Amsterdam Light Festival Edition 15 runs from 26 November 2026 through 17 January 2027. We suggest choosing between a flexible walk and a booked cruise before planning the rest of your evening. The new edition has a new route, so an old map or boarding point should not determine your plans.
What is confirmed for the coming edition?
The organiser’s Edition 15 page confirms the dates, the fifteenth anniversary and a new route. It says official cruise and walk tickets go on sale on 1 October 2026. Free events and additional activities along the route are being developed; check the published programme rather than assuming a particular performance will take place.
The same page explains that the light art in public space is freely accessible. Paid experiences provide additional interpretation or a trip along the route and help support the independent festival foundation. Seeing public art and buying a guided experience are therefore different choices.
Walking options: more than one kind of ticket
The official walking page describes three app-based options:
- Light Walk: artwork stories and an audio guide, location-based navigation and offers at participating restaurants.
- Kids Walk: facts, questions and a scavenger hunt, with the option of the whole or half route. The organiser recommends ages seven to twelve; younger children can take part with guidance.
- Foodwalk: a walk combined with takeaway bites and drinks collected from participating venues.
The app and these walking experiences are due to be available from November 2026. Guided walking tours are also planned, with tickets from October. Check the current product before purchasing: the food stops, inclusions and start arrangements may differ between experiences.
We would not use prices shown in older festival-app announcements as the confirmed tariff for Edition 15. Review the new edition’s checkout and what it unlocks. Downloading an app is not necessarily the same as buying its paid route content.
Choosing a festival boat
The festival’s cruise overview distinguishes several categories. Its canal-boat category is covered and heated, with large windows, a glass roof and a toilet. Open boats offer a more exposed view, with blankets listed for warmth. A drinks-inclusive cruise can use different boat types, while private groups arrange their requirements with a partner company.
We suggest comparing the actual vessel and ticket rather than choosing only by the lowest headline price. Ask about boarding access, the commentary language, drinks, toilets, cancellation conditions and the total time on board. If step-free boarding is important, confirm it with the operator for your specific departure.
For your own boat, the organiser says special sailing rules apply during festival hours. Consult its current nautical instructions and route information before setting out; an ordinary canal itinerary is not sufficient.
Plan the route from our hostel
We are at Warmoesstraat 87. Once you have the current walking map or a cruise confirmation, use its exact starting point in your journey planner. Allow time to reach the quay or meeting point as well as the advertised experience duration.
Check the artwork lighting hours for your date before deciding when to leave. We have not confirmed a daily switch-on schedule or final walking distance for Edition 15 in this guide. A previous edition’s closing time, route length or artwork count should not be treated as current.
For walking, bring comfortable shoes, a warm layer and rain protection suited to the forecast. Charge your phone for navigation and audio, keep pavements clear when stopping for photographs and leave yourself the option of a shorter evening. A Foodwalk needs its own check of collection times and dietary options before booking.
Your accommodation and return
We have 24-hour reception, and bed linen and towels are provided. Our booking terms set out check-in from 14:00 and checkout at 10:00. We do not offer luggage storage after checkout, so arrange an alternative if your festival visit is on departure day.
Use accommodation code HOSTELAMSTERDAM when booking directly with us and review the available rate and final total. Festival tickets are separate; the accommodation code does not establish a discount on walks or cruises.
Earlier PDF and video
We retain the existing illustration, PDF and video. They show an earlier edition and should not be used for the current route, artworks, opening hours or ticket prices. The official Edition 15 information linked above takes precedence.
