The 2025 Euro XMAs took place on a Thursday night at Theater Amsterdam, drawing over 1,000 industry figures. The event coincided with the Amsterdam Light Festival, which illuminates the city's canals and features public light art.
Euro XMAs Gathers Industry Luminaries
Over 1,000 industry luminaries from across Europe and beyond gathered at Theater Amsterdam for the 2025 Euro XMAs. The event, described as adult’s biggest night in Europe, featured a red carpet arrival with stars adorned in jewels, captured by photographers.
European star Catherine Knight served as the red-carpet host, arriving in a sheer, body-skimming gown covered in white jewels. The canal across the street from the theater mirrored the glow as attendees entered the foyer, which included a 50-foot-long bar. The crowd then moved into the main auditorium, where a large screen displayed a customary montage of European vistas.
The evening's hosts, Little Caprice and Marcello Bravo, were introduced with a booming announcement. Bravo, dressed in a black suit, addressed the audience, while Caprice, in a sparkling gown, greeted the crowd. Catherine Knight and Amirah Adara were among the first presenters of the evening.
Amsterdam Light Festival Illuminates the City
The 2025 Euro XMAs took place during the Amsterdam Light Festival, an event that transforms Amsterdam's waterways with public light art. Edition 14 of the festival is scheduled from Thursday, November 27, 2025, until Sunday, January 18, 2026. The lights will be on from 4:30 p.m. until 11 p.m. from Wednesday to Saturday, and until 10 p.m. from Sunday to Tuesday, between November 27 and January 4. From January 5 to January 18, the lights will go on at 5 p.m., maintaining the same closing times.
During the Christmas holidays, from December 20 to January 4, the lights will be on daily until 11 p.m. On New Year's Eve, December 31, the lights will go out at 9 p.m. The artwork "Knotted" in the Wereldmuseum can be visited for free on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m.
The Amsterdam Light Festival offers both cruise and walking routes. Cruises typically last 75 minutes and depart every 30 minutes between 5:45 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. The walking route is approximately 6.5 kilometers and can be enjoyed in sections using the festival app during the hours the lights are on.
Festival History and Locations
The Amsterdam Light Festival evolved from earlier events, beginning in 2009 as a Christmas Canal Parade. It expanded in 2010 with the Winter Magic Amsterdam event before becoming the Amsterdam Light Festival in 2012. The festival is now a seven-week event featuring both a walking route and canal cruise tour. The 13th edition of the festival, which occurred from November 28, 2024, to January 19, 2025, featured the theme "World of Rituals." The lights are on daily during the festival, with the exception of New Year's Eve, December 31.
The festival takes place throughout Amsterdam. Key points to access the illuminated route include Amsterdam Centraal train station and Waterlooplein metro station. Information points for the festival are located at Blauwbrug, near Amstel 33, and A Beautiful Mess, Oosterdokskade 227. These information points are open from Thursday until Sunday, starting at 4:30 p.m.
Key Facts
- The 2025 Euro XMAs took place on a Thursday night at Theater Amsterdam.
- Over 1,000 industry luminaries attended the 2025 Euro XMAs.
- Catherine Knight hosted the red carpet for the Euro XMAs and was a presenter with Amirah Adara.
- Little Caprice and Marcello Bravo hosted the 2025 Euro XMAs.
- Edition 14 of the Amsterdam Light Festival runs from November 27, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
- The Amsterdam Light Festival includes a 6.5-kilometer walking route and canal cruises.
