Dyker Heights Christmas Lights: the best NYC experience
The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights are one of New York City’s most iconic holiday displays. Every year, thousands of visitors head to this Brooklyn neighborhood to see some of the most impressive Christmas decorations in the city.
Giant nutcrackers, glowing reindeer, and dazzling lights cover the homes of Dyker Heights from late November through the end of December. It’s one of the best Christmas experiences in New York, and one of the most photographed.
The easiest and most comfortable way to see the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights is by joining a guided tour. Our Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour 2025 includes round-trip transportation from Times Square, a one-hour walk through the decorated streets with a local guide, and an additional stop in DUMBO to enjoy skyline views after dark.
Each guest also receives a voucher for a free hot chocolate to redeem at Bryant Park Winter Village, available to enjoy whenever you like. Since the tour ends right there, it’s the perfect way to wrap up your evening.
Along the way, our guides share local tips to help you make the most of your Christmas in New York. With more than 13,500 clients only last year, this is the most popular Dyker Heights Christmas Lights tour in New York City.
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What are the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights?
The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights are New York City’s most famous residential holiday display. Every year from late November through December, dozens of homes in this Brooklyn neighborhood light up with over-the-top Christmas decorations. You’ll see glowing lights, animatronic figures, inflatables, toy soldiers, and festive music filling the streets.
This tradition began in the 1980s thanks to Lucy Spata, a Dyker Heights resident who decorated her home in memory of her mother, who loved Christmas. Her display grew year after year and inspired neighbors to do the same. Today, many homeowners even hire professional decorators to keep the tradition alive.
The Christmas lights in Dyker Heights have since become one of the most visited holiday attractions in New York City. Whether it’s your first time or a yearly tradition, it’s one of the best Christmas light displays in Brooklyn and all of NYC.
When do Dyker Heights Christmas Lights start in 2025?
The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights officially begin the day after Thanksgiving. In 2025, that means Friday, November 28 marks the start of the season.
Homeowners in Dyker Heights traditionally turn on their Christmas displays during Thanksgiving weekend. From November 28 to November 30, you can already enjoy the festive lights without the heavy crowds of December. Many New York locals prefer visiting during this quieter period.
Our Dyker Heights Tour 2025 starts on opening night, November 28. This tour runs daily through late December and includes everything you need for a magical holiday evening in New York.
The full experience lasts around four hours. First, we stop in Dyker Heights for a one-hour guided walk through the most decorated streets in Brooklyn. Then we head to DUMBO for a 30-minute stop to enjoy views of the NYC skyline and Brooklyn Bridge.
The tour ends right next to the Bryant Park Winter Village. This central location makes it easy to continue your Christmas night with skating, shopping, or a festive treat. Every guest also receives a voucher for a free hot chocolate to redeem at Bryant Park.
Best time to see the Christmas Lights in 2025
Our Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour 2025 runs from November 28 to December 30. Whether you join at the beginning or end of the season, the experience is always festive and memorable.
To enjoy smaller crowds, we recommend joining a tour between Monday and Thursday. Weekends tend to be busier with both tourists and locals. However, the Christmas lights in Dyker Heights remain just as impressive every day of the week.
Another great tip is to book your visit for either late November or late December. These periods are usually less crowded, while the neighborhood is still fully decorated for the holidays.
While many companies continue their Dyker Heights tours into January, we choose to end our tours on December 30. This ensures the highest quality for every guest. Based on years of experience, many homeowners begin turning off or removing decorations after the end of the year. Continuing tours into January often leads to disappointment, which is why we do not offer them after that point.
Throughout the tour, our expert guides will also share local tips to help you plan the rest of your Christmas in New York vacation.
Where to see the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
The best place to see the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights is in Brooklyn, between 83rd and 86th Street, from 11th to 13th Avenue. This is the heart of the neighborhood, where homeowners create the most extravagant Christmas displays, with glowing lights, giant inflatables, moving decorations, and festive music.
The most famous houses are found around 84th Street and 12th Avenue, including the original home of Lucy Spata, who started the tradition in the 1980s. Decorations are usually turned on from sunset until 9:00 PM, though displays may run later on weekends.
While the lights extend across several blocks, this core area offers the most impressive displays and the biggest crowds. Our guided tour makes it easy to explore the best streets without stress. You’ll see the highlights, learn the history, and enjoy the experience without worrying about directions or parking.
How to get to the Dyker Heights from Manhattan
Getting to the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights from Manhattan is possible, but not recommended, especially during the busy holiday season. Dyker Heights is a quiet residential area in Brooklyn, far from tourist zones and subway hubs. The closest subway stations are over a mile away, and the ride from Midtown involves transfers and takes around 90 minutes each way. After dark, walking from these stations through unfamiliar streets is not ideal, especially for families or visitors new to New York.
Taking a taxi or Uber costs upwards of $70 each way and can take over an hour in traffic. Driving yourself is also extremely difficult. The NYPD actively monitors the area throughout December, and you are not allowed to slowly drive through the decorated streets. Traffic is strictly controlled, and stopping is not permitted. You’ll need to park several blocks away, and legal parking is extremely limited.
Even if you do manage to get there, navigating the area without guidance during crowded evenings can be confusing and frustrating. Streets are packed with pedestrians, and there are no restrooms, food options, or services nearby.
For all these reasons, we strongly recommend joining our guided Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour, which offers a safe, smooth, and fully planned experience from start to finish.
Why choose our Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour
Joining our Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour means choosing a smooth, high-quality, and fully curated experience. We are not a reseller or booking platform, you always book directly with us. That means real support, personal service, and a small team that cares.
