Amsterdam Light Festival in short

When

27 November 2026 to 21 January 2027 (expected, not yet confirmed by the organiser)

Where

Canals of the old centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Free time

Gaps of two to four hours between screenings or shows, and whole days for companions.

Best base

Jordaan and De Pijp: Canal-side neighbourhoods with cafés.

Getting there

Schiphol (AMS) has trains to Amsterdam Centraal every 10 minutes, 15 minutes per trip.

Weather

In November and December and January, Amsterdam temperatures average about 6°C, with roughly 81 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 8 h 08 min of daylight.

Top things to do

Canal cruise; Zaanse Schans windmills and Volendam; Rijksmuseum guided tour

Weather during Amsterdam Light Festival

In November and December and January, Amsterdam temperatures average about 6°C, with roughly 81 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 8 h 08 min of daylight.

What to pack

• A warm coat, hat and gloves: nights can drop close to freezing.
• A light rain jacket, just in case.
• Comfortable walking shoes and a small day bag.

Monthly averages for 2001 to 2025 from NASA POWER. Check the forecast a few days before you travel.

Airport to Canals of the old centre

Schiphol (AMS) has trains to Amsterdam Centraal every 10 minutes, 15 minutes per trip.

Boat tours and walking routes after dark.

Public transport directions to Canals of the old centre

Where to stay by budget

Three hotels we would book

• Budget: ClinkNOORD
• Mid-range: Hotel V Frederiksplein
• Splurge: Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam

Links search the nights from 26 November to 22 January. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual festival stay schedule for 27 November 2026 to 21 January 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Family-friendly picks

• NEMO science museum.
• ARTIS zoo.

Evening and day-trip tours

After dark

• Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein.

7 tours worth booking for Amsterdam Light Festival

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

• Foodhallen Food hall in old tram depot
• Winkel 43 Famous apple pie
• Albert Cuyp market Stroopwafels and street food
• Café de Klos Ribs

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

• Van Gogh Museum (book ahead).
• Anne Frank House (book ahead).

Getting around on event days

• Trams and metro (GVB) accept contactless.
• Johan Cruijff ArenA is on the metro (Bijlmer ArenA).
• Tap in and out with a contactless bank card on Dutch trains, trams and buses (OVpay).
• Bikes are the local way around; rent an OV-fiets at stations.

Day trips from Amsterdam

• Haarlem: 15 minutes by train
• Zaanse Schans: 20 minutes

Organiser of Amsterdam Light Festival? Add this guide to your website.

Questions people ask

How we put this guide together: dates come from the organiser's published calendar or, when not yet announced, from the event's usual pattern; weather from NASA POWER monthly averages 2001 to 2025; venue access and city tips from our own research. Last checked 2 November 2026. How we research.

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