Once a year, the waterways crisscrossing Amsterdam transform from their primary function as utility and regular sightseeing. The canals are reshaped into an art gallery, but rather than admiring the works of Amsterdam’s favourite son, Vincent Van Gogh, it is art away from the canvas. In place of oil paintings, the artwork is cast through light on the entire cityscape. This is what one can expect during the Amsterdam Light Festival aboard the Stromma Light Festival cruise.

In the past decade, the Amsterdam light festival cruise has become one of the leading light art events in the world. The open-air gallery has showcased 270 works of art and attracted six million visitors. The light of the art installations brightens the dark winter months, and against Amsterdam’s charming backdrop, culturally warms both residents and visitors alike.

The festival changes each year, with a selection of diverse artists and a curation of artwork displayed upon the city’s canals. The tenth edition of the Amsterdam Light Festival is called ‘Celebrate Light’ and displays more than twenty light art installations from the past nine editions of the festival.

The luminous history of the festival dates back to the mid-20th century. In October 1929, the Edison Light Week was the first Dutch light event. The city radiated with light bulbs that decorated its architecture, and an illuminated Fokker airplane circled over the city where boats cruised over the canals.

In more recent years, the festival originated from the Christmas Canal Parade, which was first held in 2009. Yet, the founder’s Vincent Horbach, Henk Jan Buchel, and Rogier van der Hedie among others decided that the festival should purely concentrate on light art, and this change transformed the event into the world-famous Amsterdam Light Festival.

Onboard the Stromma Cheese and Wine Cruise, guests’ senses are greeted with floods of light entering through large open windows. The interior is decorated with wooden oak dining seats and tables, covered with cream tablecloths and serviettes. However, the simplistic interior is designed not to be lingered on too much to take the focus away from the light artwork.

Guests provide their request for wine and cheese to waiters smartly dressed in black ties. Moments later, they emerge with a selection of deluxe cheeses from Henri Willig and local wines from the Dutch wine company LFE. The taste of aromatic gouda cheese and rich malbec wine adds to the atmosphere of grandeur as the boat drifts underneath the stars.

One of the many light artwork visitors can observe on board is ‘Whole Hole’ by Paul Vendel and Sandra de Wolf. The installation pulls you into a wormhole of light as the boat glides under the bridge. The piece represents human existence; from birth to death. The canal water exaggerates this symbol by creating a circular effect through the water’s reflection.

Continuing along the canal, the cruise ship approaches the Butterfly Effect by Masmichi Shimada. The piece has a meteorological effect as seven gigantic butterflies flutter over the canals. The rippling impact of the water, triggered by passing cruise ships, causes the luminescent blue wings of the butterflies to brighten, causing visitors’ breaths to stop in its sheer splendour.

Another unique installation is Ghost Ship by Biangle Studio which was inspired by the eerie supernatural ship The Flying Dutchman. The installation is showcased through two crossed projections that create a spectral 3D image of the famous 17th-century Dutch ship. The elemental forces of water and wind naturally bring the ship to life through luminosity and the subtle vibrations of the canal.

The Amsterdam Light Festival ignites a bright light of creativity in the dark winter months. The Stromma Cheese and Wine Cruise is the best way to explore the festival. The experience allows visitors to relax while gliding upon serene water, embracing a glass of wine among friends, and appreciating the light amongst the dark.