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Dyker Heights Christmas Lights (Visitor’s Guide)

ByMelissa

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights in Brooklyn is an incredible Christmas festivity and a must-see in New York around the holidays.

Dyker Heights is one of the most extravagant neighbourhoods, with grand houses decked out in Christmas lights, inflatables, music and hot chocolate throughout. I first visited Dyker Heights Christmas Lights the week of Christmas, and it was the best way to get into the holiday spirit. My favourite was the one with fake snowfall!

Let’s get right into everything you need to know about Dyker Heights NYC Christmas Lights, including how to visit them, the best streets, and how to get there.

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Where is Dyker Heights Christmas Lights?

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights is in a neighbourhood in Brooklyn, New York, that stretches from Dyker Heights Blvd (11th to 13th Avenues) to 83rd and 86th Streets.

Dyker Heights is approximately 22.5 km (14 miles) from Rockefeller Center and 24 km (15 miles) from NYC Central Park. It takes about an hour via public transportation to get to the start of the Christmas Lights at Dyker Heights. 

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, and there’s no official Dyker Heights Christmas lights schedule telling people to put up Christmas lights by an exact date. Not all houses have Christmas lights, and some put up lights and take them down on a different schedule than others.

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 Dyker Heights Christmas Lights

The best Christmas lights at Dyker Heights are between 11th to 13th Avenues and between 82nd to 86th Street. Not every single house is lit up, but most are on those avenues and streets. 

You’ll know you are on the best streets when you see more people. Crowds form outside the most beautiful houses or ones with more unique and interactive displays. I enjoyed wandering aimlessly down the best streets to see what I would find. 

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 have to find parking a few blocks away and walk to the neighbourhood from there. Street parking is limited and competitive, so you may have to wait for someone to come back to their car or park further. I ended up finding parking at 13th Avenue and 81st Street.

Bus/Public Transportation

The next best way to see Dyker Heights Brooklyn Christmas lights is to take the subway and walk about a mile from the subway 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 Av, so it’s just a 20-minute walk to 10th Av and 86th.

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour

If you don’t want to deal with navigating or are short on time, you can book a Christmas Lights tour of Dyker Heights. Here are the ones I recommend:

Visiting Tips for Dyker Heights NYC Christmas Lights

  • Do not drive through Dyker Heights NYC Christmas lights. 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 better experience.
  • Most lights stay on all night, so the best time to visit is late at night (past 10:00 PM) to avoid the crowds. I got there at 8:30 pm on a Saturday, and while it was crowded at popular houses, it got less busy as it got later.
  • Weekdays are also less busy than weekends, and it gets busier when children are out of school during the winter holidays (which begins a week or so before Christmas).
  • Dress warmly. It’s winter in NYC, and temperatures can drop below freezing. It takes almost two hours to explore the whole 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 you shouldn’t. It’s too chaotic and difficult to navigate with the crowds of people walking.

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. It’s actually one of the best free things to do in NYC in the winter.

Final Thoughts: 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 it during my first time spending the holidays in NYC but I made sure not to miss it the second time. I wished I got to see it twice.

Overall, it’s one of the most festive experiences and a must-do activity if you’re in NYC around Christmas.

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Melissa is the founder of My Beautiful Passport. A Canadian who has explored 15+ countries on 4 continents, she enjoys combining 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.