Great free and fun Christmas activity to do in Brooklyn! If you're taking public transportation, it's a long commute, with D and R as the closest train lines. Between 83rd and 86th St, intersected with 11th through 13th, the Dyker Heights neighborhood are really fun to walk around and admire the lights and take photos. I came with a small cavapoo, and I was happy to help other people (mainly families) take photos in exchange for them helping me take photos with my dog. There were certain spots where there was just a bottleneck of people, and it was impossible to get through with my dog without picking him up and carrying him through the crowd. There were trucks giving out Annie's Pretzels and coffee and hot chocolate. I didn't partake in any of the food trucks, but a lot of people are really inconsiderate and leave trash on people's private properties. C'mon people, these are actual homes, do you want people treating your homes this way? A super fun walk during the Christmas holidays! read more

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This is one of the classics. I'm going with 3 stars because there's confusion about this listing. Most of the reviews are for a general neighborhood phenomenon, not a particular private bus tour. The epicenter is a mile walk from the D or R trains, but the bus service from the R along 86th seems simpler. Be sure your phone is charged; you'll find an incredible assortment of photo and video opportunities. The multi-Santa Spata House at 1152 84th St. is perhaps the most famous. Some of the locals are annoyed about the traffic. No spoilers but further west on 84th there's what might be an amusing quiet protest about this event. Consider the lack of bathrooms before downing any hot chocolate or apple cider. In one post-lights trip I went to the great Chris's Polish restaurant in Bensonhurst; I reckon open-at-night options are more prevalent in Bay Ridge. read more

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Merry Christmas!! Dropped by yesterday and it was packed with tour groups, I got there around 5:30pm so it was not as crowded in the beginning but once it hits 6-7pm, it got really crowded fast. Location on google map is incorrect... you'll have to walk around to find the houses! The cooler ones are mostly on 84th street. If you see a police car that likely means it's a decorated house and they're doing crowd control, feels like a scavenger hunt. Prepare to walk around a lot! read more

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A Brooklyn Christmas Tradition! ... Plan smartly so your experience is more festive and less frustration. Each block in the Dyker Heights neighborhood has a large number of homes decked out in bright lights, festive ornaments and holiday lawn features. It's a spectacle that always draws a crowd. It's well worth it to take in the scenery but just be prepared to deal with the crowds and slow traffic. I've never walked the area but patrolled via the car. If the weather permits and you're fortunate to get convenient parking, I'd suggest hoofing it. There's even a couple of homes selling hot cocoa and treats from their garages. read more

So today is November 30 2025 and the Dyker Heights lights in Brooklyn are back on, better than ever. New creative designs, food and drink trucks all over the place. Fantastic lights show and a lot of fun. Updated the pictures. read more

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Great way to get into the Christmas spirit! Dyker Heights at Christmas is truly something special. The decorations are over-the-top in the best way, with entire blocks lit up by massive displays, music, and festive energy. It feels like walking through a holiday movie set and is perfect for photos and getting into the Christmas spirit. It does get very crowded, especially on weekends. I highly recommend just forking out the money and getting an Uber. Overall, it's a fun and memorable NYC holiday experience. read more

While I rarely venture out to Brooklyn, I finally made the trek out there years after talking about it (and being inspired by Dash and Lily). You can easily get there by the subway and it's about another 15 minute walk to the prime area. The prime streets are from 83rd to 86th between 11th to 13th avenue. This neighborhood is like Christmas on steroids with oversized snowmen, gigantic santa inflatables and decorating every inch with Christmas lights. It's really a sight to see! There are also some hot chocolate, ice cream and food vendors along the way. Keep in mind this is a residential area, so not an area where bathrooms are accessible! Had a fantastic time and really put me in the holiday spirit! read more

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights - Bus Tours Near Me

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I went to Dyker heights back in 2016 and it was fantastic with large area full of Christmas light. Wonderful decorations and attracted so much of visitors. Time fries to December 2024 and I had a friend who visited at this time of the year, so I wanted to impress her during such a celebration time. When we got there, there weren't a lot of houses that has good decoration. Some house just put the light to be ok because they are in the area. Some house didn't decorate at all. Looked so haunted and only few people were walking. I have no idea what happened. Maybe I came too early, but it was a week before Christmas, so should it be more lights? read more

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Iconic Christmas tradition includes a trip to Dyker to see the beautifully decorated lights and decorations within these 6-10 block stretch of Brooklyn. We were fortunate enough to have 6 first timers with us whom relocated from Germany and were blown away with the grand scale of the decorations. Pictures cannot do it's justice so get out there for yourself and enjoy the show. 84 & 85th streets between 11-12th Ave is prime viewing read more

