Spread across two months, Amsterdam Light Festival creates a sense of magic and wonder – it is no surprise that it now attracts 1 million visitors. A mixture of projections and sculptures illuminate iconic buildings, UNESCO listed waterways and charming streets.
Edition 13 Rituals © Stichting Amsterdam Light Festival
A Winters night in Amsterdam is not complete without a trip to see the fantastic Amsterdam Light Festival. As the dark nights creep in, the streets of Amsterdam become alive with a buzz – an immeasurable feeling that only a spectacle such as a Light Festival can evoke. This year, the theme is Rituals and attendees will be able to see 27 works created by artists from around the world. Since 2009 during the months of December and January the city is illuminated with carefully positioned and thought provoking art installations. The festival succeeds in transforming the city – from Centrum to the east, the hard work and creativity from all involved in Amsterdam Light Festival has to be admired.
Light festivals began popping up during the 1920’s in Europe. Lyon is credited as being the first city to hold a festival of lights – using candles in coloured glass bottles in 1852. Since then cities have jostled for position to retain the title of the best light festival in the world. Light festivals are cross cultural experiences and they are by very nature universally loved and admired.
Each year, the festival morphs and brings with it a new experience, it’s difficult to choose favourite installations. The list of artists and agencies who have displayed works of art for Amsterdam Light Festival now runs into the hundreds. The works of art built into the city landscape regularly go viral. The festival’s themes captivate audiences with technology, imagination, activism and hope. The combination of individual artists, studios and organisations allowed the festival to experiment, push boundaries and bring you and I along with it too.
Edition 1
The very first Amsterdam Light Festival (Edition 1) presented 20 installations, artists such as ‘Mr Beam’ projected onto the Het Scheepvaartmuseum, Hogeschool Van Amsterdam brought works too with ‘Green revolution’ and ‘return of the bikes’ and many more. It was a statement by the organisers of how the festival can make use of historic buildings and the canals.
Tamar Frank’s ‘Light Circle’ was a personal favourite from Edition 2, bringing horizontal strips of lighting and placing them under a bridge in De Wallen.
A enigmatic Edition 3 saw up to thirty seven pieces of art across the waterways and streets, Angus Muir involved the many passing canal boats, making balls floating on the water change colour each time a boat passed.
Stunning artworks In Edition 4 with two of the artists Massimo Uberti and Marco Pollice sharing a message of love on Damrak with a giant “I love you.”
Edition 5 provided delightful artworks by the likes of Gilbert Moity, Paul Cremers, Tatiana Titova and a stand out piece by Choi + Shine Architects.
Edition 6 the public were treated to 36 installations of art on the canals of Amsterdam with Lidy Six, Victor Engbers and a personal favourite was ‘Whole Hole’ by by Vendel & De Wolf making use of the canal bridges and water.
The seventh edition was beautiful, bringing the likes of Jeroen Hennemans ‘two lamps’ ‘light a wish’ by Oge Group and the iconic ‘Absorbed by light’ by Gali May Lucas.
‘Disrupt’ was the theme of edition 8 and wonderful 20 works of art were on display, UxU studio presented big bang and Krijn De Koning brought ‘Nacht Tekening’ lighting up The Skinny Bridge with an impressive display of bulbs on one of Amsterdam’s most iconic bridges.
‘When Nature calls’ was a fantastic theme for edition 9, with just 7 installations and featuring artists such as Katie Urban, Tom Biddulph and Barbara Ryan.
Edition 10 saw the return of favourites, including the brilliant Starry Night by artists Ivana Jelic and Pavle Petrovic, Bunch of tulips by Koros Design and Masammichi Shimada Butterfly effect thrilled the hundreds of thousands of visitors who flocked to the city.
Mysterious and magical, Edition 11 asked attendees to ‘Imagine Beyond’ UxU studio returned with a piece called ‘Inversion Waterfall’ on the side of the NEMO Science museum and ‘Light Gate’ by Edwin Baruch.
Edition 12 displayed 24 pieces of visual beauty, Jacqueline Han brought ‘Light High’ and made it immersive whilst Frank Foole impressed with ‘Waiting.’
As the city of Amsterdam celebrates 750 years, the light festival will hold Rituals. Prepare to blown away by spectacular pieces of art this Winter as the light festival in Amsterdam dazzles the crowds once again.
Here are some of the answers to the questions you may have and helpful tips to help you understand the festival better.
This year, the route is 7.5KM, approx.
You can board with different operators spread across the city such as Prinsengracht, Prins Hendrikkade, Badhuiskade, Damrak, Stadhouderskade.
Typically during December and January. The start date this year will be 28th November running until 19th January.
The Dutch capital now estimates up to 1 million attendees visit the festival including many new and returning visitors to the city.
A canal cruise can start at Centraal staton work it’s way through the Oosterdok, with J.J van Der Veldebrug, NEMO museum, along the canal belt on Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht.
Sunday through until Tuesday, it is 5pm – 10pm. From Wednesday – Saturday it is 5pm – 11pm.
Make sure to wear a couple of layers and have a good waterproof jacket. As you can expect, the weather is unpredictable but not extreme. Expect rain, wind and it to be chilly. Remember, Amsterdam is beautiful in the winter months.
Amsterdam Light Festival is a foundation and it holds ANBI status.
Each edition covers a new topical theme, for example, the 12th edition displayed artworks surrounding the advancement of AI and tech. The 13th edition is called Rituals.
Each year is different – Amsterdam Light festival selects quality over quantity.
