Nautical measures
During festival hours (4.30-11.00 p.m.) there are adjusted sailing rules in place, so please read them carefully!
BE PREPARED
You can find the sailing route, incl. artwork info and audio guide in our festival app (Light Walk, €6.99 available as of 24 November). The app also includes the sailing rules that are on this page.
NAUTICAL EVENT AREA
From Thursday until Sunday + every day during the Christmas break a nautical event area applies to the entire Herengracht and Brouwersgracht. This means that, upon entering this area, you confirm to the rules below, the LED screens along the route, and the instructions of nautical staff.
MAXIMUM SPEED
- 5 km/h Herengracht
- 3 km/h Brouwersgracht, Singel, Haarlemmersluis
- 3 km/h Brouwersgracht, Korte Prinsengracht, Eenhoornsluis
JUNCTION HERENGRACHT
- Boats larger than 14 meters exit port via Brouwersgracht (reporting obligatory via VHF10), Korte Prinsengracht, Eenhoornsluis, Westerdok, het IJ
- Boats smaller than 14 meters exit starboard via Brouwersgracht, Singel, Haarlemmersluis
EENHOORNSLUIS
- From Thursday until Sunday + every day during the Christmas break opened both ways, abovementioned junction applies
- From Monday until Wednesday one way traffic, junction does not apply
MUSCLE BAN
- Ban on the entire Herengracht and Brouwersgracht for muscle-powered vessels
- Only allowed on Herengracht under guidance of and registered by Kanovereniging Zeeburg, Roeivereniging Willem III, and De Hoop on Sundays between 8-8.15 pm
- Motorized vessels not allowed Herengracht on Sundays from 8-8.15 pm!
- Supping is not allowed during the nautical event area
- Rowing boats must report to the organisation one day in advance (nautischeoperations@amsterdamlightfestival.com)
ADDITIONAL RULES
ENTRY BAN
- Reguliersgracht - Herengracht not accessible from Keizersgracht
- Leliegracht - Herengracht not accessible from Keizersgracht
- Haarlemmersluis - Singel not accessible from Droogbak
- Blauwburgwal - Herengracht not accessible from Singel
HOUSE RULES
- Do not overtake unless ought necessary
- Do not lay still at the artworks
- Prevent unnecessary breaking/accelerating
- Prevent noise pollution (no music/screaming)
- Respect privacy of canal houses (no photography)
- Use the Light Walk in the app
- Make sure you have proper nautical lighting
- Follow instructions of the digital screens
- Always follow directions of the nautical employees/traffic controllers
- The festival organisation is in close contact with Nautical Control and Nautical Police
OTHER SPEED LIMITS
- 6 km/h on Central Station, Damrak, Open Havenfront, Oosterdok, Schippersgracht, Nieuwe Herengracht
- 5 km/h on Amstel, Herengracht
- 3 km/h on Brouwersgracht, Singel, Haarlemmersluis/Brouwersgracht, Korte Prinsengracht
- 7 km/h on Westerdok, het IJ
- 5 km/h on Droogbak, de kom Central Station