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights - Great photo opportunity - Bus Tours Near Me

Booked the tour on Trip Advisor. Thought it would be fun to go to a local neighborhood and see Christmas lights. Tour picked us up at a random lo location in Manhattan (in front of a liquor store). We made the trip over to Brooklyn. Our tour guide was very disappointing. It was an elderly woman with a heavy accent. She never introduced herself, never told us anything about herself, not even where she was from! She was the wrong personality type to be leading a tour bus. She had little to zero insights to share when the group during the trip. The Christmas lights were pretty and I enjoyed the one hour walk. They had street vendors and food trucks and a everything! On the way back we made a couple stops including the marina by Brooklyn with a nice view of the bridge and Manhattan. Wish we had a different tour guide, tour has potential. read more

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I've been meaning to go to see what the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights were like for years now and this year we finally made it happen. It was so cool seeing so many people experience the magic of it all at once and even cooler seeing the owners of the local residences excluding such holiday spirit! There were folks selling hot chocolate, cookies and popcorn from their garages and even once family running a full-blown snow machine!! I can't believe I've been a New Yorker my whole life and never experienced this till today. Sure its a drive from Oceanside but it's so worth it! read more

I go every year and am never disappointed. We went on the evening of Christmas Day this year. There were a lot of people but we were able to find parking and walk around. There were lots of vendors lining the streets, a hot chocolate/ice cream truck and a smash burger truck which was so messy and delicious. The cheese was everywhere and so worth it! All the homes did not disappoint and were really fabulously dressed up for Christmas. This neighborhood really puts you in the spirit! read more

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights - Another beauty! - Bus Tours Near Me

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Took a few years to catch this beautiful neighborhood holiday lights display, but it was well worth it! You can take the D-R subways down from Manhattan, but you'll end up walking a bit either way. We started seeing random extravagant houses right away. Not knowing the exact location, winging it wasn't working, we had to google. It helps to know what streets are part of the main event. So 83rd-86th btw 11-13th, but there are great houses lit up beyond this rectangle of technicolored chaos. We knew we had found the right place when the streets were packed in like sardines with creeping cars and pedestrians, do-dad vendors & food trucks selling everything from ice cream and hot chocolate to Smash Burgers. Aside from the crowds, which were to be expected, it was spectacular. We had a fantastic time. Highly recommend it!! read more

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Such fun! And our guide , Rob? Was terrific and very conscious about not losing anyone! Great stories and it's a beautiful opportunity to see Manhattan lights at night on the way home! read more

If you want lights to look at during the Christmas season around NYC. No better place than the upscale neighborhood of Dyker heights. Bundle up and plan your walk before hand because it'll probably be cold. read more

Impressive display of lights and knowledge of Dyker Heights. It baffles me that I have not done this until now. Considering I know nothing about this, or where to start, I decided to go on an organized tour. My guide, Robert, was knowledgeable and fun. The whole experience is awe inspiring and beautiful, one house after another looking bright as ever with effervescent life being brought to all who visit. Everyone is welcome, whether you live around the corner, or halfway around the world, everyone should see these lights at least once in their lifetime. The tour is $35, and you can either walk it or bus it, but you can do it on your own for free (donate please - it is strongly encouraged). You start on 86th St but the best houses are on 84th St between 10th and 11th Ave. It ends with a cup of hot chocolate and an optional roast beef sandwich at John's Deli. However, not at the Gravesend location, silly you. Though there are lots of bus stops nearby, you are not quite near the subway, so plan accordingly. Or you can drive around and look if you are lucky enough to have a car. Take in the lights and enjoy. read more

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It was a quick and easy drive from Union county, NJ. We went Christmas Day hoping that the crowd will not be crazy. The parking at the side of the park was full but we were able to find a spot easily because people really come and go. It was a great experience overall but my piece of advise is to around November when it is not too cold to walk. It was around 16 degrees the night we came and although we were properly dressed, removing our gloves to take picture was just not fun. We highly recommend! read more

