Amsterdam Light Festival

Shorter days and lack of light combined with the seasonally cold weather can make winter a difficult time for tourists in a new city. When we arrived in Amsterdam we hadn’t even heard of the Amsterdam Light Festival and had no plans on what to do. But considering the elaborate canal system we knew we wanted to see the city from the water. We had booked a great place to stay in Amsterdam and at dinner in our hotel, we were not only impressed with the great view from the trendy SkyLounge restaurant and bar on the 8^th floor, but also the friendly service. As we were served our meal we were asked about our stay and what plans we had in Amsterdam. We mentioned that we had only arrived and had nothing planned.

That was when we were told about the Amsterdam Light Festival, a winter outdoor festival featuring modern art, light and water. We were told Amsterdam’s initiative of the annual illuminated spectacle, would let us discover the beauty of the city after dark, offering stunning views, intense colours and the opportunity to soak up illuminated scenes from the water. Every evening from 5pm to 11pm for 55 days, Amsterdam’s’ canals host a spectacular outdoor exhibition of breathtaking artworks to light up your winter.

Being a huge fan of all things bright and sparkly this sounded like a perfect event for us to see.

So next day we ventured off via the nearby Sloterdijk Station to Central Station, a five minute train ride away. After spending the day walking around the historical centre of Amsterstam enjoying the rich culture and lively atmosphere we headed back to Central Station and the Iamsterdam store to enquire about the best way to see the event.  We were told a cruise would take us past more than 20 works of light during the 75 minute trip. We were kindly given a media discount to board the Water Colours Cruise which normally costs €20.50 and told the first boat for day would be departing soon.

We made our way over to the pier and quickly boarded our vessel.  Given the chill factor we were glad we’d bundled up and were quickly settled in to enjoy sights. The theme for this year’s event is Friendship because Netherlands will hold the Presidency of the European Union in 2016. Along the way we listened to the commentary giving us information about each work of art along the journey offering a unique view of the city.

The first was Today I Love You, a simplistic, magical sentence, coming from a beautiful dream where you don’t want to wake up and question, but what about tomorrow? Do we have to be content in the moment, are we fixed in time? This poetic light installation opens a new perspective.

My Light is Your Light, six figures made of tubed neon lighting, refugees standing on the dock as they arrive from afar exuding a soft and gentle glow.

Friendala an invitation to dream by means of light, a big mandala representing unity between people sits above the water and the reflection completes the circle.

Bands of Friendship, symbolises endless friendship, hope and appreciation, positioned in a way to be looked at from different angles and perspectives.

Northern Lights, just like the real Aurora Borealis is an astonishing magical experience for people to see.

My favourite, Dearest Friend, is an ode to friendship, taken from the salutation of a letter written in a figurative sense to appeal reason and wisdom.

Paths Crossing is an interplay of lines, consisting of 160 metres of colourful light stretching over the canal from bridge to bridge where a story of friendship begins to unfold, paths cross and paths run parallel.

Talking Heads is two spectacular heads, one showing the numerous human facial expressions and emotions, the other understanding and reacting, communicating without words.

Run Beyond, shows the jump man takes seems impossibly far, but that nothing is impossible if you want it badly enough, conquering fears and limitations.

Open Lounge, an elegant work where we imagine we are in the ballroom of a palace, changing the atmosphere. creating an inviting space and luxurious feeling.

We were taken past each breathtakingly beautiful artworks of light, from Herengracht to Oosterdoc and Amstel, one masterpiece after another.  The beautiful lights were magnified by the water’s reflections along the Amstel River and around the canals in Weesper and Plantage neighborhoods. This is such a great way to take advantage of the cold weather and early sunsets and get to know Amsterdam’s canals, houses and bridges in a unique and special setting.

As we sailed along, under and through the twenty spectactular light artworks we were cast under a romantic spell, enjoying the light sculptures. Both locals and those like us from abroad, were soaking up the atmosphere and clearly impressed with the experience, evident from the sounds of oohing and arghing as we gazed at each illuminated artwork to our left and to our right, magnified by the waters’ reflection.

We found this an enchanting way to light up the city, enjoying spectacular views from the perspective of Amsterdam’s famous waterways as we float though its culturally rich neighbourhoods.  The Amsterdam Light Festival is a great way to light up winter and adds a whole new dimension to this historical city gazing at the sights up close. Scrutinising, gawking at and contemplating each work of art as they float and move in the wind, lighting up, changing colour and reflecting in the canals is a good reason to visit Amsterdam in the dark winter months.

There is a second part of the Amsterdam Light Festival, called Illuminade. This is a 20 minute walking route which starts at Central Station, via Damrak, Rokin and Staalstraat to Café Amstelhoeck. Unfortunately after our full day we did not do the walk, but made our way back to Central Station for one last look at some lights, the Christmas decorations at the station, before making our back to Sloterdijk Station and our hotel for the night.

Now your turn. Did you see the Amsterdam Light Festival? Which was your favourite work of light? Have you had a hotel suggest somewhere that impressed you so much it turned out to be a highlight of your trip?

What are you waiting for? Share this post, give a like or leave a comment below. If you like this post and want to read more like this why not subscribe to our Newsletter? We won’t spam you or share your personal details. If you’re not doing so already, please follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or click the Mix, Flipboard or other social media buttons below to share this post with others who might enjoy reading it.