I’ve lost count of the number of times that I’ve visited Amsterdam. But some how I always seem to miss the annual Amsterdam Light Festival. Illuminating the wintery gloom, this colorful event features dozens of light installations scattered throughout the city. This year’s festival theme is “Friendship”, with thirty-five sight-specific pieces by both local and international artists.

The installations are now powered entirely by renewable energy and can be visited by self-guided walking tours. And since this is Amsterdam, there’s a long canal boat tour as well, but it costs €20 this year. The festival runs through January 17, 2016.