Event Dates
From: Thursday, November 30, 2023
To: Sunday, January 21, 2024
Enjoy a beautiful experience this Winter at the annual Amsterdam Light Festival as the city is transformed into a living art gallery
Enjoy a beautiful experience this Winter at the annual Amsterdam Light Festival as the city is transformed into a living art gallery over seven weeks.
- For a fabulous, contemporary stay right along the canals, close to the light displays at the 122-room Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht is unbeatable.
The Water Route
- Amsterdam Light Festival celebrates its twelfth anniversary this year! Awaiting route details for the 2023-2024 edition.
- The festival illuminates the dark days Winter with joy and magic along the canals of Amsterdam. Visitors pass by the most popular artworks of the past nine editions.
- Typically, about twenty light artworks are places alongside the route. The works are a selection from a rich collection of light art. Each artwork naturally tells its own story, however, there are many common themes and stories to be shared, which you may enjoy via an audio tour on board.
- Stay in the heart of the city right on the canals and just steps from the best exhibits at the Pulitzer. The Hotel is spread across more than 5 town houses and has been completely transformed into a luxurious escape right in the centre of the city.
The Canal Cruise
- Experience Amsterdam Light Festival cruising the canals of Amsterdam
- Hop on board of a covered, heated canal boat and get carried away to the world of imagination with the official audio guide.
- De audio guide tells you all about the artworks, artists and theme, but leaves enough room to chat with your company. A cruise takes about 75 minutes and there are several boat companies and departure locations.
- Alternatively, experience the light artworks from up close, in an intimate group setting on an (semi) open or historic boat. Along the way, the skipper tells you all about the artworks and the theme.
The Walking Tour
- Taking a walk? This digital map will tell you the way with live location. All artworks are depicted with an icon, which you can click to get more information about the artworks and artists. Don’t forget to charge your phone! The route is about 6.5 km and can be started at any point.
- The walking route can be started at every artwork. Handy starting points are the information stands at Prins Hendrikkade by Amsterdam Central Station, or Blauwbrug, the historic bridge over the river Amstel.
Recommended Hotels in Amsterdam
Here are the hotels we recommend that have good reviews and keep you close to all the city’s busy gay bars and top attractions:
Where to stay close to all the gay bars
Our top 4 selections with the best rates.
The Hotel Pulitzer is where we stay when
we visit Amsterdam. Close to the gay bars.
For further information and advice on
Amsterdam Light Festival, Website
The Amsterdam gay scene is constantly changing with bars opening and closing all the time. The Regulierswarstraat has seen a resurgence of late with many new bars opening. The sex and cruising bars are close to Dam square.
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Booking.com
We have chosen hotels Amsterdam that keep you close to all the shops, restaurants & bars
This 5-star hotel includes a fitness area, spa and wellness facilities and a waterside terrace. Valet parking is available at an additional charge. The guest rooms and suites blend a classic design, including a Carrara marble bathroom, with contemporary amenities such as Apple TV, A Bose surround sound system and motion detecting floor lighting
Built in the 17th century and therefore the oldest hotel in Amsterdam. All 81 rooms are stylishly furnished with modern amenities, including air conditioning. Guests can enjoy a drink from the minibar or make a cup of coffee or tea. Each room is also provided with a work desk and cable TV.
This environmentally friendly hotel with Green Key Gold certification offers 75 rooms, all equipped with a Nespresso® machine. bathrooms has luxurious soap amenities, a rain shower, an automatic lightening system and a bathrobe. The hotel makes use of an air conditioning system without CO2 emissions. Free Wi-Fi is available.
Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Centre offers rooms with free Wi-Fi and satellite TV, just a 5-minute walk from Amsterdam Central Station. It features a modern atrium breakfast room and a stylish bar. The air-conditioned rooms are modern and warmly decorated. They have a luxurious private bathroom, climate control and coffee and tea facilities.
Highlights of the past Light Festivals in Amsterdam.
Gay life in Amsterdam is woven into the fabric of the city, and there are several areas which are home to LGBTQ+-friendly businesses, each with a distinct vibe. The town welcomes gay travellers with open arms, offering a vibrant and inclusive cityscape filled with diverse nightlife, cultural treasures, and a rich history of acceptance and celebration.
Stay in the centre, close to Dam Square, Anne Frank House, & gay-popular Warmoesstraat part of the Red Light District.
Amstel area (Rembrandtplein) a famous square with bars, cafes, & restaurants, a 10-minute walk from the centre.