Fabrique des Lumières Amsterdam

Digital art in Amsterdam to enliven the spirit

One of the newest Amsterdam attractions, Fabrique des Lumières is already becoming one of the most popular and for good reason.

Situated in an old gas works built in the 19th century in the Westergas region, this venue is huge. It has 17m high walls and the art is not only in front of you, it surrounds you and as you explore or sit in wonder, you can even become a part of it.

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Where is Fabrique des Lumieres AMSTERDAM

Fabrique des Lumières is located in the Westergas region of Amsterdam, a short 10 minute bus or bike ride from Amsterdam Centraal Station.

We took the No.21 Amsterdam bus from Centraal Station and arrived right outside the door 10 minutes later (Van Hallstraat/Westergasfabriek stop).

You can also cycle there in ten minutes from Central Station or take the No.3 Amsterdam tram (Van Limburg Stirumplein or Van Hallstraat/Westergasfabriek stop).

Fabrique des Lumières AMSTERDAM TICKETS

An ever increasingly popular attraction means that tickets can be hard to come by. A lady we spoke to on the bus there had been trying to get tickets for two months, although we did not have to wait quite that long as we visited in January 2023 outside peak season and not on a weekend.

As Fabrique des Lumières is a vast space, it can hold lots of people, which will help with ticket availability and if social distancing requirements should ever return in the future. It certainly was not too crowded when we were there, but at peak times I would expect there to be lots more people, which the building could easily swallow up.

Ticket Prices at Fabrique des Lumières

Adult: €17

Students: €14

Youth (5-17): €13

Children up to 5 years: Free

I Amsterdam Card holders: €13

I Amsterdam City Card includes discounted entry to Fabrique. Learn more about the I Amsterdam City Card.

As tickets can be scarce, we have put an availability checker below for you to check your date(s) against. If, you cannot find availability through this supplier then you can also try the links below.

Buy tickets online for Fabrique des Lumières – Tiqets supplier

Buy tickets for Fabrique des Lumières – Get Your Guide supplier

Opening times at Fabrique des Lumières

During peak times Fabrique des Lumières digital art exhibition is open between 9am and 9pm.

In winter and on holidays the exhibitions usually open from 9am until 5pm.

There are also some evening openings when they have special guest artists showing their work. These are usually on Friday and Saturday evenings.

It is always worth checking when booking anyway, as you will be given a time slot for your ticket.

The Klimt & Hundertwasser exhibition was running when we visited in January 2023.

What will I see at Fabrique des Lumières?

This section may get a little flowery, but we think it is deserved. The key here is not just what you will see, but how you will feel. We liken it to being in a moving cathedral with ever changing visuals in a grand space, that seem to float all around you.

The artworks loop around every 30-minutes or so which means as you wander you do experience a different environment all the time. It is a place to either walk around and discover or find a nice spot to sit down and just let it wash over you.

How long will I need at Fabrique des Lumières?

You should allow at least two hours for your visit, but may find time drifts away from you and you stay longer.

Best way to view Fabrique des Lumières Amsterdam

There are about 40 seats in the venue (some are upturned drums) but we could see people sitting down against the walls, their faces and bodies covered in different moving lights, so it really is how the mood takes you.

Although we were there to look at and experience the art, it is hard not to people watch too. Saying some were in a trance is too strong, but you could see that for some the effect of the art swirling around them really hit them on some deeper level. It would be accurate to say in places it is truly mesmorising and creates that inward smile.

As the time progresses, the lights change colour and different levels of brightness, so one minute you can feel darkness, calm and solemnity and just a few minutes later rich, vibrant colours assail your senses, lifting you right back up. This creates a real rollercoaster of emotional connections.

What type of art is shown at Fabrique des Lumières?

Depending on the artist on show when you arrive, the experience could be starkly different to your last visit. Gustav Klimt was the artist showcased on our visit, but Lumières​ have included artists like Salvidor Dali, Van Gogh and Monet too. Impressionists are very suitable for this kind of digital art. But as time progresses we feel modern artists will create artworks just for this space too and that is an exciting prospect.

In 2024 ‘Destination Cosmos – The Immersive Experience’, Dali & Gaudi are currently featured until near the end of February, with Cosmos in the afternoon slot after lunch.

A truly mindful experience

For us, an attractions success, especially an art based one, is deciding if we would visit again or had we seen all we could? Fabrique des Lumières is a place you could frequent often, even to see the same digital art multiple times because of the experience it gives you. Lots of people talk about mindfullness nowadays and here is a place to come to experience just that.

We would come again in a heart beat and perhaps thats why the tickets are so hard to come by and why we cant wait to see what comes next.

Fabrique des Lumières shop

There is a small shop in the venue which sells art works, books and Amsterdam gifts. These are mostly related to the current exhibition but also general things that any art fan would enjoy.

One thing lacking currently is a cafe. We imagine that it is unlikley to be long before one appears though. There are though restuarants, cafes and bakeries very close by.

Fabrique des Lumières​ accessibility

There is good accessibility at Fabrique des Lumières, all except one area. There is a gantry that overlooks the exhibitions spaces and has a very good view of various walls and art from the higher vantage point. This gantry is only accessed by stairs. The ground floor space is large though and although you will not get the higher view you will be able to explore everywhere else.

One additional note is that the venue and shows may not be suitable for people who suffer with epilepsy or vertigo. There are a lot of moving visuals, colours and lights which may prove to be a problem.