The world-famous Amsterdam Light Festival will return this year with an anti-COVID twist.
This winter, from 10 December 2020 to 3 January 2021, Amsterdam’s Light Festival will return! Every year for 9 years beautiful light displays have been installed around the city centre. In pre-pandemic times it was possible to explore these lights from a boat. People could sail up and down the canals, marveling at the stunning scenery and amazing artwork on display. This year, however, things are a bit different. [Featured image: @amsterdamlightfestival, Instagram]
Obviously, it’s not ideal for everyone to board a boat this year so the organisers have hatched a plan to provide a brilliant experience. Visitors will be able to walk the route on foot, listening to voice messages, and looking at photos and videos sent to them on Whatsapp by the creative director of the project. The route will pass through the city centre and hidden gardens, with a ‘When Nature Calls’ theme. Walkers will hear and see information on the city and on the light display, with volunteers to help those who are vulnerable get around safely.
The Light Festival is an important part of the arts scene in Amsterdam so it is brilliant to see that this festival will still be allowed to thrive under today’s circumstances. Walkers can head out to enjoy the route from 5 pm until 11 pm, but the event will be closed to the public from 8 pm on New Year’s Eve until 5 pm on New Year’s Day. Tickets will be available soon on the website and guests will have to book time slots on specific days.