Lights on the canals from 26 November

The 15th edition is scheduled for 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027. The installations on the new route through central Amsterdam are lit daily from 16:30 to 23:00, with a 21:00 finish on 31 December. The organizer has announced three Light Nights, on 26 November and 12 and 19 December, with special activities along the route.

Walk the whole route or just a section

The 4.5 km route can be walked in sections. The organizer lists the Light Walk at €7.99 with audio and written guides in the app, and the Kids Walk at €3.99 with a Dutch-language puzzle booklet. The walking page lists availability from 24 November 2026. Amsterdam Centraal and Waterlooplein are close to the route. Expect uneven paving and steep bridges in the city centre.

Covered boat or open boat

The cruise takes about 75 minutes. The festival lists the covered, heated boat with a toilet and the open boat with blankets at €29.75 each. Those are the published prices for the two formats. Check the time, boarding point and seats for your chosen departure. If you need wheelchair access, check with the individual operator before booking.

Choosing what to do with your evening

If time is tight, pick a section near the stop you’ll use to head back and leave the rest optional. For a view from the water in rain or wind, consider the covered boat. For a clearer open-air view, consider the open boat and dress to sit outdoors.

The photograph

Amsterdam at blue hour, 16 December 2025. Resized archive photograph of the city by Jorge Franganillo, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.

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November 13, 2026

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