The 5 Best Dyker Heights Christmas Lights 2024

If you live in Brooklyn or visit New York during Christmas, one of the most popular attractions to enjoy during the wintertime is the Dyker Heights Christmas lights display. Every year around this time, people flock to catch a glimpse of these beautiful lights. Our ultimate guide will tell you everything you need to know about Dyker Heights and their Christmas Lights Festival so that when December rolls around, you have no problem navigating your way through the crowds and enjoying it as much as possible!

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5 Amazing Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tours

Thinking about taking a Dyker Heights Christmas Lights tour? But which Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour is the best? We’ve done several of these tours during the Christmas season and here are our experiences and recommendations.

These are the Best Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tours 2024

You have a choice of several tours – what they have in common is that they start in Manhattan and go all the way to Dyker Heights. Since the streets are too narrow for buses, the guide will lead you through the neighborhood on foot.

What are the differences between the various Dyker Heights Christmas Lights tours? On the way back to Manhattan, some stop at the Brooklyn Bridge, others at Bryant Park Winter Village or at the famous Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center.

Our Recommendation
Best Value

Rating

Rating

Guide?

Guide?

Bus Tour & Walking Through Dyker Heights

Bus Tour & Walking Through Dyker Heights

Duration

Duration

4 hours

3,5 hours

3,5 hours

4 Stunden

Availability

Availability

December 1, 2023 – January 1, 2024

December 1, 2023 – January 5, 2024

December 1, 2023 – January 1, 2024

November 24 - December 30, 2023

Start

Start

YOTEL Hotel
Manhattan

Manhattan

YOTEL Hotel
Manhattan

Greeley Park
Manhattan

Dyker Heights

Dyker Heights

Brooklyn Bridge

Brooklyn Bridge

Bryant Park Winter Village

Bryant Park Winter Village

Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center

Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center

Price

Price

$56

$45

$55

$85

Steffen Kneist Loving New York

My tip

Since the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tours are one of the most popular activities at Christmas time, tickets are often sold out quickly. Your best bet is to directly purchase the tickets in advance online. So, grab your tickets, admire the area around Dyker Heights in Brooklyn and enjoy the holiday spirit to the fullest!

Details on each Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour

Looking for more details? Here we go:

  1. 01

    From Manhattan: 4-Hour Dyker Heights Holiday Lights Bus Tour

    Bus Tour in Dyker Heights
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    One of the Best Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tours : The 4-Hour Dyker Heights Holiday Lights Bus Tour
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    This tour through the Christmas Dyker Heights and Bay Ridge in Brooklyn is one of the most popular and most booked tours at Christmas time in New York. In front of the Row NYC Hotel (45th Street and 8th Avenue) you will be picked up by a bus and drive over one of New York’s bridges to Brooklyn – you will have a wonderful view of the New York skyline. Once in Dyker Heights, you will be guided by a guide through the main streets with the most beautiful Christmas lights. The next stop is the Brooklyn Bridge in DUMBO (about 25 minutes) – the tour ends at Bryant Park Winter Village with the famous ice skating rink. The Dyker Heights tour is guaranteed to get you in the Christmas spirit!

  2. 02

    From Manhattan: Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Bus Tour

    Bus Tour in Dyker Heights
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    This is one of the Best Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tours
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    The Dyker Heights Christmas lights bus tour starts in Manhattan and takes you past Battery Park to Brooklyn – and there to the most famous neighborhood for Christmas lights: Dyker Heights. As with many other Dyker Heights tours, you will be guided through the illuminated streets. What makes this tour special is the stop at the Brooklyn Bridge on the way back. From here you can see the beautiful Manhattan skyline before you reach Times Square at the end of the tour.

  3. 03

    NYC Christmas Lights Limousine Tour - Dyker Heights in Brooklyn

    Other Tours in Theatre District
    This is one of the Best Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tours
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    This private tour with guide and limousine is the most exclusive Dyker Heights Christmas Lights tour ever! You will be picked up at the hotel and then you will start towards Brooklyn. On the way you will see the Brooklyn Bridge and of course the beautifully decorated Dyker Heights.

    Another highlight is the stop at the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. Especially for families this tour is interesting, because you book the limousine (it offers space for 6 people) for you alone!

  4. 04

    3.5-Hour Brooklyn Christmas Magic Tour from Manhattan

    Other Tours in Dyker Heights
    One of the Best Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tours: the Brooklyn Christmas Magic Tour from Manhattan
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    In the Dyker Heights district, countless beautifully decorated houses await you, which could not be more colorful and glittering. The Dyker Heights tour is considered one of the best Christmas tours in New York and promises the typical New York Christmas atmosphere from the perspective of the locals. First you take the hop on hop off bus (pick up at the Empire State Building or Trip Hotel NYC in Manhattan) to Dyker Heights – there you get off and can explore the neighborhood with an experienced guide. 

  5. 05

    From Manhattan: 4-Hour Christmas Lights Luxury Bus Tour

    Bus Tour in Dyker Heights
    This Luxury Bus Tour is one of the Best Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tours
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    The Dyker Heights tour takes you from Greeley Park (33rd Street between 6th Avenue & Broadway, that’s near the Empire State Building) with a luxury bus to Brooklyn, where you can admire the many decorated houses. The next stop is the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, from where you will have a sensational view of Lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge. The tour ends at Rockefeller Center, where you will see the famous Christmas tree!

