{"id":22423,"date":"2025-01-11T07:48:53","date_gmt":"2025-01-11T07:48:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/amsterdam\/lighting-the-way-a-guide-to-the-amsterdam-light-festival-amsterdamian\/"},"modified":"2025-01-11T07:48:53","modified_gmt":"2025-01-11T07:48:53","slug":"lighting-the-way-a-guide-to-the-amsterdam-light-festival-amsterdamian","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=22423","title":{"rendered":"Lighting the Way: A Guide to the Amsterdam Light Festival | Amsterdamian"},"content":{"rendered":"


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November, with its shorter, rainy and grey days is here, but fear not, because there are things planned that will bring light and joy to these days! One of them is the Amsterdam Light Festival<\/a><\/strong>, a spectacular event that illuminates the city\u2019s canals, streets and skies with magical light installations, from November till January. Held annually during winter<\/a>, the festival adds to the beauty of Amsterdam, embracing the city in a radiant glow.<\/p>\n

For its 13th edition in 2024, the festival chose the theme \u201dRituals\u201d.<\/strong> This is coming as the festival coincides with the big celebration of 750 years of Amsterdam and rituals are the best ways we, as people, like to mark a special celebration. Also, as light plays an important role in many rituals (think about bonfires, candles and fireworks), this theme is even more appropriate for the special edition of the festival.<\/p>\n


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Artists from all over the world will create 27 unique light artworks<\/strong> that can be admired from water and land<\/strong>. Each work of art stands as a beacon of human creativity, resonating with the city\u2019s historic charm. The city will be transformed by the magic emanating from these light sculptures, the colours highlighting its architectural elegance, and helping us see Amsterdam from new perspectives.<\/p>\n

This year, a special cruise will be offered to 35 amazing people from Amsterdam<\/strong> that are nominated by their peers, through the \u201dNominate your ray of light\u201d programme. These should be Amsterdammers that are committed to their city \u2013 the ones that volunteer for their community, the ones who keep the street clean, etc.<\/p>\n

The history of the Amsterdam Light Festival<\/h2>\n

Nowadays considered already a winter tradition<\/a><\/strong>, the first edition of the Amsterdam Light Festival took place in 2012 \u2013 2013. It originated from the Christmas Canal Parade<\/strong>, held for the first time in 2009. This first edition was smaller than what it is nowadays, and it had a Christmas Canal Parade too. I was there to witness it: Amsterdam Light Festival 2012<\/a>.<\/p>\n


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The 2013 -2014 edition brought an extension of the route<\/strong> to more canals than just the Amstel, and, from then on, each year brought new light art illuminating the city, and the festival became more and more popular.<\/p>\n

In 2015 \u2013 2016, Princess Beatrix opened the festival<\/strong>, marking its increasing importance, and the festival started its first international collaboration to present light artworks from its own collection at events in other cities.<\/p>\n

The 2016 \u2013 2017 edition of the Amsterdam Light Festival<\/a> reached almost a million visitors, and major architects took part in the festival, together with international artists.<\/p>\n


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In 2017 \u2013 2018, the routes were separated in \u201dWater\u201d and \u201dLand\u201d, and visitors could take the water route by boat or walking route on foot. I think this was my favourite edition<\/a>, with the most beautiful light artworks adorning the canals and streets.<\/p>\n


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The festival didn\u2019t pause during the pandemic, and between 2020 \u2013 2022 it continued to exhibit, although at a smaller scale. It was well received, as people were eager to participate in any kinds of cultural events, and, being in open air, this could be something to do without worrying about getting sick.<\/p>\n

Last year, in the 2023 \u2013 2024 edition, the festival got an app launched, in addition to the walking route and it returned to the original route in the city centre, after a few years of being diverted to centre and east.<\/p>\n