The thirteenth edition of Amsterdam Light Festival takes place from 28 November 2024 until 19 January 2025, and has the theme Rituals.
Amsterdam Light Festival has been a yearly tradition for the last 12 years, lighting the city in the darkest months of the year. The coming edition is special, as it coincides with Amsterdam's 750th anniversary. For a whole year, all over town, residents, districts and institutions commemorate and celebrate the unique spirit of Amsterdam. What custom is more appropriate to mark this special milestone than a ritual?
Rituals have traditionally helped us through all kinds of transformations; from past to future, from winter to summer, from youth to adulthood. Light plays a vital role in many rituals, as a vibrant symbol of joy, energy and life. We use fireworks to usher in the new year, candles to commemorate, and midsummer fires to welcome the solstice. Light adds something mystical and sacred to a ritual like no other element can. And rituals unify. Rituals bring people together.
That’s why we celebrate Amsterdam750 with light. With art. With each other. With Edition 13: Rituals. On this page you can find more information about the activities we organize in the context of the anniversary year.
This year, 27 unique light artworks will be created by artists from all around the world. The artworks can be admired from water or land. We offer many experiences with which you will get to know more about the artworks, artists and the theme. Visit our ticket shop for an overview, and get more information about departue times and locations by selecting a product.
Our festival heart in the Hoftuin will return, fittingly called Light Garden. In this extraordinary courtyard of the Diaconate, you can find two light artworks, an information point and takeaway bites and drinks. Every Friday in December there will be programming with free lectures and music performances. More information via the button below.
Edition 13: Rituals takes place from 28 November 2024 until 19 January 2025. The lights are on every day at 5.00 p.m. From Sunday to Tuesday the lights are on until 10.00 p.m., from Wednesday to Saturday until 11.00 p.m. During the Christmas break the lights are on daily until 11.00 p.m. We're closed on 31 December.
You can reach the festival easily by bike and public transport. On the route you can find multiple information points and restaurants. For more detailed information, click on one of the buttons below.