What Is the History Behind Dyker Heights?

Dyker Heights is a residential neighborhood that was created in the late 1800s by a wealthy housing developer named Walter Johnson. He named his community Dyker heights after the Dyker Beach and Meadow that the development overlooks.

Dyker Heights Brooklyn is charming and historical, with most homes still maintaining the original architecture, all while avoiding influence from apartment buildings or condos desiring to move into this community. In fact, most of the houses on the block are originals.

The neighborhood sits on a hill between Bay Ridge, Gravesend Bay, Borough Park, and Bensonhurst. The area is surrounded by 7th and 14th avenues, Belt Parkway and 65th Street. Due to their Christmas lights tradition, Dyker Heights has become a notable attraction for New Yorkers to visit during the holiday season.

The History Behind Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Festival

There are many stories surrounding the Dyker Heights Christmas lights festival tradition, with the oldest one dating back to the early 1940s. However, the real story began with one of the original residents, Lucy Spata, who decorated every inch of her house on 84th street with Christmas lights in the 1980s. Every year for the next 40 years, they’ve continued to decorate their home, adding something new every year.

When neighbors saw the extensive light displays, they started to decorate their own homes. It slowly grew throughout the neighborhood, with every house engaging in a friendly competition to out-decorate each other. Today, more than 150,000 people visit Dyker Heights every year to enjoy the stunning light displays spanning over multiple blocks.

When To Visit The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights

The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights begin the day after Thanksgiving and run through New Year’s Eve. The neighborhood will start to turn on the lights around sunset every evening and keep them on until around 10 pm.

Although this area becomes more congested with people as you head into the winter holiday season, many visitors feel that going during these few weeks before Christmas provides them with their most magical memories.

It’s best to visit Dyker Heights during the weekday to get the most out of your visit!

This popular attraction is the busiest during the weekend, so try to avoid this time frame if you have the ability to visit on a less-trafficked day.

Insider Tips to Dyker Heights

If you’re ready to make the most of your trip to Dyker Heights, we’ve got you covered. Follow our insider tips below to ensure you’re not missing out on any of the beautiful light displays.

  • While the lights are officially “turned on” the day after Thanksgiving, not every house will be decked out with Christmas displays. If you want the full experience, it’s best to wait until the first week of December to view the Christmas lights.
  • You’ll also want to go after a snowfall since most of these houses consist of bright LED string lights that really stand out against the snowy background.
  • Expect lots of walking and cooler weather when you visit. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and extra layers to stay warm and comfortable during your visit.
  • Most of the homes feature some type of donation box next to the lights display as a way to give back to their communities. Make sure to bring change or cash with you if you plan to support these fundraisers.

Whether you’re visiting the city for a few days or staying here all season, you need to see the Dyker Heights lights to make your holiday experience as cozy and memorable as possible. Check out our top recommendations for Dyker Heights Christmas tours to ensure you have an incredible experience with this yearly tradition.

Enjoy The Dyker Heights Brooklyn Christmas Lights!

FAQ

What Are The Most Popular Dyker Heights Homes To Visit?

Wondering where to see Christmas lights in Dyker Heights? There are many more than 40 houses in Dyker Heights, but the following homes are some of the most popular to visit:

  • Lucy Spata, the original home to start the tradition of the Dyker Heights Christmas lights: 1152 84th Street
  • Forest of Lights: 1134 84th Street
  • Polizzotto Home: 1145 84th Street
  • Frank Mangano House: 1023 83rd Street
  • Community Mayors Home: 8312 12th Avenue

What Kinds of Lights Can You Expect to See In Dyker Heights?

The lights can be anything from figurines on trees to full-blown snowmen. Some follow a specific theme, while others try to fit as many decorations on their property as possible. This makes for a very festive atmosphere that is sure to get you into the Christmas spirit! Plus, there’s nothing better than being able to stroll around with your family or friends while looking up at all of these beautiful displays.

So, no matter what route you decide to take, just know that you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty of the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights.

What time does Dyker Heights Lights start?

The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights begin the day after Thanksgiving and run through New Year’s Eve. The neighborhood will start to turn on the lights around sunset every evening and keep them on until around 10 pm. However, they are most beautiful when it’s really dark – so it’s best to be in Dyker Heights by 7pm.

How Do I Get To Dyker Heights?

Dyker Heights is located in the borough of Brooklyn, New York. There are four ways to get there from Manhattan:

  1. Book one of the guided tours
  2. Take the D train and exit at 18th Avenue station
  3. Catch a bus on Flatbush Ave (you’ll need an MTA card) and take it to Dyker Street stop
  4. Drive your car or use Uber/Lyft

You should expect to travel at least 45 minutes to get to Dyker Heights from Manhattan. This time will fluctuate depending on the route you choose and your start location. Plus, regardless of how you get to Dyker Heights, you’ll still need to walk to view each house.

Profilbild Steffen Kneist
About the author

I'm a true New York fan! Not only have I visited the city over 25 times but also have I spent several months here at a time. On my blog I show you the best and most beautiful spots of the city, so that you have a really good time! You can also find lots of insider tips in our New York travel guide. Also check out my hotel finder for New York!

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