Amsterdam Light Festival 2026 by Private Jet

The Amsterdam Light Festival 2026-2027: dates and format

Launched in 2012, the Amsterdam Light Festival lights up the historic heart of the city throughout the winter. The 2026-2027 edition is the 15th, presented as an anniversary edition; the previous, 14th edition had the theme "Legacy" and ran from 27 November 2025 to 18 January 2026. The festival can be explored in three ways: an approximately 75-minute guided cruise along the canals, a walking route of about 6.5 km lined with installations and guided by the official app, or a bike tour of around 90 minutes. The former route names "Water Colors" and "Illuminade" are no longer used: the organisers now communicate around the cruise and the walking route. A theme, "World of Rituals", has been announced for this edition, to be confirmed on the official website.

Private jet access: Schiphol restricted, Rotterdam as the alternative

Reaching Amsterdam by business aviation now calls for some planning. Schiphol (AMS/EHAM), the main airport, has cut its light business-aviation quota by around 40% since 31 March 2024, lowering the cap from roughly 17,000 to 12,000 movements a year; the airport has also stated a longer-term goal of banning private jets, on an uncertain timeline. Eindhoven is no longer an option: the airport has banned private flights since 1 January 2026. The reference alternative is Rotterdam The Hague (RTM/EHRD), some fifty kilometres from central Amsterdam, about 50 minutes by road, with a 2,200 m runway and business-aviation terminals. For general aviation, Lelystad (LEY/EHLE) remains one of the country's main airports, to the east of the city. We handle the flights, the slots and the ground handling at every stop; see the role of the private terminal (FBO).

Which private jet to reach Amsterdam?

Amsterdam connects to the main European cities in short flight times: about one hour from London and in the order of 1 h 15 from Paris-Le Bourget by light jet, to be confirmed depending on the aircraft, weather and slots. A light jet is well suited to these routes; to choose, see our private jet fleet. We handle the entire flight logistics, from the charter to the ground handling on arrival.

What to see around the festival

The festival is the occasion for a winter stay in a city whose seventeenth-century canal ring has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010. A few steps from the illuminated trails stands the Oude Kerk, the oldest building in Amsterdam, whose origins date back to around 1213 (more than eight centuries), the stone church having been consecrated in 1306. For accommodation, addresses such as the Pulitzer Amsterdam, set within Golden Age canal houses, or the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam extend the atmosphere of the city. Our concierge service coordinates accommodation, transfers and reservations; see also our Amsterdam destination and our private jet charter offer.

IBC Aviation Private Jet Charter:

Our teams advise you on the private jet best suited to your itinerary and needs, and arrange your journey to or from Amsterdam. Available 24/7:

• France: +33 1 41 69 88 88
• Switzerland: +41 22 880 28 88
• Dubai: +971 55 303 5161
• Bangkok: +66 81 808 2866
• Email: contact@ibc-aviation.com

Frequently asked questions

When does the Amsterdam Light Festival 2026-2027 take place?

The 15th edition runs from 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027, subject to confirmation on the festival's official website in autumn 2026. It is an anniversary edition.

How can the festival be experienced?

In three ways: an approximately 75-minute guided cruise along the canals, a walking route of about 6.5 km guided by the official app, or a bike tour of around 90 minutes.

Which airport to reach Amsterdam by private jet?

Schiphol heavily restricts business aviation since 2024, and Eindhoven has banned it since 2026. The reference alternative is Rotterdam The Hague (RTM/EHRD), some fifty kilometres from Amsterdam, with a 2,200 m runway and business-aviation terminals. IBC Aviation arranges charters to or from these airports.

Can you still land at Schiphol by private jet?

Access remains possible but heavily constrained: Schiphol has cut its light business-aviation quota by around 40% since 31 March 2024 and has stated a longer-term ban goal, on an uncertain timeline. Rotterdam The Hague offers a more flexible alternative.