Amsterdam Light Festival on a Boat

Every year the beautiful canals of Amsterdam light up for a brightening event when the nights get longer and the cold starts to settle in our days. It is then time for the Amsterdam Light Festival - a long route across the city full of art pieces and installations where light is the primary material. Its lack of materiality though, that of light that is, makes the challenge even more interesting for the artists participating. The solutions presented are often awe inspiring and talented at capturing such immaterial nature. 

In old pagan Northern Europe many traditions used fire in different ways during the dark and long months of the year as a reminder of the dorment life to be birth by the Winter, with the coming of Spring. The most obvious survivor of such traditions are city decorations during Christmas time. The Amsterdam Light Festival can be thought of as a contemporary take on it that mixes tradition, contemporary art and lightening techniques inviting us out of our winter burrows into the illuminated night.

Even though the route can be taken afoot there is no comparison to enjoying it during a boat ride. This is most certainly where you will have an immersive experience of the art installations as you pass them by and feel the light around you. It has become a tradition for us at “We are on a Boat” to organize a sustainable tour during this event, but this year we are even more invested in it as the festival theme, “Disrupt!” calls attention to the issues at the heart of our mission. It invites us to think not only about the dangerous aspects of sudden disturbances to our environment but also about ways of disrupting the status quo and changing ways of doing things. 

We are very excited to see what all the different artists have come up with inspired by this years’ theme and would love to welcome you on board to share the moment and reflect together. So come along on the 7th of December, 5pm and bring your friends and family! Tickets are available here and will have a surge in price soon, so be quick!  

Bring your gloves and Gluhwein and get on board!

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Amsterdam Light Festival

Brighten up the darkest days
Winter in Amsterdam. It probably makes you think of early sunsets and cold nights. The perfect time to stay inside and snuggle up on the couch. We hear you. But what a shame it would be to miss out on this year’s Amsterdam Light Festival! This event is the best reason to get out the house and into the city. Take our word for it. More than 35  breathtaking installations of light will illuminate the city for over 50 days in a row. This spectacle of art and light will put the entire city under a cozy spell once again. Come and see for yourself.

Get on a boat
The best way to enjoy the illuminated scenes is from the water. No doubt about it. All the mesmerizing lights are magnified by the water’s reflection. Float through the Amsterdam canals while gazing at the illuminated artworks all around you. The Water Colors Cruise allows  you to soak up  the sights from up close.

Water Colors Cruises
* The Water Colors Cruise, takes you past, underneath and even through numerous  works of art. An unforgettable experience for young and old!
* Don’t feel like waiting in line? Make a reservation for the Water Colors – Fast Track on your preferred date and time. You’ll enjoy the same beautiful cruise, without having to queue up!
* The Water Colors – Premium combines cruising through the Amsterdam Light Festival with a delicious wintery drink and a warm snack.
* Looking for a more intimate experience? Reserve a spot on the Water Colors - Open Boat. This tour also allows you to take the best pictures!

Festival dates
You can experience the Amsterdam Light Festival from December 1st to January 22nd. So save the date, order your tickets and get off the couch! There will be frequent cruise departures every day, with the exception of New Year’s Eve.