Direction
Counterclockwise this edition
Edition 15 turns the route around: both the cruise and the walk run counterclockwise, which changes the order in which the light artworks appear.
Edition 15 · Route
Amsterdam Light Festival 2026/27 route
Edition 15 runs from 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027. The route is redrawn every edition; this time it runs counterclockwise through the central and eastern districts, with twenty light artworks along the way. Below is what that means in practice for the cruise and the walk. Exact artwork locations are kept as a surprise by the festival organisation.
Edition 15 in numbers
Light artworks
20
Cruise route
5 km · 60–75 min
Walking route
4,5 km
Direction
Counterclockwise
The route, explained
Area
Centre and east
Twenty light artworks are shown across the central and eastern districts of Amsterdam, along the water and the quays of the historic city.
Cruise
Five kilometres of water
The cruise route covers roughly five kilometres and takes about 60 to 75 minutes, depending on traffic on the water. The artworks are composed to be read from a boat.
Walk
Four and a half kilometres on foot
The walking route runs about 4.5 kilometres and is free to follow. Allow two hours or more if you want to stand still in front of each light artwork.
New this edition
A stage called Amsterdam
Alongside the artworks there is free side programming, with an extra focus on the city itself. Visitors are invited to rediscover Amsterdam by boat, on foot and with an open mind.
Practical
Where the route starts
Cruise departures are in central Amsterdam, within walking distance of Amsterdam Centraal. Your exact departure point is confirmed on your Kinboat booking.
Sail the route
Open Boat, Boat incl. Drinks and private cruises along the full Edition 15 route are operated and booked by Kinboat, Official Partner of Amsterdam Light Festival.
Check availability