It is always pleasantly busy in Amsterdam, but now it has become even more pleasant. It’s time again for the annual Amsterdam Light Festival. From today until January 21, 2024 you can view 24 beautiful light artworks in the center. As every year, this can be done from the water, but of course also from the quay during a walk or bike ride.
Amsterdam Light Festival 2023-2024
It’s a big thing in Amsterdam every year. Since 2012, the city has been illuminated annually with various light artworks, which always belong to a specific theme. This time the theme is Loading… and the artworks have to do with technology and artificial intelligence (AI). From today until January 21, 2024 you can find and view these works of art in the city. As usual, you can do this from the water, by booking a pleasant boat trip. But of course you can also just take a walk along the lights or cycle along the canals. Don’t forget to wear warm clothes and get a hot chocolate as a reward!
Technology and AI
As mentioned, the light artworks at this year’s Amsterdam Light Festival are about technology and AI. The artworks show the effect of technology and AI on society. The question is: does it help society or does it just make everything worse? According to festival director Frédérique ter Brugge, the makers of the works of art like to take people out of their comfort zone, she tells Het Parool: “We consciously highlight both sides to encourage people to talk to each other.” Interesting!
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Where to see?
The works of art of the Amsterdam Light Festival 2023 are once again located along the Herengracht, the Nieuwe Herengracht and the water in front of Central Station. The entire route is 7.5 kilometers long and can be found in the Amsterdam Light Festival app. You can also buy a map on site for €7.99 at the information point on Stoperaplein or at the Hoftuin. The latter is located behind Museum H’art and is open from December 14, 2023 to January 7, 2024.
Please note: the light artworks are not on all day. The artworks of the Amsterdam Light Festival can be seen from Sunday to Tuesday from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. From Wednesday to Saturday you can view the light artworks from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM. The works of art can also be viewed for an hour longer during the Christmas holidays (December 23, 2023 to January 7, 2024): until 11 p.m. If you would like to ring in the new year with beautiful lights, we have to disappoint you. The lights are turned off on New Year’s Eve.
