| Offer | Duration | Price (Oct. 2026) | Included | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric boat, drinks and snacks | 75 min | from €24.99 (4.4; 4,020 reviews) | cruise, drinks and snacks depending on the option | most visitors | See |
| Luxury cruise, live commentary | — | from €22.31 (4.1; 523 reviews) | heated boat, live commentary | those who want explanations | See |
| Small group, 25 people maximum | — | from €59.95 (4.6; 16 reviews) | intimate boat, small group | couples, quiet | See |
| Hot drinks on board | — | from €23.80 (4.0; 86 reviews) | cruise and hot drinks | cold evenings | See |
| Heated boat, hot chocolate | — | from €22.75 (3.5; 1,395 reviews) | heated boat, hot chocolate | families | See |
| Heated boat, hot drinks and bites | — | from €24.99 (4.6; 524 reviews) | heated boat, hot drinks, bites | maximum comfort | See |
Electric boat, drinks and snacks
The 75-minute cruise has the most reviews of the lot (about 4,000, rated 4.4). Drinks are often an option: look at what the chosen option includes before paying.
Luxury cruise with live commentary
The luxury cruise takes place on a heated boat with live commentary (about 520 reviews, 4.1). It suits you if you want to understand the artworks rather than just look at them.
Small group
The small-group cruise takes 25 people at most: quieter, easier for photos.
Hot drinks, hot chocolate
Three options play on comfort: hot drinks, heated boat with hot chocolate and hot drinks with bites.
Dates, times and pitfalls
- Dates: from 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027 (official site). The lights are on in the evening, around 4:30 pm to 11 pm according to our festival page, with an earlier closing on 31 December: to be confirmed on the official site.
- Price: the range we saw goes from €22.31 to €59.95; drinks are often extra.
- Reviews: some travellers from the previous edition report a wait at boarding and a real duration shorter than advertised. Arrive 15 minutes before departure.
- Artworks: the exact number varies by source, so we do not give one.
- On foot: the street route is free, see the Amsterdam Light Festival page.
Which offer to choose?
- First time, simple: the 75-minute electric boat.
- Couple: the small group or the heated boat with hot drinks.
- Family: the heated boat with hot chocolate.
- With friends: the electric boat with drinks and snacks.
- Tight budget: the walking route, free.
Booking at the right time
Book early for weekends and December evenings. To compare standard cruises, read Amsterdam canal cruise: which to book?, our canal cruise guide and the canals page. For the rest of the season: Christmas in Amsterdam, Amsterdam in winter and what to do in December.
La rédaction Amsterdam Authority · updated 21 October 2026
