What do the paid app walks add?

The free app has basic festival info. The paid walks (Light Walk, Kids Walk, Foodwalk) unlock the route map, artwork locations and the audio guide. The organizer warns that free maps online have the wrong locations. In the app you pay with Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Where should we start?

Anywhere: the artworks are in no set order. For a first visit the organizer suggests Amstel 1 or Waterlooplein. Amsterdam Central Station is also close to the route.

Does the route work with a stroller?

It runs through the old center, with uneven pavement and steep bridges, so expect some lifting. Not every cruise boat is wheelchair accessible, so check with the boat company before you book. There are no festival toilets on the route; the city's public toilet map helps.

Do kids pay on a cruise?

Most cruises are half price for kids up to 12 and free for ages 0 to 3. A cruise takes about 75 minutes. Tickets can't be canceled, but you can change the date up to 24 hours before.

Christmas with Kids 2026, 2 of 9

UpcomingFestival

Amsterdam Light Festival

Name: Amsterdam Light Festival
Start: 2026-11-26
End: 2027-01-17T23:59:59
Location: Amstel 1 (festival info point)

When: Daily Nov 26 - Jan 17, 2027
Ages: All ages
Price: Free to see, extras paid

Amsterdam Light Festival

Featured inIce Skating, New Year's Eve and Winter Outings with Kids 2026-27

FestivalAmsterdam-Centrum

Where

Amsterdam-Centrum, Amstel 1 (festival info point)

Ages

All ages

Setting

Outdoors

Plan for

About 1.5 hours for the full walk

What you need to know

Kids Walk in the festival app, with quiz questions and a scavenger hunt the organizer pitches at ages 7 to 12
Do it in sections: the full route is 4.5 km (about 1.5 hours), and you can start anywhere
Prize pickup closes at 9pm, at an information point open Thursday to Sunday and daily over the Christmas break

About

Every winter, about 20 light artworks go up in, over and beside the canals of Amsterdam's old center. Families see them two ways: on foot along the route, or from a canal boat. The festival app has a Kids Walk with fun facts, quiz questions and a scavenger hunt that ends in a small prize. It suits kids happy to be out in the cold after dark.

Free to see, cruises and app routes paid

Dates & times

Thu 26 Nov – Sun 17 Jan 2027

Mon-Sun4:30 PM – 11:00 PM

Lights off at 9pm on December 31.

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Where it is

Amstel 1 (festival info point)

Amstel 1, 1011 PN Amsterdam, Netherlands

Resources

Common questions

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