Every year, Amsterdam hosts a festival of lights from November last week to January 20 of the next year. You must not miss this festival when in Amsterdam this winter season. This is a city of canals and cobblestoned streets, the perfect kind of setting for a festival like this. Take a unique experience in this festive time, like a private boat canal cruise for instance. The list of things to do in this particular period does not end there, though. With Christmas returning to the Dutch capital, there is a lot more for you to do here.
Winter is the Best Time to Go to Amsterdam
Of course, a trip to the nation’s capital is an enticing idea any time of the year, but there is something special about Amsterdam in winter. Of course, there is the light festival, but winter also brings its own valuable perks to the Dutch and tourists alike. One such good thing is the much-reduced price of hotels in the winter season.
If you are planning to take an Amsterdam Light Festival private boat tour this time, then your chances are not all that great. Be sure to take that cruise before the Dutch canals freeze and turn into ice. When this happens at that time, the natives will skate on ice wearing boots with blades fixed to their sole.
This ice staking occurs not just in Amsterdam, but all over Holland. Then again, if you are a returning traveler to Amsterdam city, and if you prefer the indoors to outdoors, then winter could just be your best time to make the trip. The roads then will be less crowded than in other seasons, so you can take part in the festival in a more enjoyable manner.
Stunning Art to See
The main reason that we strongly recommend this festival is that you will be able to enjoy some amazing light artworks this time. In the town’s east area, you will notice all manner of creative pieces presented together with glowing, in boat route or walking path’s form. Disrupt! is the theme for this one year, and it must awaken and surprise the cyclist, walker and other bystanders properly. The women and men behind this festival did everything in 2019 to make the audience think about existing dilemmas through light art. Think the weather predicament, energy relations, disputes and more. The works of art displayed in the festival are often remarkable, so a trip to Amsterdam just for it is more than worthwhile.
See Amsterdam from a Unique Side
Besides, the event is worth the trip, because by taking part in it, you will be able to see a completely different side of Amsterdam. Perhaps at whatever time you visit, you ordinarily will not reach this east part of the capital city and see new stunning locations and hotspots thus. Seeing Amsterdam is unique in the winter setting: the illuminated Dutch canals may appear better at night than the daytime. One more great sight to have would be the works of art from a canal cruise. Viewing the works of art from a canal cruiser helps the festival to be much more stunning than it would otherwise be. The cruising path is a little over 3.6 miles, which is extremely long if you think about it. Do you would rather choose a walk instead? If so, the recommended walking route is slightly more than 3.9 miles.
More Things to Do and Practical Information
Besides the festival, you can celebrate Amsterdam winter in many ways. Stroll along many canal paths and enjoy the stunning range of bridges and canal-side structures in the capital. Alternatively, you can lease a bicycle and see more of Amsterdam than if you only walk amid the city. Take your own skates or hire some from the museum square. Up to February 02, 2020, you can spin around in skates, enjoy chocolate milk or even sightsee the whole day at many other skating areas.
From December 21, 2019, to January 05, 2020, you can explore the Amsterdamse Winterparadijs event. The RAI Amsterdam Convention Center will be turned into the setting for this winter experience. There, you will have a lot to experience in the daytime and the evening. Discover the best view of the city from the Dutch Ferris wheel, go racing on ice and skate under the sky on the outdoor and indoor rink.
The festival will run through January 19, 2020. There will be at least 30 works to admire that will be set in a unique way. These works are often illuminated daily from 05:00 pm to 11:00 pm, barring the evening of December 31st, each year. Then, you can see artworks until 08:00 pm.