | A shorter, easy-going way to see the artworks |
Not sure which to choose? Tell us who is coming and what you would like from the evening, and we will recommend the right cruise for you.
Would you like to combine the Light Festival with dinner? A private cruise can become a dinner cruise, with a meal served on board while you glide past the illuminated artworks.
Dinner cruises are always arranged as a bespoke experience, so we can match the menu, the boat and the timing to your group, from a relaxed buffet to a multi-course dinner. Let us know your date, group size and any dietary wishes, and we will put together a proposal for you.
The 15th edition of Amsterdam Light Festival runs from 26th November 2026 until 17th January 2027. To mark the anniversary, the festival moves to a new route through the eastern side of the historic centre, with new light artworks along the Nieuwe Prinsengracht, Plantage Muidergracht, Nieuwe Keizersgracht and Nieuwe Herengracht.
Lighting times for 2026 will be published by the festival closer to the opening, and we will add them here as soon as they are announced.
For the artworks, the story of the festival and tips for walking the route, read our Amsterdam Light Festival 2026 guide. Tickets and official information are on the Amsterdam Light Festival website.
Private cruises sail between 5pm and 10pm and last from 90 minutes to 3 hours, so you can choose how much of the evening you spend on the water. Shared cruises take 75 to 90 minutes. If you would like a different time or a longer cruise, tell us what you have in mind and we will arrange it.
Yes. The fully electric Pure Boats fleet is covered, or partly covered, and heated during the winter months, and the Smidtje saloon boats are enclosed, with the option to open them up on a mild evening. The Circle Line shared cruise also sails a heated boat, with an open back deck for photos. Bring a warm coat, scarf and gloves for boarding and for any time you spend outside.
Private Pure Boats cruises take from 6 to 24 guests, depending on the boat, from the intimate saloon boat Lucy for up to 6 guests to the historic Stan Huygens for up to 24. Smidtje has larger boats for up to 65 guests, and several boats can sail together for bigger groups. Planning an evening for colleagues or clients? Have a look at our corporate and group experiences.
On a private Pure Boats cruise you can enjoy homemade mulled wine, craft beers, European wines and Dutch snacks with farmhouse cheese, with an open bar available. Anything more, such as a buffet or a dinner on board, can be arranged on request as part of a bespoke cruise.
Yes. A private cruise is a relaxed way to see the festival with children, as you have the boat to yourselves and can stay warm inside. Life jackets for children are available on request. The shared Pure Boats cruises are for ages 14 and over. Looking for something to do during the day as well? Take a look at our private family tour of Amsterdam.
The cruises sail in the rain, as the boats are covered and heated, and wet evenings often make the reflections of the artworks even more striking. Only severe weather, such as a storm or dangerous winds, stops the boats, and in that case the operator will reschedule your cruise for another festival evening.
The shared Pure Boats cruises depart from the Keizersgracht or the H*Art, depending on the duration you book. Private cruises can board at several points in the city centre, and a pick-up from elsewhere, such as close to your hotel, is always possible as a bespoke extra at an additional cost. We will confirm your exact boarding point when you book.
The cruises follow the official Amsterdam Light Festival route along the canals. For 2026 the festival moves to a new route through the eastern side of the historic centre. Our Amsterdam Light Festival 2026 guide covers the route and the artworks in more detail.
As early as you can. Weekends and the Christmas holidays book up first, so we recommend reserving a private cruise at least two to four weeks ahead. Weekday evenings are usually quieter on the water.
If you would rather cruise for a different length of time, an alternative time of day, or perhaps you have a specific request for a special event or celebration? Just let us know and we will arrange things for you.
How about a local pickup/drop off, a candlelit dinner, or maybe a specific route taking in a favourite location? It’s the little extras that can turn a private boat cruise into a magical Amsterdam experience.
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