The owners of the company are present at every check-in to greet guests in person. We’re always available to help before and after your tour.
Here’s what makes our tour truly different:
You book directly with us, no intermediaries or hidden fees.
We’re easy to reach, with real customer service and fast communication.
The owners of the company personally welcome every guest at check-in.
We offer a flexible cancellation policy: free up to 72 hours, or up to 24 hours with a premium booking.
You can choose between a comfortable coach bus or a luxury minivan. Only we offer this luxury upgrade option.
All our vehicles are top-quality, first-class options. We never cut corners on transportation. We partner only with New York’s most trusted transportation companies.
Every driver speaks English, is friendly, and knows the city inside and out. You feel safe from start to finish.
Our tours take place rain or shine. Once you’re booked, the experience is guaranteed.
We end our season on December 30 to ensure the highest quality before decorations begin coming down.
All tours are led by licensed NYC guides who share real stories, never a script or a recording.
You’ll also enjoy a stop in DUMBO for unforgettable night views of the Manhattan skyline.
At the end of the tour, you receive a free hot chocolate voucher to enjoy at Bryant Park Winter Village.
This is not just transportation to Brooklyn. It’s a full Christmas experience, created with care, attention, and true New York spirit.
Is the Dyker Heights Tour 2025 good for families?
Yes, the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour is a great experience for families and for all types of visitors. In 2024, our team at My Christmas in New York welcomed more than 13,500 guests. Families with children, solo travelers, couples, and groups of friends all joined our New York Christmas tours.
For the 2025 season, we operate the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour using two types of vehicles: Coach bus (max 54 passengers) and luxury minivan (max 22 passengers). The itinerary is the same for all groups. Each tour departs from Times Square and includes two fully guided stops. One hour in Dyker Heights and 30 minutes in DUMBO.
No matter which vehicle you choose, you’ll be accompanied by one of our expert guides from start to finish.
This New York holiday lights experience is designed for comfort, convenience, and festive fun. If you’re traveling with kids or older family members, our tour provides a stress-free way to explore Dyker Heights and Brooklyn’s most magical Christmas displays.
You can contact our team any time via WhatsApp, Email or on Instagram at @MyChristmasinNewYorkCity. For reviews, check our dedicated page here or the pinned post on our Instagram profile.
Is the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour worth it?
Yes, the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour is absolutely worth it, especially if you’re visiting New York during the holiday season. The lights in Dyker Heights are one of the most impressive Christmas displays in the city, and getting there on your own can be stressful and time-consuming.
Our guided tour takes care of everything: comfortable round-trip transportation, licensed local guides, a smooth itinerary, and great photo stops. You’ll visit both Dyker Heights and DUMBO without worrying about parking, subway delays, or navigating unfamiliar streets at night.
If you want a safe, easy, and joyful way to experience one of New York’s most festive traditions, our Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour 2025 is the best option.
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour 2025: What’s included
Our Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour is more than just a transfer. It’s a complete New York Christmas experience. Here’s what’s included:
Round-trip transportation from Times Square to Bryant Park Winter Village
Choice between luxury minivan or spacious coach bus
A fully guided 1-hour walking tour in Dyker Heights
A 30-minute stop in DUMBO to enjoy NYC skyline views
Live narration from licensed NYC tour guides, no script, no recordings
A voucher for free hot chocolate at Bryant Park Winter Village
Direct booking with our team, no middlemen, no confusion
On-site welcome by the company owners at every check-in
Free cancellation up to 72 hours (24 hours with premium option)
Tours run rain or shine, always as scheduled
We take care of every detail, so you can focus on enjoying the magic of Christmas in Brooklyn.
Tips for taking the best Christmas photos
Want to capture the perfect Dyker Heights Christmas Lights photos? Here are a few helpful tips to make sure your shots stand out:
Visit during weekdays to avoid big crowds in your photos
Use “night mode” or manual settings for low light, avoid flash
Arrive with a fully charged phone or camera battery
Shoot from across the street to capture full house displays
Include people or details (like wreaths or inflatables) for scale
Don’t rush, take your time to find the right angles
Ask our guides for the best photo spots, some are even professional photographers and know all the hidden corners
Use the DUMBO skyline stop to get a stunning contrast between city lights and holiday lights
Some of the most photographed houses in Dyker Heights are on 84th Street near 12th Avenue, so be ready there!
Join our Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour 2025
If you’re visiting New York during the holiday season, don’t miss the chance to see the city’s most famous Christmas lights. Our Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour 2025 takes care of every detail, from transportation to timing, so you can simply enjoy the experience.
Starting from Times Square, the tour includes a fully guided walk through the decorated streets of Dyker Heights, followed by a scenic stop in DUMBO for skyline views of Manhattan at night. The tour ends at Bryant Park Winter Village, placing you right in the heart of New York’s holiday magic.
Whether you’re traveling as a couple, a family, or with friends, our comfortable coach buses and luxury minivans offer the perfect way to explore Brooklyn’s Christmas lights without the stress of planning. Weekday departures and early or late-season dates are ideal for avoiding large crowds.
With over 13,500 happy guests last year, our tours are the most trusted and successful holiday lights experiences in New York City. We’re a small team, and we personally welcome every guest. From free hot chocolate to live storytelling from local guides, everything is designed to make your holiday in New York unforgettable.
Book your Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour 2025 now and let us show you the very best of Brooklyn at Christmas.
Author: Written by Dora Formica on behalf of My Christmas in New York
