Events & Festivals

The streets and canals of Amsterdam will once more become illuminated with the seventh Amsterdam Light Festival this winter. From 29 November to 20 January the Dutch capital will host 29 artworks of light especially created for the exhibition, as well as 10 stories of the city in a festival lasting 53 days.

The theme for this year’s exhibition is “The Medium is the Message”, after the work by Marshall McLuhan, a scientist from Canada. The intention is to demonstrate how light can convey a message, with Amsterdam acting as the medium for the storytelling.

The guest of honour for this edition of the festival is Jeroen Henneman, an artist from the city, who has developed two works especially for the exhibition that will be for sale.

In addition, 850 pupils, under the tutelage of two artists from Japan – Monno and Nagata – have created a work for the festival.

For 53 days, the exhibition can be admired by boat, bike or on foot. You can do this on your own initiative or by booking a tour with one of the official festival partners.

Artworks at the Amsterdam Light Festival 2018

A full list of the artworks on display can be found here.

Amsterdam Light Festival 2018 Dates

The festival starts on 29 November and runs through to 20 January. Each day they will be turned on at 5pm and switched off at 11pm, except 31 January when the lights will be turned off at 8pm.

Getting Around the Amsterdam Light Festival 2018

You can travel around the festival either by bike, in the traditional Dutch way, or on foot or by boat along the canals.

Amsterdam Light Festival Cruises

One of the best ways to see the pieces is on a canal cruise. The festival has a list of recommended tours and guides, separated into boating, walking and biking. Click here for the list.

Amsterdam Light Festival 2018 Map

There is also a handy map to guide you around the festival.

Amsterdam Hotels

If you are looking for accommodation in Amsterdam during the festival, then why no try booking it through our Hotel Booking Portal. It will not cost you any extra money, but the small commission we will take helps with the running of this website.

Flights to Amsterdam

Getting to Amsterdam by plane is simple. EasyJet have flights from both London Stansted and London Luton airports. Alternatively, you can take the train, with Eurostar running a direct service from London St Pancras to Amsterdam that takes 3 hours and 41 minutes, although most trains do go via Brussels.

Things To Do in Amsterdam

For an idea of things to do in Amsterdam, why not read Mark Bibby Jackson’s article on the city. Alternatively you can visit the I Amsterdam website. Cover photo: Night-Vision by Tom Biddulph and Barbara Ryan.