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During the 2020 holiday season, I checked out the Christmas lights in this neighborhood for the first time. It was a wonderful experience! A small group of friends and I met at the nearest train station then walked over. We stuck to the areas with the most elaborate decorations, which were between 11 to 13th Ave from 83 to 86 St. Each house was more gorgeously decorated than the previous one. I loved all the colorful, glittering lights, Christmas trees, reindeer, snowmen, nativity scenes, snowflakes, Santa's, wreaths and much more. There were 3 houses that stood out above the rest. My favorite had the words BELIEVE & JOY prominently displayed. It also had angels, Santa, candy canes, snowmen, as well as a red seat for great photos. My second favorite house was decorated with white gold glittering lights, clear bubbles, along with wreaths. Such elegance and beauty. Another one was full of nutcrackers, stars, snowflakes, and glittering lights all around. All had plenty of Christmas and holiday cheer. The atmosphere was spirited and enjoyable. I'm glad I had a chance to see all the Christmas lights here. read more

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This was such a fun event! It was our first time here! Came here on a weeknight and this area was definitely bustling! Food trucks everywhere, people everywhere! This is a walking tour, so put on comfy shoes and keep walking! There's a good few blocks that have amazing lights. The kids loved it! The did get tired from walking but it was fine bc icecream fixes everything! There was icecream truck there too! The only issue was parking! Which is kind of expected in a very residential part of Brooklyn! So go earlier before the crowds come in. There were tour buses dropping people off also. And there were also police directing traffic in the area! Definitely worth going on a nice winter night! read more

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What an awesome experience. I cannot believe that I have been living in NYC for 18 years and never checked out the Christmas lights in Dyker Heights. I heard that the lights were not as grand (due to the pandemic) compared to those in previous years. However, this year was a great baseline for me because this means next year will be even grander for me. Overalll, the light reminded me of the scenery from many Christmas movies on the Hallmark channel. The hubby and I decided to rent a Zip car to drive out so here are a couple of tips based on our experience: -Do not go on a weekend because the traffic from Manhattan to Brooklyn was insane. Fortunately, we had an awesome Christmas playlist. -Do not even bother driving down the main strip for parking. Start somewhere near the park to find a spot. Also, I would recommend walking instead of driving through the neighborhood. -Empty your bladder before checking out the lights. Once you start walking through the neighborhood, there are very limited places to use a restroom. Fortunately, the folks at The Outback were very nice and let us use the restroom without dining. Cannot wait to check it out next year!!! read more

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An absolute must-see during the holiday season in NYC. I came here to see the lights for the very first time when I visited my friend who lived in Brooklyn. We spent about an hour and a half walking up and down the streets of the neighborhood just taking in all the amazing displays (I really don't think there's any specific route to follow tbh) - I found it truly impressive that we barely saw any decorations that repeated. Some houses went all out with specific themes as well and even though it was a few days after Christmas, it felt super festive. We went around 8:30 pm and there were still some crowds here and there, especially in front of the more popular/decked out houses, but they were still very manageable (and so much better than the insane chaos seen in midtown/Rockefeller/Bryant Park). Some roads were also blocked off to allow more room for pedestrians. Some houses were also selling hot chocolate/home-made pastries or cotton candy or even light-up balloons, and there were several food trucks (ranging from popcorn to lobster rolls), so bring cash if you're interested in grabbing a quick bite as you snack. Overall, even though it might be a trek to get to Dyker Heights, it was one of the most special nights of the holiday season for me and you're immediately surrounded by people who are all soaking in the holiday spirit. Definitely hope to be back next year - so, so, so worth it! read more

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Great holiday experience amazing all the houses decorated with great holiday spirit, def try to go early bc tons of ppl show up and it's harder to get good pics read more

A visit is must during the holidays and without it I'd say the holidays are not complete!! Everyone participating in this beautiful tradition of decorating their houses surely do an awesome job. Each house literally reminds me of how wonderful Christmas time is and the joy it brings to my heart. There's no fee but can get a guided tour but not necessary though. Definitely plan your trip accordingly as it gets really busy therefore finding parking can be a hassle but should be fine if you park 15-20 mins away. It's a residential area so be mindful of not disturbing the residents and littering on the streets!! Weekends are very busy as I went on a Saturday around 9pm barely had a spot to stand. It was cold so dress warm and be prepared for walking around a lot. read more

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights - Bus Tours Near Me

There is a special meaning for my husband and I, which was the place of our first date, seeing Christmas Lights at Dyker Heights every year. The light is amazingly brilliant and romantic with holiday season atmosphere. It was worth a visit for couples and families. However, the traffic was extremely bad and there would be some street closures, especially for popular houses. Our recommendation is trying to park blocks away and walk into the popular area. read more

