Sightseeing Cruises

Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise with Cheese and Wine

Discover the glittering night beauty of Amsterdam during the Light Festival on a 75-min cruise, paired with a delightful local cheese and wine tasting experience.

Experience a feast for the senses on a 75-minute Amsterdam canal cruise, pairing dazzling festival lights with a curated tasting of local cheeses and wines.

Savour three locally sourced cheeses, including truffle cheese, accompanied by unlimited organic wines such as Spanish Prosecco.

Admire Amsterdam's historic canals and architecture brought to life by spectacular light installations created by artists from around the world.

Cruise in comfort aboard a heated boat with an open rear deck for the best views, while your skipper or onboard audio guide shares stories about the city and the festival.

Did you know? The Amsterdam Light Festival grew out of the 'Christmas Canal Parade', which was first held in 2009.

75-min Amsterdam Light Festival canal cruise

Three local cheeses from the Kaasbar Amsterdam, find the menu here

Three wines selected by the Grapedistrict, find the menu here

Accompanying garnishes

Experienced skipper and host

Audio guide in Dutch and English

Heated boat

Open rear deck

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

1,106 reviews
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These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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What our guests say
Wölm, D
Couple
Verified booking
Jan 2025
The tour was a great experience The service was very friendly
Lidy S
Couple
Verified booking
Jan 2025
We loved everything about it. Captain Abram was a champ, even with hydronic failure, which we did not know about until disembarking. Great guy with great Amsterdam humor. So kind! So was the steward, full of enthusiasm. He even fixed us a to go box for the left over cheese. The lights, with the freezing rained combined, were so beautiful. We hope to do this again in the future. Nothing but praise from us. I am from Amsterdam, but left in 1974, and an experience like this, warms my heart for my Mokum. Thank you.
Claudia G
Couple
Verified booking
Jan 2025
Friendly, welcoming and professional staff; it was easy to book and find the boat; punctual departure; comprehensive explanations in English of the light installations encountered; good cheeses and wines tasted. The view from the boat of the Festival is a new and interesting perspective. The boat trip is always romantic, even in the rain!
Galliez M
Couple
Verified booking
Dec 2024
very nice ride with a very pleasant captain who makes the effort to speak French. the least 'is the quality of the wine and cheese, which don't live up to the ride... too bad!
J. Van D
Couple
Verified booking
Dec 2024
Prima verzorgd door de kapitein en de salon medewerkster.

A cultural fiesta

Begin your magical journey by stepping aboard a comfortable, heated boat. Your friendly skipper and host will greet you, setting the tone for a delightful evening. As you glide down the enchanting canals of Amsterdam, marvel at the city's historical architecture, illuminated by the mesmerizing light festival. The boat, equipped with an exterior deck, ensures you get the best views of the light displays. Enjoy the endless sights and listen to engaging commentaries and tales from your interactive skipper, and an audio guide available in both Dutch and English.

Gourmet delights on board

Indulge in three unique cheeses handpicked and sourced from Dutch farms by Kaasbar Amsterdam, a reputed local cheese bar. Tantalize your taste buds as you pair these local cheeses with three exquisite wines, chosen for their complementary flavours. These wines are organic, purchased directly from small producers through Grapedistrict, ensuring you enjoy the purest and most authentic taste. As you savor these delights, learn about the background and production process from your host. This cruise is not just an exploration of Amsterdam's light festival, but also a delightful journey into the city's culinary culture.

What's not allowed

Pets are not permitted on this cruise.

Accessibility

This experience is wheelchair- and pram/stroller-accessible.

Additional information

Tip: Be sure to try the truffle cheese—a local favourite that's aged for just four weeks but full of flavour.

The Amsterdam Light Festival takes place from Thursday, November 26, 2026, to Sunday, January 17, 2027.

While your ticket includes a designated time slot, brief waiting times may occur during busy periods.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.