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Discover the Amsterdam Light Festival

The Amsterdam Light Festival for the 2025-2026 edition is scheduled to run from November 27, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

If you have been exploring Amsterdam, you might notice colorful art installations around the city. Moreover, the city hosts the annual Amsterdam Light Festival. This year’s edition celebrates the city itself with the theme “A View on Amsterdam.” Artists use the city as their canvas. Additionally, they bring fresh ideas and show different visions of Amsterdam through stunning light art.

Water Colors of the Canals

What do the canals look like during the festival? Until 22 January 2017, the water comes alive with rainbow colors. Some artworks can be seen from the shore. For example, Wolfert’s dog marks the legendary foundation of Amsterdam. Another example is a nest inspired by organic architecture. Meanwhile, other pieces are better seen from the water. These include three-dimensional houses that appear flat from a distance, or the “dangerous love zone” highlighting modern love. Also, the most spectacular pieces include brightly lit tulips in the middle of the canal, a strip of lilacs floating on the water, and bicycles falling into the canal. The bikes symbolize the 15,000 bicycles fished out of Amsterdam canals every year.

Experience the Festival on a KINboat Tour

We joined the festival on a KINboat tour. The smaller boats create a personal experience. Guides are friendly, funny, and passionate about the city. Furthermore, if you are introverted, a cup of hot gluhwein or chocolate helps break the ice. The boat offers a 360-degree view of the canals and leaning Dutch houses. You can choose inside seating to stay warm or outside for perfect photos. Best of all, the boat is 100% electric, making the experience eco-friendly. The 75-minute tour flew by and left us wanting more.

Walking the Illuminade Route

If you prefer to stay on land, the Illuminade route is perfect. It is a free evening walk through the city with 23 outdoor light art pieces. This year, the theme is biomimicry, using nature to solve human problems. For example, you can see green flying pigs in trees as a symbol of positivity and recycling. In addition, you can interact with an illuminated glass house that responds to your voice. Also, you can dance with light trees connecting nature and art. Each installation surprises and inspires. For instance, a flowering phantasm opens its petals with your movement, and light waves respond to the wind.

Fancy a walk?

If you’re not into looking at Amsterdam from below the ground level (although it’s stunning!), then Illuminade is the right part of the Light Festival for you. Enjoy a long evening walk around the magical city admiring the outdoor exhibition presented to you by local and international artists. 23 light art pieces are waiting for you to see Amsterdam in a different dimension (sometimes you can even walk through them!). This year walking route’s theme is biomimicry that brings nature to solve problems of humans. The best news is that you can enjoy this charming walk for FREE till 8 January 2017, just grab your map and good company.

Watch the green flying pigs in a tree (no, you don’t need to smoke to see them!) being a symbol of positivism and recycling, or find an illuminated glass house activated through your voice that would make you feel surreal, or dance with the light trees connecting with nature and art. Your opportunities are endless and will surprise you with each artwork you pass: just think about the flowering phantasm opening its petals with you movement or light waves that operate with the help of the wind and make you think about sustainable energy.

The Amsterdam Light Festival is a magical experience. Whether on a KINboat tour or walking the Illuminade route, the city transforms into a vibrant art gallery. From colorful canals to interactive light installations, there is something for everyone to enjoy. It is only 15 min from Amsterdam Teleport Hotel to city centre!

Dutch Winter Food: A Cozy Guide

Warm up in Amsterdam

As temperatures drop and Christmas decorations appear, you might crave some warm food while exploring Amsterdam. The dark days mark the start of the cold season, but they also bring delicious Dutch winter dishes. They may not be fancy, but they are hearty, filling, and worth trying. There are some tips from Amsterdam Teleport Hotel.

The mash pot of stamppot

Dating back to the early 1600s, stamppot is one of the oldest Dutch dishes. It’s made with mashed potatoes, mixed with vegetables like sauerkraut, kale (boerenkool), endive, turnip greens, spinach, or even carrots and onions.

Each variation has its own name: hutspot, zuurkoolstamppot, boerenkoolstamppot, or andijviestamppot. Some restaurants even serve a sampler so you can try several in one meal. But your trip to Amsterdam isn’t complete without tasting at least one version.

Hete Bliksem – Potatoes Meet Apples

This unique stamppot combines mashed potatoes with sweet and sour apples. Onions and bacon often come along, creating a savory-sweet balance. Most stamppots are served with a traditional Dutch smoked sausage, rookworst.

Be careful: once you try rookworst, you might end up buying a few to take home. And don’t miss rookworst broodje with mustard at HEMA – the ultimate Dutch street snack.

Erwtensoep

When you need something warm and filling, try erwtensoep. It’s made with green split peas, carrots, celery, onions, potatoes, and often bacon or sausage. This thick soup is a true winter classic.

Tip: the best erwtensoep is so rich that your spoon stands upright in the bowl.

Hachee stew

Beef stew is perfect for cold days, but the Dutch version, hachee, has its own charm. Made with tender beef, caramelised onions, and a mix of herbs and spices, it cooks slowly for hours until rich and flavorful. Once a peasant meal, it is now beloved by both locals and visitors.

Vegetable soup

In the Netherlands, even vegetable soup comes with a twist. The winter version is made with traditional Dutch vegetables such as kale, celeriac, and carrots – plus small meatballs. Nourishing, simple, and satisfying.

Oliebollen for desert

When walking past food stalls near Museumplein or city squares, you’ll notice the smell of oliebollen. These fried donut balls with raisins, dusted with powdered sugar, are a Dutch holiday tradition.

Some may call them “unhealthy,” but locals call them “the taste of winter.” Their sweet aroma fills Amsterdam’s streets and signals the festive season has begun.

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Amsterdam Light Festival