A festival of light where the entire city becomes one with art
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, historically known for its development as a maritime trade port, with its famous network of canals weaving throughout the city. While it serves as the country’s capital, the governmental functions such as the parliament and central ministries are based in The Hague. Today, Amsterdam is a vibrant city of around 800,000 people, thriving on tourism and the financial industry. Many Dutch corporations have their headquarters here, including the globally renowned lighting company, Signify (formerly PHILIPS LIGHTING).
I would like to introduce the Amsterdam Light Festival, which takes place annually in the city.
This festival, held from late November to mid-January, is one of Europe’s premier outdoor lighting events, transforming the beautiful canals of Amsterdam’s historic city center into a dazzling display of light. Since its inception in 2012, the festival has attracted artists from all over the world, showcasing innovative light installations and art with powerful messages, delighting visitors of all ages.
[ Amsterdam Light Festival ]
https://amsterdamlightfestival.com/en
When I visited in 2014, the artworks were divided into two main areas: one along the Herengracht canal for water-based installations, and the other on land, east of Amsterdam Central Station.
The water-based exhibits are best enjoyed by cruise. Given the winter season, the outside air was quite cold, so it seemed more people gathered for the water-based exhibition than the land one. At any given time, the lines to board the boat were long. While waiting, the accordion players provided entertainment to make the wait more enjoyable—an especially European touch.
The cruise boat itself wasn’t large, and as passengers boarded, the retro-themed interior was lit by stained-glass pendant lamps. Once the tour began, all the interior lights were turned off, and the passengers’ attention naturally turned to the illuminated works outside. The boat had windows on both sides, offering ample views, but what was even more spectacular was the large, open skylight, offering an even more expansive view of the lights above.
From the boat, the view shifts dramatically from the usual road-level perspective to one that looks up at the city from a slightly lower angle, creating a unique, otherworldly experience.
As the boat glides along the canal, you encounter various light installations — blue rings floating in the air, glowing tulips blooming on the water, and colorful tunnels that shimmer in a spectrum of hues. Even though the boat is moving, sometimes it feels as though the installations are moving, creating an illusion of motion. Some artworks are hard to fully appreciate from a distance, and a few concepts aren’t immediately clear, but the clever use of reflections on the water, perspectives from the boat, and the city’s layout offers valuable insights into how to create impactful visual experiences.
The water-based display is like a “theater,” where successive pieces of light art unfold before you, allowing the audience to passively enjoy the spectacle from their seats.
In contrast to the passive water exhibit, there is also an active, walking-based land exhibit. Here, visitors can explore and discover installations scattered throughout the city. Many of the works react to touch, creating an interactive experience. Personally, I love the thrill of hunting for these pieces with a map in hand. It reminds me of the sense of adventure I felt during childhood treasure hunts — the excitement of completing various missions along the way. However, the cold can be a challenge, so make sure to bundle up well or risk being worn down by the chill!
Photographic-like installations are scattered throughout the city, offering visitors surprise and inspiration. From parks and sidewalks to bridges over canals and projections on buildings, the creative integration of the city and light art was truly a spectacle to enjoy.
By the way, every year, hundreds of artists from around the world apply for this event, but only a select few (just a handful!) are chosen after a rigorous selection process. This is one of the reasons why this event is so popular: unlike simple light decorations, you get to experience entirely unique pieces of art.
As someone working in lighting, I am constantly amazed by how the nature of light is utilized in these works. Yet, I’ve also heard some complaints of disappointment. When people hear “light festival,” many expect grand displays and dazzling, dynamic illuminations. From that perspective, the experience could fall short. While “light” often leads us to focus on brightness and extravagance, deliberately creating darkness can also be an important part of the artistic expression. Some of the works may appear understated at first, but when you understand their intended message, they reveal unexpected discoveries and insights. However, conveying this in a way that everyone can understand is a challenge in itself.
In the long, dark winters of Europe, the Amsterdam Light Festival cleverly uses the extended nighttime to uplift people’s spirits. The unique character of Amsterdam’s canals is expertly incorporated into the event, creating originality that is hard to replicate in other European cities. In places like Japan or other parts of Asia, street advertisements and lights often interfere with such installations, and residents’ complaints can make this kind of event difficult to execute. It’s likely that only within the European context, where the sensitivity to light is deeply ingrained, could such a seamless integration of light into the cityscape be realized.
The Light of “Windows” that Colors Amsterdam
Next, as I turned my attention to the lights of Amsterdam, the light leaking through the windows stood out as particularly striking.
The buildings in the traditional canal district, with their narrow and charming facades, were already beautiful, but what struck me most was how many of the houses had no curtains. Just like in Rotterdam, it was as if the people inside were saying, “Come, look at my private life!” with their windows wide open. For someone like me, who was always taught to “close the curtains at night,” this was quite a refreshing sight. The absence of curtains gives the window lights a sense of depth, making the building itself appear as a giant lantern. With many such windows scattered across the town, they collectively illuminated the entire city. This view of the city at night felt remarkably fresh.
Additionally, Amsterdam has a place known as the “Red Light District,” or “De Wallen,” where you’ll find what are locally called “decorative windows.”
In the Netherlands, prostitution and marijuana are legal. In this district, you’ll encounter various “coffee shops” that have a distinct, almost suspicious, smell to them. The most iconic feature of this area is the bright red fluorescent lighting. Women stand by the windows and “decorate” themselves under the intense red light. Along with the red light, there seems to be a mix of black light as well. From a distance, the red windows stand out, coloring the night scene of the Red Light District and creating an otherworldly, seductive atmosphere.
This area isn’t hidden away or isolated; rather, it is centrally located in the city. The safety of the area is not a concern, and many tourists who are not there for that particular purpose still walk through and add to the lively atmosphere. Of course, it is strictly prohibited to take photos that capture the subjects within the windows, and strong, imposing security guards are always on watch.
The light from these “windows” faces the desires and pleasures of people head-on. It is perhaps one of the most defining aspects of light in a country like the Netherlands, where freedom and openness are celebrated.