Experience the enchanting Christmas magic of Amsterdam during the Amsterdam Light Festival, running from 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027. Enjoy an unforgettable Christmas Eve as you cruise through the beautifully illuminated canals. Book your magical Christmas cruise now and choose the perfect festive experience for your group. Call us today and secure a fairytale spot for your Christmas celebrations at this winter light spectacle.
Sail along with our official fleet?
A festive two-hour Christmas cruise where your party will admire the magical light art of the Amsterdam Light Festival while enjoying winter delicacies.
Celebrate Christmas in style! Your party will enjoy an exquisite Christmas menu while cruising through the fairy-lit canals. The perfect combination of festive conviviality and enchanting light art.
With a choice of several festively decorated ships for 14 to 70 people, create the ultimate Christmas or year-end celebration during the magnificent Amsterdam Light Festival.
Be enchanted by the fairytale-like Amsterdam Light Festival, a magical Christmas event that bathes Amsterdam’s historic city centre in a festive glow from 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027. During this winter period, the canals are transformed into a dazzling Christmas setting featuring breathtaking light artworks, specially created by international artists. The festival spreads Christmas cheer during the dark winter months and invites you to experience the festive city in a whole new way.
This year, the Amsterdam Light Festival is celebrating 15 years of light art in Amsterdam. These artworks tell evocative stories, inspire festive reflections or simply enchant visitors with their Christmassy beauty. Every year, the event welcomes thousands of visitors who come to enjoy this magical winter Christmas experience.
What makes an Amsterdam Light Festival Christmas cruise so special during the holidays? The answer glistens like freshly polished Christmas cutlery: the light artworks are specifically designed to be admired from the water. As you glide warmly and cozily through the illuminated canals, you’ll enjoy a unique perspective that strolling visitors miss from the quay.
A Christmas cruise during the Amsterdam Light Festival not only offers the perfect view of each light installation, but also protects you from the winter cold. Instead of walking through the cold streets, bask in the warmth of our attractively decorated salon boats, complete with festive snacks and drinks. This privileged position on the water literally places you at the heart of the Christmas celebration – the works of art reflect in the water around you, creating an enchanting 360-degree Christmas experience unmatched from the shore.
Compare this to a winter walk along the quay: limited sightlines, crowds, cold and fatigue. The choice is clear – a Christmas cruise during the Amsterdam Light Festival is the most atmospheric way to experience this winter light spectacle and make your Christmas celebration unforgettable.
Amsterdam Light Festival Christmas cruise
Experience the Christmas magic of the Amsterdam Light Festival during our atmospheric 2-hour Christmas drinks cruise. Your party will be welcomed on board at 16:30, after which the boat will depart at 16:40 for a beautiful route along the illuminated works of art. Along the way, festive snacks and warm winter drinks will be served while your group enjoys the fairy lights that immerse the canals in Christmas atmosphere.
Festive program includes:
| Emma | Belle van Zuylen | Adeline | Lady of Amstel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Max. guests | 14 | 30 | 60 | 70 |
Starting price | €82 per person* | € 64 per person* | € 51 per person* | € 49 per person* |
Drinks | Based on post-calculation or free bar (from € 25,- p.p. extra) | |||
Data | 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027 | |||
Duration | 2 hours – 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. | |||
Program | 16:30 – Reception 16:40 – Cast off and enjoy snacks & drinks 18:30 – Arrival at destination | |||
* Note: The starting price is for full occupancy of the salon boat. Are you coming with fewer guests? This is of course possible on request; in that case a higher price per person applies, by mutual agreement.
Amsterdam Light Festival Christmas cruise
The Amsterdam Light Festival Christmas dinner cruise is an atmospheric Christmas celebration on the water through the fairy-tale lit canals of Amsterdam. Upon arrival at 19:30 your party will be festively welcomed by the crew, after which the boat departs at 19:40 for an unforgettable evening along the enchanting works of art of the Amsterdam Light Festival.
During this cozy Christmas cruise, your party will enjoy a festive dinner with a choice of Italian, French Mediterranean or Indian Christmas buffet.
Festive program includes:
The dinner cruise buffet can be optionally upgraded to an exclusive Belle buffet, a 6-course Bits & Bites menu, a 3-course à la carte dinner, or live cooking with a chef on board.
On the basis of post-calculation or free bar (from € 30,- per person extra)
26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027
3 hours - 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
19:30 - Reception
19:40 - Cast off and enjoy dinner & drinks
22:30 - Arrival at destination
On the basis of post-calculation or free bar (from € 30,- per person extra)
26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027
3 hours - 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
19:30 - Reception
19:40 - Cast off and enjoy dinner & drinks
22:30 - Arrival at destination
On the basis of post-calculation or free bar (from € 30,- per person extra)
26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027
3 hours - 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
19:30 - Reception
19:40 - Cast off and enjoy dinner & drinks
22:30 - Arrival at destination
On the basis of post-calculation or free bar (from € 30,- per person extra)
26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027
3 hours - 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
19:30 - Reception
19:40 - Cast off and enjoy dinner & drinks
22:30 - Arrival at destination
* Note: The starting price is for full occupancy of the salon boat. Are you coming with fewer guests? This is of course possible on request; in that case a higher price per person applies, by mutual agreement.
Do you have a smaller group of less than 14 people or just a larger group that exceeds the capacity of our standard boats? At Rederij Belle, we are happy to think with you. For smaller groups, we can customize an intimate experience, while for larger parties over 70, we can use several boats at once or advise you on our other suitable salon boats.
Contact us directly for a personalized proposal that perfectly suits your needs and group size. Don’t wait too long – the Amsterdam Light Festival packages are very popular and availability is limited!
Our sailing heritage and official fleet
Salon Boat
Event packages
Starting price p.p.*
Salon Boat
Event packages
Starting price p.p.*
Salon Boat
Event packages
Starting price p.p.*
Salon Boat
Event packages
Starting price p.p.*
* Note: The starting price is for full occupancy of the salon boat. Are you coming with fewer guests? This is of course possible on request; in that case a higher price per person applies, by mutual agreement.
The drinks cruise lasts about 2 hours and the dinner cruise packages last 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on the package you choose.
Although tickets are often available on the day, we strongly recommend booking online in advance to avoid disappointment, especially on weekends and holidays.
Absolutely! The Amsterdam Light Festival is a great experience for the whole family. We offer special family rates and children under the age of 4 sail for free.
Our tours continue in all weather conditions. Most of our boats are covered and heated. In case of extreme weather conditions, we will contact registered guests.
Drinks are included with our standard Amsterdam Light Festival cruises. The drinks cruise and dinner cruise include extensive catering with various options as listed in our price table. You are not allowed to bring your own food and drinks on our salon boats.
The times of the boat trip depend on the package you choose. For the Christmas period, we offer drinks packages and dinner packages that allow you to admire the Amsterdam Light Festival 2026–2027 in a festive atmosphere.
Please note: demand for our cruises is particularly high over the Christmas period – we therefore advise you to book well in advance to avoid disappointment and to secure your places for this special experience.
Would you like to receive our package overview or request a quote for an Amsterdam Light Festival package?
Bel ons op nummer 0294–261433 (tijdens kantooruren) of stuur een bericht via ons contactformulier. Wij nemen dan zo spoedig mogelijk contact met u op om de mogelijkheden met u te bespreken.
Experience shows that Amsterdam Light Festival packages on the water during the Christmas period sell out quickly, as viewing the light artworks from the water offers the most magical Christmas experience. By exploring now which Christmas packages best suit your plans, you can ensure an unforgettable Christmas celebration during the Amsterdam Light Festival 2026–2027!
