Amsterdam, Netherlands – November 30, 2025 – As twilight settled over the historic canals of Amsterdam on Saturday evening, the city came alive with the glow of innovative light art, marking the official opening of the 14th Amsterdam Light Festival. Organized by the Amsterdam Light Festival Foundation, this year’s edition features 20 captivating installations created by artists, designers, and architects from around the world, turning the UNESCO World Heritage-listed canal belt into a breathtaking open-air gallery.
The festival, which officially illuminated the city on November 29 with public access starting the following day, revolves around the theme “Legacy.” It invites visitors to reflect on heritage, memory, and what we leave behind for future generations. Running until January 18, 2026, the 53-day event is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors, reinforcing its reputation as one of Europe’s most important and beloved light art festivals.
From the opening weekend, locals and tourists wrapped up warmly against the November chill to explore the glowing artworks either on foot or by boat. Canal cruises glided silently beneath illuminated bridges while walkers followed a 5.5-kilometer route, experiencing reflections doubled on the water’s surface. The installations light up daily from 4:30 p.m. until 10 or 11 p.m., depending on the day, creating a magical interplay between contemporary creativity and Amsterdam’s iconic 17th-century architecture.
This year’s theme, “Legacy,” resonates deeply as Amsterdam celebrates its 750th anniversary throughout 2025. New executive director Dago Houben, who took the helm in July 2025, has emphasized how the festival bridges past and future, encouraging artists to explore tradition, identity, and enduring impact. Many works subtly reference the city’s Golden Age, Dutch resilience, or pressing modern concerns such as climate change and cultural preservation.
Among the highlights is “Rhapsōidia” by M Moser Associates, an interactive light-and-sound installation near their studio on the Herengracht. Visitors trigger the artwork with movement, weaving personal “memories” into an evolving collective digital tapestry. Another striking piece, “W(HAL)E’LL FALL” by Chinese artist Xinyi Wang, presents floating whale-like sculptures glowing with bioluminescent effects and subtle projections of melting ice caps, delivering a powerful environmental message wrapped in haunting beauty.
Artists from the Netherlands, Australia, Japan, and beyond were selected through an international open call, with special attention paid to how each work interacts with water, reflections, and the intimate scale of canal-side viewing.
What began as a small pilot project in 2009 has grown into a globally recognized annual tradition. Since becoming a full festival in 2012, it has commissioned more than 200 artworks and attracted millions of visitors. Entirely self-funded through ticket sales and sponsorships, the nonprofit event maintains creative independence while remaining accessible to the public.
Boat tours remain the most popular way to experience the festival, with heated vessels offering narrated 75- to 90-minute cruises departing from docks near Central Station. Open boats provide a more atmospheric (if colder) alternative. For those exploring on foot, free downloadable maps guide visitors clockwise from the NEMO Science Museum along the Amstel, past the Hermitage, and through the heart of the Grachtengordel. Cyclists can also join the route, though cobblestones and steep bridge inclines require caution.
Beyond the canal route, the “Light Garden” hub in the Hoftuin courtyard hosts two additional installations, information points, and special Friday evening programming in December, including lectures and live music. Food stalls serving hot stroopwafels and glühwein add to the festive winter atmosphere, while family-friendly cruises and eco-conscious design elements—such as low-energy LEDs—cater to diverse audiences.
As part of the broader Amsterdam750 celebrations, the Light Festival weaves art seamlessly into the city’s year-long story of reinvention. Installations like laser bridges connecting historic gables or mirrored spheres that multiply the viewer’s reflection turn passive sightseeing into active contemplation.
With many boat tours already selling out quickly, early booking is recommended. Yet the festival’s deepest impact lies not in ticket numbers but in its quiet invitation: to pause in the winter darkness, connect through creativity, and carry a little light forward.
When the final installation dims on January 18, the canals will return to their familiar quiet glow—but for those who walked or sailed beneath the artworks, the reflections of this year’s “Legacy” will linger long after.
