This complete guide to the Dyker Heights Christmas lights was written by Alejandro Beltran, a NYC local and co-founder of New York Simply (an official partner of Apple Maps).
The enchanting Dyker Heights Christmas lights is a captivating holiday spectacle nestled in south Brooklyn, New York. As a seasoned explorer of this dazzling neighborhood tradition, I’m here to guide you through the mesmerizing displays of festive lights, vibrant decorations, and the warm community spirit that defines Dyker Heights during the holiday season. I’ll share insider tips and tricks to ensure you make the most of your visit, navigating the twinkling streets with confidence and delight. Let’s jump right in!
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Dyker Heights Christmas Lights 2024
Table of Contents: Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tips & Tricks
Table of Contents: Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Guide
- Dyker Heights Christmas Lights 2024
- What are the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights?
- When is the Dyker Heights Christmas Lighting?
- Where are the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights?
- Should You Consider Taking a Tour?
- Additional Tips for Visiting the Dyker Heights Holiday Lights
- Fun Facts About the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
- Things to Know When Visiting New York City for the Holidays
- Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Guide
What are the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights?
The Dyker Heights Christmas lights consists of around 100 houses in south Brooklyn, decorated for the holiday season with bright lights, blow up figurines and lawn decorations. The entire neighborhood turns into the kind of holiday wonderland you think are only real in Christmas movies.
Legend attributes this festive tradition to Lucy Spata, affectionately known as the Queen of Christmas, who ignited the phenomenon in the 1980s. Over the years, neighbors joined in, elevating the decorations to extravagant levels. Some residents personally adorn their homes, while others opt for specialized companies, albeit at a steep starting cost of $1,000.
When is the Dyker Heights Christmas Lighting?
The annual Dyker Heights Christmas lighting takes place the day after Thanksgiving, in 2024 the date falls on November 29th. But… that doesn’t necessarily mean that that’s the best day to visit the neighborhood.
It’s important to remember that a lot of the locals decorate themselves, and some elaborate displays can take more than a day to put up. My suggestion is to visit the neighborhood starting the second week of December so you’re sure to get the full experience. I also suggest visiting on a weekday, if possible. There are crowds most days, but the weekends tend to be the busiest.
The Dyker Heights Christmas lighting schedule begins after the sun goes down, which means in December the lights generally turn around 4:30PM. Then when the locals start getting ready for bed they’ll pull the plug, usually around 9:00PM. The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights typically start coming down in early January.
Where are the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights?
Dyker Heights is a neighborhood in southern Brooklyn, and most of the decorated houses are in the six blocks between 10th and 12th Avenue and 83rd and 86th Street. From Times Square in Midtown, Manhattan you can expect a little under an hour-long subway ride via the R-Train. If you’re driving, parking is available at Dyker Beach Park & Golf Course on 86th Street.
Something to note: Regardless of which subway line you choose, plan on a 15 to 20-minute walk from the subway stop to reach the enchanting Dyker Heights Christmas lights.
Should You Consider Taking a Tour?
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights is not just the name of the neighborhood that decorates for the holidays, but also the name of the tourism company founded by its residents. They offer a few options. You can choose from a bus, walking, virtual (welcome to the 21st century!), and private tours.
In full transparency the bus tour works more like a shuttle. Once the bus gets you to Dyker Heights you’ll have to disembark and walk. The benefit of the Dyker Heights holiday lights bus tour is it conveniently picks you up and drops you off in Midtown Manhattan (near Bryant Park’s Winter Village).
My two cents – if you’re leaning towards taking a tour I’d choose the walking tour and just pay the $2.75 subway fare, rather than shelling out the extra cash to get shuttled there. However, for those just looking for a photo-taking opportunity, none of the tours are probably worth it.
Additional Tips for Visiting the Dyker Heights Holiday Lights
Be Respectful of People’s Homes
It’s important to remember that folks live in the houses you’re visiting, and they deserve polite guests. This means throwing away your trash (there’s plenty of trash cans, no excuse not to), being mindful of how loud you are and respecting the residents’ privacy.
Grab Some Snacks
There are plenty of coffee shops surrounding the Dyker Heights neighborhood, and on occasion there will be food trucks parked outside selling everything from cocoa to popcorn. Do yourself a favor and grab something warm, not only will it fight off the cold but it adds to the holiday charm.
Don’t Drink too Many Liquids
Learn from my mistake: don’t drink too many liquids. There are no convenient bathrooms around the Dyker Heights Christmas lights, and you don’t want to have to call it early because you’re doing the potty dance (I did this during my first time at Dyker Heights).
Make Sure to Allocate Enough Time
Walking through the decorated homes in Dyker Heights roughly takes an hour and a half. Plus, if you’re coming from Midtown Manhattan there’s an additional 2 hours of travel round-trip. When visiting Dyker Heights allocate 3-4 hours for the experience.
Fun Facts About the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
- Around 100,000 visitor come to Dyker Heights during the holiday season.
- Some homes have been decorated by the same company for up to 30 years.
- Prices for B&R Decorators, one of the main decorating companies, start at $1,000
- There are more than 100 homes that decorate annually in Dyker Heights
Things to Know When Visiting New York City for 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! When you’re headed to check out the Dyker Heights Christmas lights wear an insulated winter coat, warm hat or beanie, plus these bad boys don’t hurt.
Wear comfortable walking shoes: The subway is an efficient mode of transportation, that you still have to walk a ways to get to theDyker Heights Christmas Lights. You’re going to want walking shoes that will keep your feet dry and comfortable.
Expect crowds: New York City averages more than 63 million visitors per year, and the holidays are the busy season. There’s a lot of people wanting to see the same attractions, including the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights. There isn’t a full proof way to avoid the crowds. To minimize them try to stop by on a weekday.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Dyker Heights Christmas lights typically turn on after sunset, around 4:30 PM in December.
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Guide
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And there you have it folks, a quick run-down of one of our favorite holiday activities.
We hope you found it helpful.
Happy holidays!
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