# Amsterdam Light Festival: what to do between sessions in Amsterdam

Source: https://eventweekends.com/culture/amsterdam-light-festival/
Last checked: 2026-11-02

## 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 and what to pack

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.
- 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.

## Airport to venue

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

Boat tours and walking routes after dark.

## Where to stay

- **budget:** Amsterdam Noord and Oost. Cheaper hotels a short ferry or metro ride from the centre.
- **mid:** Jordaan and De Pijp. Canal-side neighbourhoods with cafés.
- **luxury:** Canal Ring. Canal house hotels.
- Hotels we would book: ClinkNOORD (budget), Hotel V Frederiksplein (mid), Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam (luxury)

## Day plans for the free hours

### Between screenings or shows

A two- to four-hour gap: something close by.
- Half-day: Bike tour. Vondelpark and the canals.
- Eat: Winkel 43, Famous apple pie

### A free day

For companions without a pass, or attendees taking a day off.
- Full day: Keukenhof gardens (spring). Tulip fields March to May.

### Evenings

After the last show of the day.
- Evening: Evening canal cruise with drinks. Lit bridges at night.
- Eat: Albert Cuyp market, Stroopwafels and street food

### Rainy day

Indoor backups.
- Rain or heat backup: Rijksmuseum guided tour. Rembrandt and Vermeer.
- Free: Free ferry to NDSM wharf.

## Tours worth booking

- [Canal cruise](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Amsterdam%20canal%20cruise&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-amsterdam-light-festival): One hour on the canals.
- [Zaanse Schans windmills and Volendam](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Zaanse%20Schans%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-amsterdam-light-festival): Windmills, clogs and cheese.
- [Rijksmuseum guided tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Rijksmuseum%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-amsterdam-light-festival): Rembrandt and Vermeer.
- [Bike tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Amsterdam%20bike%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-amsterdam-light-festival): Vondelpark and the canals.
- [Evening canal cruise with drinks](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Amsterdam%20evening%20canal%20cruise&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-amsterdam-light-festival): Lit bridges at night.
- [Keukenhof gardens (spring)](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Keukenhof%20tickets&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-amsterdam-light-festival): Tulip fields March to May.
- [Food tour of the Jordaan](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Amsterdam%20food%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-amsterdam-light-festival): Cheese, herring and apple pie.

## 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

## With kids

- NEMO science museum.
- ARTIS zoo.

## Rainy-day backups

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

## Getting around

- 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.

## Questions people ask

### When is Amsterdam Light Festival 2026?

The next edition is 27 November 2026 to 21 January 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

### What is the weather like 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.

### How do I get from the 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.

### Where should I stay for Amsterdam Light Festival?

For most visitors the best base is Jordaan and De Pijp: Canal-side neighbourhoods with cafés.

### What can we do between sessions at Amsterdam Light Festival?

Good short outings in Amsterdam include Canal cruise, Rijksmuseum guided tour, Bike tour. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

### What is there for kids and families near Amsterdam Light Festival?

Family-friendly picks: Canal cruise, Zaanse Schans windmills and Volendam, Bike tour. NEMO science museum.

### How far is Canals of the old centre from Amsterdam centre?

About 1 km in a straight line. Boat tours and walking routes after dark.

More in Amsterdam: https://eventweekends.com/city/amsterdam/