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I've lived not too far away from this area my entire life, but this year, I decided to go with the family to check out the lights. I know it get crowded here the closer you get to Christmas--so I tried to come earlier in the season; it wasn't overtly crowded, but you could definitely expect a crowd. So we started on 80th street and made our way up to 84th street before going up toward 12th Avenue. There were many houses that were lit up with decorations and music. When we got to 84th--there was a house that had a Santa to take photos and the homeowner, I presume, was outside handing out candy canes (how nice) You can make your way down 84th--which one my opinion had the best home that were lit up. People are taking photos, drinking cocoa and alcohol throughout the area. In addition, you'll hear cars blasting christmas music and should definitely get you into the holiday spirit. I don't know what took me so long to finally venture out, but it's definitely something every family should do at least once. Happy Holidays!! read more

Amazing displays that kept getting better and better each block. Hot chocolate stations! Some entrepreneur needs to pull up a mobile trailer of port a potties and charge a buck a visit, so many kids (and adults) were suffering from having to go and no places open nearby. read more

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We try to go at Dyker Heights every year during Christmas. Some people chose to drive but I would definitely recommend to walk. To be honest, I would recommend taking a subway/bus because parking is a hassle, unless you park really far. It is a very impressive display of lights- Highly recommended read more

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These lights are I would say becoming world renowned, they have some really pretty lights. With that said the lights and displays are not what really in my opinion steals the show, it's actually the houses themselves. They each have SO much character and they honestly seemed more like what I'd expect to see out in Westchester. All in all this place is definitely unique. Just based off the lights though , I've seen some grander displays in TX this the four stars. read more

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights - This is a great example of a beautiful home that has a perfect display but not grandiose or overly complex in its decor for the holiday - Bus Tours Near Me

There are a few houses that are WAY over the top that make this stand out from other Christmas Lights you may have seen and make the experience worthwhile. The night that we went it was about 10 degrees out, so I'm glad that we drove even though I think that it's probably usually better to walk to get the full experience (there are trucks where you can buy hot chocolate, crowds of people taking photos, some houses even handing things out). We went on the early side the day before Christmas Eve and it wasn't as crazy as I was expecting - I almost wanted there to be more traffic so we would have time to look at the lights more without getting honked at if we slowed down. Not sure it's worth the cost of one of the bus tours from Manhattan though. read more

Wow!! One word says it all...This Christmas I watched many Hallmark Christmas movies. This town turned the Christmas spirit in the movies into reality. What a treat! It was much nicer than I could have ever imagined. My eyes couldn't get enough of the beautifully decorated homes that went on for blocks and blocks. I took several pictures to share. There was a NYPD police car with a loudspeaker telling people not to take pictures and to just Google Dyker Heights. Of course, I didn't listen and took my own pictures. Now others can google my pictures. The pictures don't do it justice. You have to make it a point to go on your own and see it for yourself. I wish every town in America did this for Christmas. I took my 1 year old granddaughter and she loved it as well. It is a great family activity. read more

This is one of the best things to do in NYC at Christmas time!! The houses are all so ornately decorated and they range from beautiful to beautifully tacky but every single one is enjoyable. Not only are they decorated well for Christmas but the houses themselves are beautiful and huge and nice to look at. There are usually hot chocolate/snack trucks around and NYPD to keep everything organized and safe. Some streets are blocked off for pedestrians but most are open since a lot of people just drive the neighborhood. I definitely recommend getting here either early or late, especially if the weather is nice that day. We got there right at 5pm and it was already busy but it definitely got crazier the longer we were there. The 80 streets are the best - 82nd, 83rd, 84th. read more

