Amsterdam Light Festival 2023-2024

The Amsterdam Light Festival is once again upon us and will once again transform the city into a brilliant, colourful and magical place. This year promises to be more impressive than ever before. For with a fascinating collection of light artworks and installations, Amsterdam's canals, streets and buildings are illuminated and brought to life.

In recent years, the annual spectacle has established itself as a global beacon for creative minds and artists. They use light as their medium to tell stories and evoke emotions. In the process, every year the festival brings a fresh wave of innovative artworks that amaze and inspire visitors from all over the world.

An illuminated open-air museum

Amsterdam will be transformed into an open-air museum during the festival season. Here, light artists and designers from all over the world present their imagination and their works to the public. View the enchanting canals from a boat or just stroll through the streets to admire the breathtaking installations. The festival offers an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages!

From 30 November 2023 till 21 January 2024, you have the opportunity to rent a historic boat from us to view the light artworks along the route.

Edition 12: Get immersed in the stories of AI and technology

For Amsterdam Light Festival 2023-2024 we have asked artists to consider the effects of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) on our everyday lives. The ways in which we communicate, engage and create are all impacted by technology and
AI. What is the impact on the human condition? How does society change because of this digital evolution? And where are the boundaries? The different perspectives will be highlighted during Edition 12, with the theme: LOADING… Revealing Art, AI and Tech.

The route consists of more than twenty light artworks by the hand of international artists. From renowned names to surprising newcomers and everything in between A very diverse selection We dive deeper into our relationship with personal tech, the mobile phone being at the forefront – we cannot live without it, but sometimes you wish you could throw it in the canal Subjects such as swarm intelligence, self learning algorithms, facial recognition and motion capture are also explored.
Edition 12 is a translation of, or commentary on, the all-encompassing and omnipresent technology that we so heavily rely on and that is intertwined with our everyday lives. What’s coming next? That’s still Loading…

For years, the festival has been a bright spot during the dark days.

This period is extremely busy for us. Therefore, we recommend checking availability early to avoid disappointment.

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Thema Amsterdam Light Festival 2023-2024: 'Technology & AI'

 

Practical Info

During the festival, 20 light sculptures will be placed along and on the canals. These works of light art can be viewed by boat every evening from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Festival period
Edition#12 will take place from Thursday 30 November 2023 to Sunday 21 January 2024.

Theme
With the theme 'Technology & AI', the artists aim to spark the imagination. Be swept past beautiful light creations and imaginative sculptures.

Daily opening hours
The light artworks are on every day from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and till 8 p.m. on New Year's Eve.
Read all about the artworks, artists, route and activities at: www.amsterdamlightfestival.com

Highlights Amsterdam Light Festival 2019 to 2022

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Affordable arrangements on the canals

Rederij Mokum has developed several exiting packages. All our arrangements include snacks, (unlimited) drinks and payment to the organisation of the Amsterdam Light Festival . So everything is clear and without surprises.

 

 

ALF | Bruisend arrangement

Delicious bubbles with an appetizer

 

Vanaf € 45,- p.p.

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ALF | Winter Wonderland

Mulled wine, hot chocolate and a luxury snackboard

 

Frpm € 63,50 p.p.

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Santa’s Workshop “Build a Burger”

ALF | Santa’s Workshop “Build a Burger”

Celebrate American style with Eggnog, burgers and ugly Christmas sweaters

From € 67,50 p.p.

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winter BBQ Amsterdam ALF

ALF | Winter barbecue

Winter barbecue with fine wines


From € 89,50 p.p.

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ALF | American Christmas

A real American Christmas Dinner in your own "Ugly" Christmas sweater

From € 97,50 p.p.

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ALF | Chef’s special Walking dinner

Chef on board prepares fresh eight courses for you

From € 115,- p.p.

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Gin Tonic citrus sailing boat tour Amsterdam

 

Any questions or special requests?

Rederij Mokum is a young company with original ideas for boat tours. Contact us at 020 210 15 45or mail to info@rederijmokum.nl

 

 

 

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IMPRESSION IMAGES PREVIOUS YEARS

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WHY REDERIJ MOKUM?

  • No better way to see the festival than by boat.
  • Our heated and comfortable boats offer a comfortable place to admire the Light Festival.
  • As an official partner of the festival, we can offer an all-inclusive package with always a tailor-made offer at a competitive price.
  • For a small surcharge, you will have a guide on board.
  • We sail with respect for the environment.
  • Our ships are suitable for all ages! We have children's life jackets on board.
  • Did you know that when the weather is nice, we can also sail with an open hood in winter?
  • Our ships are equipped with dual heating systems. Always nice and warm, no matter how hard it freezes.

For a first impression, check out the time lapse we made.

Score van bezoekers: 5

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HISTORY OF THE AMSTERDAM LIGHT FESTIVAL

The festival was first held in 2011. The public-private partnership is housed in a foundation. The festival is characterised by the many works of light by artists from home and abroad, displayed in public. The works are located along a boating route called Water Colors and a walking route called Illuminade. In doing so, the artworks are created specifically for the Amsterdam Light Festival. Source Wikipedia

Iniatives Horbach and Buchel

Now with the 12th edition coming up, the question arises as to how this successful festival ever came to be. Success has many fathers. This is why we like to put the real founding fathers in the spotlight.

Its roots date back to 2009. Vincent Horbach and Henk Jan Buchel take inspiration from the Winterfest in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A merry Christmas boat parade in the warm waters around Florida. Amsterdam's canals are not exactly a paragon of crowds in winter. That's why a fun festival, like the one in Florida, is most welcome in Amsterdam.

Horbach and Buchel initiated the first Christmas Canal Parade in 2009. In other words, a parade of illuminated boats through the city. The gracefully artfully lit tour of about 20 ships sails from the Westerdok across the Prinsengracht to the Oosterdok. The scenery is fantastic that first year! The city is all white with snow. It is Christmas Eve and the bridges are full of people.

Amsterdam Light Festival

In 2010, Felix Guttman, owner of Canal Company was brought in. The name was changed to Winter Magic Amsterdam. From then on, the focus will be on artistic light art. Well-known artists (from a variety of disciplines) such as Gilian Schrofer, Aziz Bekkaoui and Eric Staller help make the Christmas Canal Parade a success. Along the route and from the boats, numerous choirs will sing Christmas Carols and well-known carols.

In 2011 during the height of the crisis, it is decided not to go ahead with the festival. That year, it was also decided to change the name and bundle the winter activities under the name Amsterdam Light Festival. The focus shifts from entertainment to light art along the quay.

2012 was the start of this amazing light show as we know it today.

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