Did you know that from 30 November 2017 until 21 January 2018 the Dutch capital illuminates for the annual Amsterdam Light Festival? Take a canal cruise along, under and through spectacular light artworks. There is also a walking route from 14 December to 7 January.
All light art installations are exclusively made for the Amsterdam Light Festival by Dutch and international artists, designers and architects. From the artwork in the masts of historical ship at the National Maritime Museum to the unique light art above the Herengracht canal, they were all created with a specific location in mind.
Water exhibition 30 November 2017 to 21 January 2018
Every day from from 17:00 until 23:00 various artworks will light up the canals of Amsterdam. On New Year’s Eve the artworks are illuminated from 17:00 until 20:00. Several boating companies offer Water Colors Cruises but you can also see the light art installations from shore (tip: rent a bicycle).
Land exhibition 14 December 2017 until 7 January 2018
The land exhibition takes place at the Marineterrein, not far from Amsterdam Central Station. Various light art installations on Marineterrein are illuminated daily from 17:00 until 22:00. You are free to explore the exhibition grounds on your own or join a guided tour. On New Year’s Eve the artworks are illuminated from 17:00 until 20:00.
How to get to Marineterrein Amsterdam
It is about a 15-minute walk from Amsterdam Central Station. When you exit the train station from the main entrance, go left and follow the Oosterdokskade. Walk passed the bridge to Nemo and cross the pedestrian bridge towards the striking Klimmuur building. Continue walking along Dijkspark and Mediamatic on the Dijksgracht. The first bridge on your right hand side (Commandantsbrug) leads you to the northern part of the Marineterrein.
Public transport from Amsterdam Central Station
Bus 22 to Indische Buurt – exit at Kattenburgerplein
Tram 26 to IJburg – exit at Kattenburgerstraat
The address of the main entrance is Kattenburgerstraat 7, 1018 JA Amsterdam.
Ai Weiwei at Amsterdam Light Festival
The longest light art installation of the festival is created by the famous Chinese contemporary artist and activist Ai Weiwei. His artwork, called ‘thinline’ spans along the entire 7.5km route of the water exhibition. Ai Weiwei wants to point out figurative and literal boundaries. National borders, language barriers but also personal boundaries, the limitation of possibilities and borderline cases.
