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Dyker Heights Christmas Lights (Visitor’s Guide)

ByMelissa

If you’re visiting New York City during Christmas, the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights should be on your itinerary.

Every December, this quiet Brooklyn neighbourhood transforms into one of the most spectacular Christmas displays, with grand houses decked out in Christmas lights, life-sized Santas, music, and elaborate decorations covering entire homes.

I first visited Dyker Heights a few days before Christmas, and it was the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. My favourite house had fake snowfall! It made up for there being no snow on the ground in NYC yet.

Let’s get right into everything you need to know about the Christmas lights in Dyker Heights, including when to visit them, the best streets, how to get there, and whether you should take a tour.

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights at a Glance

  • Best Time to Visit: December, ideally on a weekday
  • Cost: Free
  • Time Needed: 1.5–2 hours
  • Best Area: 11th–13th Avenues and 82nd–86th Streets
  • Best Way to Get There: Subway or drive and park nearby

Where is Dyker Heights Christmas Lights?

The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights are located in the Dyker Heights neighbourhood of Brooklyn, New York, between 11th and 13th Avenues and 82nd to 86th Streets.

Dyker Heights is approximately 22.5 km (14 miles) from Rockefeller Center and 24 km (15 miles) from Central Park. From Midtown Manhattan, it takes about an hour to reach the Christmas lights using public transportation.

The neighbourhood is residential, so there isn’t one specific entrance or starting point. Once you arrive in the area, you can walk between the streets and houses to see the different Christmas displays.

When Does Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Start and End?

The Dyker Heights Christmas lights dates begin the day after US Thanksgiving (marking the official start of Christmas in NYC) and stay up until early January.

Keep in mind that these are individual family homes, so there is no official Dyker Heights Christmas Lights schedule. Not every house puts up decorations, and individual homeowners may put their lights up or take them down at different times.

For the best experience, I’d visit in December when the majority of the displays are lit up.

If you’re in New York in late November, December, or early January, this is a must-have on your NYC Christmas itinerary.

Best Streets For Christmas Lights in Dyker Heights

The best Christmas lights at Dyker Heights are between 11th to 13th Avenues and between 82nd to 86th Street. Not every house is decorated, but you’ll find many of the biggest and most elaborate displays throughout these streets.

You’ll know you’re on the best streets when you start seeing more people. Crowds tend to form outside the most impressive houses and the displays with music, moving decorations, or other interactive features.

I enjoyed wandering through the neighbourhood aimlessly, seeing what I would find. You don’t need to follow a specific route, so take your time and explore the streets at your own pace.

How to Get to Dyker Heights Christmas Lights

Depending on where you’re staying in NYC and how you plan to travel, Dyker Heights is straightforward. It takes about an hour from the central points by public transportation, and even less if you drive.

Driving

I drove to get to the Dyker Heights NY Christmas lights (view location on Google Maps here). Unless you’re in the heart of Manhattan, you won’t have to drive through the city center, which makes it less stressful.

There’s no Dyker Heights Christmas lights parking, so you’ll need to find street parking nearby and walk to the neighbourhood from there. Street parking is limited and competitive, especially on weekends, so you may need to park several blocks away. I ended up finding parking at 13th Avenue and 81st Street.

Subway

The next best way to see the Dyker Heights Brooklyn Christmas lights is to take the subway and walk about a mile from the station.

You can take the N train to 59th St, get off, and switch to the R train to 86th St. The train lets you off on 4th Ave, so it’s about a 20-minute walk to 10th Ave and 86th St.

From there, you can walk through the neighbourhood and explore the Christmas displays at your own pace.

3 Best Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tours

If you don’t want to deal with navigating the neighbourhood yourself or are short on time, you can book a Christmas Lights tour of Dyker Heights:

Visiting Tips for Dyker Heights Holiday Lights

  • Do not drive through Dyker Heights. While you technically can, it’s too chaotic with the mix of people walking, cars, and buses driving through. If you’re driving, park nearby and walk. You’ll have a much better experience.
  • Visit later in the evening to avoid some of the crowds. I got there at 8:30 PM on a Saturday, and while it was crowded around the most popular houses, it got less busy as the evening went on. After 10:00pm, it was much quieter.
  • Go on a weekday if you can. Weekdays are generally less busy than weekends, and the neighbourhood gets particularly busy when children are out of school during the winter holidays.
  • Dress warmly. It’s winter in NYC, and temperatures can drop below freezing. It takes about two hours to explore the neighbourhood, so you’ll spend a lot of time outside.

Christmas Lights at Dyker Heights FAQs

Can You Drive Through Dyker Heights Christmas Lights?

Yes, you can drive through Dyker Heights, but I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s too chaotic with the crowds of people walking, cars, and buses driving through the neighbourhood.

Driving is a great way to explore the United States, and most things on a NYC itinerary are easily accessible by car, but this isn’t something you want to drive through.

How Long Does It Take to Walk Through Dyker Heights Christmas Lights?

It takes 1.5-2 hours to explore all of the Dyker Heights Christmas lights map. Some people spend more time, some spend less, so it’s up to your pace and how often you stop for photos.

Can You See Dyker Heights Lights Without a Tour?

Yes, you can see the lights at Dyker Heights without a tour. While guided tours (like my favourite Maid of the Mist tours in the summer) are convenient and provide more local insights, Dyker Heights is one of those places you can explore by yourself.

Is Dyker Heights Lights Free?

Yes, Dyker Heights Lights is free. There is no admission fee to walk through the neighbourhood and see the Christmas displays, making it one of the best free things to do in NYC during the winter.

So, Is Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Worth It?

Yes, Dyker Heights Christmas lights are worth it. There’s so much magic in the air around Christmas, and Dyker Heights is home to some of that magic.

While not all are lit up, most are. Some have music, one house even had fake snow when I went, and some houses are openly raising money for charity. Explore between 11th to 13th Avenues and between 82nd to 86th Street for the best houses.

I missed Dyker Heights during my first time spending the holidays in NYC, but I made sure not to miss it the second time. I honestly wished I had gotten to see it twice.

Overall, Dyker Heights is a must-do if you’re in NYC around Christmas. It’s completely free, easy to explore on your own, and gives you a completely different Christmas experience from the attractions in Midtown Manhattan.

Travelling to the USA? Read more:

Melissa is the founder of My Beautiful Passport. A Canadian who has explored 20+ countries on 4 continents, she enjoys combining soft adventure and affordable luxury. Through sharing her own experiences, travel tips, and destination itineraries, she helps others plan their unique adventures whether it be at the beach, in the city, or in the mountains.