To brighten Amsterdam’s coldest winter months, the Amsterdam Light Festival commissions art luminaries to adorn the Venice of the North during the holidays. Founders Henk Jan Buchel and Vincent Horbach first begin the festival as a canal parade on Christmas Eve 2009, quickly realizing the potential for light installations with a wintery Amsterdam backdrop. Their vision debuted in 2012 as the first annual festival, lasting for 40 days using the sustainable mediums of light and the water as connecting elements. This year, the festival will begin December 6, 2013 lasting until January 19, 2014 for a total of 50 days. Visitors can experience the festival via boat, snaking through historic canals illuminated by artists including Claudia Reh and Taco Anema. Walking routes on The Illuminade showcases art projections, exhibitions in public spaces, and works that require visitor participation from December 12 to January 5. And for the good people of Amsterdam, Socialight consists of programs specifically locals, taking place at various spots in the city.

For more information, please visit Amsterdam Light Festival