Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Guide 2025 (2026 Guide) (Advice From a Local)

The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights have been captivating locals for four generations. As a seasoned explorer of this cherished tradition, I’m here to guide you through the mesmerizing displays and festive lights that define the neighborhood during the holiday season. Let’s cover everything you need to know about visiting Dyker Heights for Christmas decorations!

Note from Antonina about 2025 Christmas Itineraries. Some of you have asked if I’ll be offering the custom 4-day itineraries that sold out last year. Sadly, I won’t have the time to make those this year (pregnancy, I tell you), so instead I’m offering the personalized 4 Day Itinerary I created for my own family and friends.

It’s hefty (30 pages to be exact) but it includes non-negotiable Christmas activities and a handful of iconic NYC landmarks you can’t afford to miss if you’re visiting NYC for four days (in addition to personalized restaurant recommendations).

Due to limited time and energy (naps are a daily occurrence around here now!) I’m limiting the guide to 50 sales so that I can personally address snafus and answer questions. You can find more information here.

For more on festive christmas 2025, see our guide to 20 FESTIVE Things to Do for Christmas in NYC (2025 Guide).

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights 2025

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Table of Contents. Visiting Dyker Heights for Christmas Decorations

it 2025
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Guide
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Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (The best neighborhoods for first timers +3 to avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s my favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.

Why Are the it Popular?

The it is a collective display of 100 outlandishly-decorated houses in the Dyker Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn. During the holidays, the neighborhood transforms into the type of place you think exists only in the movies.

The popular holiday attraction is attributed to Lucy Spata, a Dyker Heights local affectionately known as the Queen of Christmas, whose home is always the most extravagantly decorated. Spata takes the holiday so seriously she included a stipulation in her will that her children can only inherit her home if they decorate every year.

Lucy’s contagious holiday spirit spread to her neighbors and before long, others started to join on the fun. Today, visiting Dyker Heights for Christmas decorations is one of the most popular holiday traditions in New York City.

The menu changes, but the quality never does.

Where is Dyker Heights?

Dyker Heights is a neighborhood in southern Brooklyn. Most of the decorated houses are concentrated to six blocks between 10th and 12th Avenues and 83rd and 86th Streets. It takes about 1-1.5 hours to travel to Dyker Heights from Midtown Manhattan on the subway. If driving, parking is available at Dyker Beach Park & Golf Course on 86th Street.

I never get tired of this view.

How to Get to Dyker Heights from Manhattan

The most affordable way to travel from Manhattan to Dyker Heights in Brooklyn is to take the subway (D Train or R Train), the fare is $2.90 each way. Take the D Train to 79th Street or R Train to 86th Street, from there, plan to walk 10-15 minutes to reach the highest concentration of decorated homes.

Come early. Seriously. The crowds hit hard by noon.

Local tip. Here’s something most visitors don’t know. the best time to visit is right when they open.

When is the Dyker Heights Christmas Lighting?

The annual Dyker Heights Christmas Lighting takes place the day after Thanksgiving (November 29, 2024). But… that doesn’t necessarily mean that’s the best time to visit the neighborhood. Since most homeowners decorate the houses themselves (others hire out the service), I suggest visiting the first week of December to get the full experience.

Better still, if your schedule is flexible, time your visit for a weekday to avoid the weekend rush. In terms of timing, Christmas decorations at Dyker Heights light up around sunset (4:30pm) and wrap by 9pm.

Dyker Heights Tours

The Dyker Heights neighborhood association offers official tours of the neighborhood (you can choose from guided walking tours, bus tours and private tours). You’ll get picked up by a shuttle at Bryant Park in Midtown Manhattan and taken directly to Dyker Heights.

Personally, I don’t think a guided tour is necessary to enjoy the Christmas decorations at Dyker Heights. The subway is an easy way to get to the neighborhood and a self-guided tour of the area is more than enough to get you into the holiday spirit!

Tips for Visiting Dyker Heights Holiday Lights

Be Respectful

Neighbors of the Dyker Heights neighborhood go through great lengths to keep the holiday spirit alive (and have the steep electricity bills to prove it!). Be respectful while visiting Dyker Heights for Christmas Decorations and don’t leave any trace. Throw away your trash (there’s plenty of trash cans, no excuse not to), and be mindful of noise levels.

Know About the Food Options

There are plenty of coffee shops surrounding the Dyker Heights neighborhood, and on occasion there will be food trucks parked outside selling everything from hot chocolate to hot meals.

Don’t Drink Too Many Liquids

Learn from my mistake. don’t drink too many liquids before visiting Dyker Heights during the holidays! The reason? Bathrooms are non-existent.

Make Sure to Allocate Enough Time

Admiring the Christmas decorated homes in Dyker Heights takes about 1-2 hours at a leisurely pace. If you’re traveling to Dyker Heights from Midtown Manhattan by subway, allocate 1.5 hours each way.

Planning Tips

What Most People Miss

Visiting New York City During the Holidays

New York City is cold during the winter. Average temperatures in December hover around 44°F. But the windchill makes it feel colder! Read.3 Essential Winter Coats New Yorkers Swear By. Plus these bad boys don’t hurt.

Wear comfortable walking shoes. The subway is an efficient way to get around the Big Apple, both nothing beats seeing the iconic skyline by foot. Read.10 Best Shoes for Walking Around New York City (By Season).

Expect crowds. New York City averages more than 63 million visitors per year, and the holidays are the busiest tourist season. There’s a lot of people wanting to see the same attractions, but as long as you can brace for crowds (and the cold) you should have a great time!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to walk through it?

The time it takes to walk through Dyker Heights Christmas Lights varies, but a leisurely stroll through the illuminated neighborhood typically takes around 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the pace and how much time is spent admiring the decorations.

What are the best streets for Dyker Heights Christmas Lights?

The best streets for Dyker Heights Christmas Lights are generally 11th to 13th Avenues between 83rd and 86th Streets, where many homeowners decorate their homes elaborately for the holiday season.

Can you walk Dyker Heights Christmas Lights for free?

Walking through Dyker Heights Christmas Lights is free of charge, as it is a public display created by the homeowners in the neighborhood who generously decorate their houses for the holiday season.

Can you see Dyker Heights Christmas Lights on your own?

Yes, you can see Dyker Heights Christmas Lights on your own by walking or driving through the neighborhood and enjoying the festive displays created by homeowners during the holiday season.

What time do the Dyker Heights Christmas lights turn on?

The Dyker Heights Christmas lights typically turn on after sunset, around 4:30 PM in December.