What are the dates of the Light Festival cruise?

The Smokeboat Light Festival tour runs from November 28 to January 19 and lasts 75 minutes.

Is the Smokeboat suitable for children?

No. The listing specifies a minimum age of 18 years for this tour.

Can I bring food, drink, or cannabis onboard?

Yes; the tour is BYO for supplies and is 18+ and 420-friendly according to the operator’s listing.

What is the cancellation policy?

The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour.

Where do we meet for the tour?

Meet at Oudezijds Voorburgwal 197, 1012 EX Amsterdam, Netherlands for boarding.

Is the tour narrated or educational?

No. The Smokeboat is focused on relaxation and viewing the installations rather than providing commentary.

Smokey Light Smokeboat: Amsterdam Light Festival Canal Cruise (Nov 28–Jan 19)

On a crisp winter evening, Smokey Light Tours' Smokeboat slips into Amsterdam’s oldest canals and turns the city’s light installations into a private gallery on water. The meeting point is Oudezijds Voorburgwal 197, Amsterdam, and the 75‑minute, adults-only cruise runs during the Amsterdam Light Festival from November 28 to January 19. This is not a raucous party boat but a slow, low-slung ride built for close-up views: reflections of sculptural lights pool against brick canal walls, while gabled houses and the Oude Kerk frame each installation. The experience is intentionally simple. Smokeboat is 420-friendly and operates with a “bring your own supplies” policy; the company lists the outing as relaxation rather than a narrated tour. With no commentary, the focus is entirely on the art and the atmosphere — you’ll float beneath bridges, pass hidden courtyards, and thread through the 17th-century canal ring that helped earn Amsterdam its UNESCO World Heritage status. Expect to see contemporary light sculptures, projection mapping on façades, and inventive installations that use the canal’s glassy surface as a mirror. Because the route follows the festival’s curated network of pieces, every bend in the canal can reveal a new composition of light and shadow. The boats are small enough to slip close to shorelines, making it easy to photograph reflections and details that look different from land-based viewpoints. The format favors evening photographers, night owls, and anyone who prefers a quieter way to take in the festival without crowds. Practical details matter: the tour departs from Oudezijds Voorburgwal 197; passengers must be 18 or older; duration is 75 minutes; and free cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours ahead. Wear layers, bring waterproof shoes for boarding, and protect camera gear from spray and cold. Mobility and accessibility information is not provided in the listing, so contact the operator if you need assistance. This ride stands out because it trades narration for intimacy, and because a canal-level vantage makes the Amsterdam Light Festival feel cinematic. For visitors staying in central Amsterdam, it’s an efficient, atmospheric way to experience the season’s best installations without fighting foot traffic. Whether you come for photography, a mellow night out, or an alternative cultural view of the city, the Smokeboat turns Amsterdam’s illuminated canals into an unforgettable, chilled-out art crawl. Because the boat is adults-only and unstaffed in terms of commentary, groups often create their own soundtrack: soft conversation, camera shutters, and the occasional cup of something warm. The boarding point is on a busy canal street, so arrive 10–15 minutes early to find the dock, load gear. Combine the cruise with a walk past the Oude Kerk or a late dinner in the nearby Red Light District cafés to extend the evening.