Amsterdam Light Festival 2025: everything you need to know

Every edition brings a fresh theme, and this year the theme is legacy. Think family traditions, treasured memories, and customs passed down through generations, but also big historical and environmental events as inspirations for the artworks.

Twenty artists from across the globe have taken this idea and spun it into light. Each artwork is a personal interpretation of what it means to leave something behind.

The festival features 20 light artworks scattered across the city, and there are three brilliant ways to explore:

The simplest way to soak it all in? A good old-fashioned walk. Stroll at your own pace or download the official app for an audio tour that guides you through the 6.5 km route, sharing stories behind the art and even unlocking tasty discounts along the way.

Bringing little explorers? There’s a kids’ walk complete with a treasure hunt and a prize at the end. Fancy a foodie twist? This year introduces food walks, so you can snack and sip as you wander. There are multiple food walks to enjoy: a streetfood walk, a walk that includes typical Amsterdam snacks, a cocktail walk, an oyster walk, and two different types of dinner walks.

Join a guided bike tour led by a local for a typical Dutch experience. Go private for the full route, or hop into a cosy group of up to 12 people. It’s Amsterdam, after all, so cycling is practically a legacy in itself.

Glide along the canals on a canal cruise or feel the crisp air on an open boat. Drinks or no drinks? Your call. Either way, expect 75–90 minutes of shimmering reflections and unforgettable views. Book your tickets in advance via the Amsterdam Light Festival website.

Of course there are plenty of beautiful artworks to see, but along the route you will find more interesting spots: historical or just fun. Hotel Casa has created a list for you with places to look out for along the official Amsterdam Light Festival route. Follow this map, to learn fun facts about these places.