It’s been 11 whole years since the very first Amsterdam Light Festival, but it’s become such an institution here that we can’t quite believe it’s only been that long! Last year it opened but with reduced hours and social distancing measures in place. The year before that it went digital and although we were glad to still have the festival, it was a shame that we couldn’t enjoy it in quite the same way, despite a colossal effort on the part of organisers.
This year marks a return to normality for the festival, with a new theme: Imagine Beyond. As we move into a new year, with it comes the possibility of new beginnings, and with the world changing so rapidly we have to imagine beyond our current circumstances.
Twenty incredible light works will comprise Amsterdam Light Festival this year between December 1-January 22, created by talented artists. You can enjoy the festival between 5 pm – 11 pm every day apart from New Year Eve, when they will be switched off at 8pm.
You’ll be able to see the displays by foot or by boat, with walking tickets and a roadmap via your phone costing €7.50 per person. Boats are obviously more expensive, with a place on an open boat or a travel boat costing €26.50 per person but the light works are all by or on the canals in Amsterdam Centre East so boats do offer a fantastic view.
You can book tickets on the Amsterdam Light Festival website. After all, it only happens once a year and this year is set to be a return to the festival we knew before the pandemic – brighter and more exciting than ever!