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How could anyone not have been in the holiday spirit when they were in the midst of and surrounded by the Dyker Heights Community's gorgeous homes adorned w/ decorations + Christmas Lights??!! When I say Christmas Lights I definitely mean it...lights as far as your eyes can see-lol. Large lights, small lights, red, blue, green lights, lights on their porches, windows, steps, driveways, etc. Plenty of it to view and so much more. Yes, you can tell that I am still picturing all of it like it is still the Holiday 2018 Season. Dyker Heights is in Brooklyn situated between Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Borough Park and Gravesend Bay. This community has properties between 79th-86th Street. You can take the train/ various buses and opt to enjoy an entire free independent walking tour. Another option is to go w/one of the private bus companies that charge a per person transportation fee to take their "Dyker Heights Holiday Lights Tour" which is advertised online. People can also drive their own vehicles through each block...either way groups of all ages decide to walk at some point to actually look at everything. We walked the entire way spending most of our time "oohing" and "aahing" and saying "that is so beautiful" just about every 10 seconds from 83rd -86th between 11th to 13th Avenue. Homes galore were everywhere w/sophisticated and elegant Christmas decor. Vendors sold hot tea and hot chocolate as well as hot dogs, popcorn and other goodies to consume while strolling. Visiting once during the Christmas Eve Weekend and again during the New Year's Eve Weekend w/ lovely people, I was blown away by Dyker Heights' festive flair. Many homes had cool lighting as well as ornamental displays that had us stop to stare at it for several minutes to take its beauty in...Also, it got me to do what I enjoy which is to take lots of pictures-lol. Such spectacular statues, Nativity Scenery, Santas, Snowflakes, Elves, Giant Candy Canes, Reindeers, Toy Soldiers, Joyous Signs, etc. It was so nice to see all of the families, friends, couples and especially children enjoying themselves and taking pictures together. Great to have seen a person dressed up like Santa to take pictures w/ the children. Come to Dyker Heights next year around the holiday season to get yourself into the Christmas spirit! read more

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I didn't realize how big the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights have gotten until my husband told me he made an Excel spreadsheet at work for everything that's asked to use our driveway to park and walk to the lights. Yes - I wish I was joking - but this is the sick, sad truth. Now, I LOVE the lights around the neighborhood and enjoy people taking pictures on my porch - but PLEASE - don't pay for a tour; just plan accordingly and do it yourself! The more and more houses decorate with every year, and almost entire blocks are covered in lights. Dyker Heights Lights is where it's at! The police presence is heavier this year than last, which is important. Streets are usually blocked off that make the most pedestrian traffic. B& R Decorators and Di Meglio do an amazing job from one house to the next. Make sure you check the side streets too because plenty of people do their own lights - like we do! People really get into it, and brings neighbors together. Houses of complete shades of blue or white or maybe you prefer to see moving nutcrackers or dancing Santa's. Make hot cocoa at home and put it in the thermos, charge your Canon or Nikon, put on some reindeer antlers from Dollar Tree and go see the lights. Yes, there are food trucks now. Yes, you can buy Christmas light bulb necklaces and other lights from vendors - but again, make it memorable - bring cookies and Christmas outfits with you so you can save some coin. Christmas is expensive enough as it is, so let's do it right! read more

These infamous Christmas Lights of Dyker Heights do NOT disappoint!! I've seen them on the news; I've seen them in the newspapers; people have raved about them endlessly. Well....nothing beats seeing the beautiful lights up close and in person! And I do mean IN PERSON!! No need my take the $50 bus tour where you're seeing all the decorations from behind a bus window. And don't drive either-it's bumper to bumper trying to drive thru these neighborhoods. You've got to get into the neighborhoods and just WALK - this is the best way to go. It is so worth it! If you're lucky, it won't be a cold, windy night. But if it is, just bundle up and go anyway! Please be respectful to the locals! Don't block the streets. Be mindful of traffic. Be mindful that there are actually people who live in these beautifully decorated homes. Honestly, if I lived in this neighborhood, the crowds would drive me nuts! Apparently, this is true for some of the locals also! One local guy could be heard yelling from his car, into the crowd: "Go Home!!!!"....I feel ya, dude, I feel ya!! Hahaha read more

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The second there's a chill in the air, my coworkers start asking me about the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights and the best way to visit. As someone who lives close by, here are my tips: -Do NOT splurge on a bus tour. It's totally unnecessary and expensive for an experience that can be free. -If you are coming in from the city, take the X28 or X38 to the second stop. This will leave you on 10th Avenue which is a great place to start, and express buses are much cheaper than the bus tour. Taking the train will leave you a little too far from the lights (about a 15 minute walk) which can be a bit daunting when it's freezing out. -If you are driving in as many do, do NOT try to park on one of the main blocks. You won't find a spot. Drive a bit further down (think 75th Street to 78th Street) where parking will be a bit easier. You could also try parking an avenue down from the lights (13th or 14th Avenue). -Dining options in Dyker at night will be limited, and the restaurants close by will be PACKED. Try Annabelle's Pastaria (but make a reservation!), or BurgerFi if you are just looking for a quick bite. If you are driving, pop on over to Bay Ridge (a 5 min drive) where you will have more restaurant options like Cebu, Kettle Black, Ponte Vecchio, Chadwick's, and Ho Brah. Again, a reservation goes a long way, especially if you are bringing your family, so be sure to plan where you will be dining in advance. -Bundle up! This is a walking tour with no respite from the cold. If you are taking the express bus in, stop at Dyker Park Bagels first to get a hot chocolate to warm your hands. -Enjoy and stay safe! These blocks are usually very crowded during the holiday season. There is usually some police presence nearby but I'm not sure how they will go about enforcing social distancing (maybe they will limit entrance to each block?). Be patient as the experience may take longer than usual, but if they're still allowing walking tours, it's worth it. Nothing screams 'Christmas' like the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights! read more

