Strange illuminated objects and artistic patterns of light are reflecting off the surfaces of Amsterdam?s canals and brightening the facades of nearby buildings as part of the annual Amsterdam Light Festival, which will remain in place until January 21st, 2018. This year?s theme is “existential,” challenging participating artists from 45 countries to produce light-centric artworks that envision some ways in which illumination could be used to bring people together. The installations interact with dozens of the city?s historic buildings, bridges, floating platforms, and ships. The result feels uniquely “Amsterdam,” adding a new dimension to the experience of exploring the city after dark.

The works are located along two exhibition routes: “Water Colors,” which follows the Amstel River around Amsterdam?s canal belt, and “Illuminade,” which is walkable. Boat tours are available from a variety of canal tour companies to take in Water Colors from the unique river perspective, while Illuminade is free and easy to access, featuring 20 light art installations within MarineTerrein Amsterdam, a new seaside development site within walking distance of Amsterdam Central Station. This year?s exhibition even offers visitors the chance to catch a work of art by renowned Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. His contribution, “ThinLine,” consists of a four-mile-long fiberglass line that travels throughout the historical center of Amsterdam an...