Are you looking for a fun, free and festive event to enjoy in New York during the Christmas Holidays?!! Great, I think all New Yorkers should check out Dyker Heights Christmas lights decoration at least once. Where is this all happening? 83rd to 86th St in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn For those who uses the public train transportation like myself; then you can visit by taking the R train to 86th street and then walk about 15 minutes or hop on the bus which is like 7 stops. What is the Dyker Heights Christmas light? This tradition started some time back where homeowners in Dyker Heights decorated their homes with the most spectacular lightening. The best lights are on 11th Avenue to 13th Avenue and from 83rd to 86th Street. However, please take advantage and walk around to see all the display. Told be thrilled! The neighborhood is safe and very welcoming! Folks come all over from world to see the lights. It's worth the travel from the city to Brooklyn. The decoration is usually up after thanksgiving and stay up until New Years! Since there will be a lot of walking outdoors and it's all happening in the winter, I'd recommend dressing with double layers to stay warm! Happy Holidays! read more

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights - Happy Holidays 2018! - Bus Tours Near Me

Nothing puts you quite in the Christmas spirit like visiting Dyker Heights. Especially in the midst of a pandemic, the Christmas lights certainly provide a ray of happiness and lightens up the mood (pun intended). Not every house decorated because of COVID, but there's still plenty to see! The best decorated houses are between 10th Avenue to 13th Avenue and from 83rd to 86th Street. Parking can be a bit difficult but I was able to find parking a few blocks away. You can also take the R, N, or D train, however you'll have to walk about 15 minutes. Make sure to bundle up! I honestly wouldn't recommend the bus tour. It's costly and I had no problem getting around myself. Plus I liked the flexibility that roaming offered. Also, with COVID still around, going with a tour group is not wise and I don't think the residents will appreciate huge tour groups congregating outside their houses. Just a PSA: if you plan on visiting, please wear a mask! The highly decorated houses tend to have many people congregating and out of respect for everyone's safety, let's all do our part. TLDR: Bundle up, wear a mask, and get into the Christmas spirit by seeing some extravagantly decorated houses. read more

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What a spectacle to get you in the holiday spirit! After reading about the Christmas lights in Dyker Heights for some time now, it definitely did not disappoint. The houses are massive and beautifully decorated. It's so rare to see streets and neighborhoods shine so bright in NY unless you're in Times Sq! Some houses had enormous decorations. You can tell which are the main attraction by the large crowds gathering in front and police directing traffic/pedestrians. Went two weekends before Christmas and it was pretty packed, but you can still get great photos. It's quite the train ride (about an hour) from the city + a short 15 minute walk once you're off the subway, but worth the trek if you've never been! read more

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I've live in the city all of my life. I knew about the iconic Dyker Heights Christmas lights, but was too lazy to actually go and see it. Today, I finally crossed this off my bucket list. It definitely lives up to the hype. Most of the houses have displays that are as ornate as the windows at Macy's Herald Square. And now for the negatives. Dyker Heights is about a 20 minute walk from the 79th Street station on the D line (and that station doesn't have elevators). Driving here isn't a much better option. There were as many cars in the area as the LIE. Furthermore, there weren't many restaurants in the area (there were ice cream trucks. I didn't buy anything. I'm assuming that since it's winter, they sold hot cocoa). And if nature calls, you're screwed. There aren't any public restrooms in the area- and it's not a good idea to ask a homeowner if you could use their bathroom. With that said, this is a great experience, but you have to plan ahead. And don't forget to wear a mask. I'm fully vaccinated and received a booster, but I didn't take any chances. Neither should you. read more

WHERE? -- per TimeOut NY "Walk from 11th to 13th Avenues (also known as Dyker Heights Blvd) from 83rd to 86th St." We found the best lights this year on 83th to 85th street, between 10th & 11th avenue. Just spectacular lights and FREE. You can either drive through or better yet, streetside park and walk through. So many cars- better to find parking and do the walk to see these lights up close. Do it at least once in your life. You will be so glad you did!!! read more

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