I first went to and wrote about Dyker Heights back in 2009… and I still get the same holiday excitement every year ✨
Since 2010, I’ve hosted VivereNewYork meetups here EVERY SINGLE YEAR (yes, 2020 included!) to spend an extraordinary day together surrounded by the magic of the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights. This neighborhood truly embodies the Christmas spirit of New York City!!!
Even during the pandemic, the magic never stopped. Homeowners kept decorating to keep the magic alive, ESPECIALLY during such a challenging time.
Over the years, some houses have been sold, and sadly, one of my favorites hasn’t been lit in the past few years. Renovations are finally done, so fingers crossed for its big 2025 comeback! 🤞✨ You can see it at the end of this video I took in 2013 during a VivereNewYork meetup. It’s the house at the very end, the one with the giant Santa and the two carousels that made everyone stop in awe.
✨ Before you dive into the full Brooklyn experience, here are my go-to tools to plan your NYC trip effortlessly:
✈️ Flights: Kiwi / Expedia
🏨 Stays: Booking.com / Vrbo
🚇 Transport: MTA / Discover Cars
🎟️ My Favorite Passes & Activities: Viator
📶 eSIM I use for every trip: Airalo / Yesim
🧳 Travel Essentials
📸 Creator Must-Haves
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What Makes Dyker Heights So Special
Dyker Heights has become the ultimate Brooklyn Christmas destination. Each December, families compete (in the most joyful way!) to create the biggest, brightest, and most dazzling displays in New York.
🎥 Fun fact: In 2001, PBS released a documentary called “Dyker Lights”, revealing the behind-the-scenes dedication of the residents who make this holiday wonderland come alive.
Your Ultimate Guide to the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights 2025 🎄✨
Dyker Heights is THE place to be for Christmas magic. Known for its Italian-American roots, this Brooklyn neighborhood has turned holiday decorating into an art form. Each December, families go all out, some even hire professional lighting crews, transforming quiet residential streets into a glowing wonderland that attracts visitors from all over the world.
My Personal Dyker Heights Itinerary + Map
This is exactly how I’ve been wandering through the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights every December since 2009 – solo, with friends and family, and during our VivereNewYork meetups.
🎁 Feel free to join me for the 2025 VivereNewYork Dyker Heights Meetup (it’s free and open to everyone!), or simply follow this same local-tested itinerary, packed with insider tips, nostalgic stops, and the best Italian treats along the way. 🇮🇹✨
📍635 79th Street, Brooklyn. Start your evening at the Bay Ridge showstopper
Take the R or N train to 77th Street Station, then walk or take an Uber. It’s the perfect first wow-moment to set the tone for the night.
📍Walk toward 84th Street and 10th Avenue.
Don’t worry if you get distracted, you’ll zigzag back through these blocks later to catch every sparkle.
📍Zigzag between 82nd–84th Streets and 10th–12th Avenues.
This area is where you’ll find the most spectacular Dyker Heights Christmas Lights, from life-size Santas to musical reindeer.
📍Stop at La Bella Marketplace (79th St & 13th Ave)
Stock up on Italian-imported goodies like panettone, torrone, baci perugina… it’s a nostalgic must for Italian expats like me 🇮🇹
📍Grab dessert at Tasty Pastry Shoppe (13th Ave btw 82nd & 83rd Sts)
Their cannoli and Cassate Siciliane are legendary! My dear friends Kathy and Steve (he grew up right here) introduced me to this gem, and now I never leave without a pastry box. Their Christmas popsicles are the cutest! 🎁
📍Pop into JJ Christmas (86th St & 13th Ave)
Family-owned and filled with festive joy I’m obsessed with their holiday clocks and vintage ornaments.
To head back:
Walk or take the B1 bus toward Manhattan Beach Kingsborough CC for 5 stops, get off at 86 St / 18 Av, then hop on the D train at 18th Ave Station.
📍Optional finale (and my favorite!):
Transfer to the R train at Atlantic Av / Barclays Center, get off at Jay St Station, and finish with an authentic Neapolitan pizza at Sottocasa (298 Atlantic Ave). 🍕
I might be biased (my husband Luca is one of the owners 😄), but trust me, it’s really delicious. From there, subway or cab, you’re set for home after a magical night.
🌟 Some of my Favorite Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Displays
Every block in Dyker Heights shines differently, but these are the must-see spots I never skip:
📍635 79th Street: Bay Ridge’s showstopper and one of the neighborhood’s most iconic homes
📍84th St & 10th Ave: A true local favorite with over-the-top decorations (snow-making machine included!!!)
📍84th St between 10th & 11th Aves: A cluster of homes that looks like a Hallmark movie set.
📍84th St between 11th & 12th Aves: You’ll find the famous life-size Nutcrackers and angel displays here.
📍83rd St between 10th & 11th Aves: Picture-perfect homes.
📍82nd St between 12th & 13th Aves: A mix of traditional red-and-green and modern LED extravagance.
TIPS & FAQs for Visiting Dyker Heights Christmas Lights 2025:
- When Are the Dyker Heights Houses Fully Decorated?
The displays typically start lighting up the weekend after Thanksgiving and stay up through New Year’s Eve. If you visit in early December, you’ll enjoy the full sparkle with fewer crowds. By mid-December, it’s pure holiday madness – lol. - What’s the Best Time to Visit Dyker Heights?
✨ For fewer crowds: Visit on a weekday at dusk. You’ll catch that magical twilight when lights start twinkling and streets aren’t packed yet.
🎅For festive vibes: Go on a weekend evening, when you might spot carolers, Santas, and food trucks selling hot chocolate or ice cream. - Is Dyker Height, Brooklyn, Safe?
✅ Yes! Dyker Heights is a quiet, family-friendly residential neighborhood, and it’s perfectly safe to explore day or night.
🚇 I always take the subway. It’s how I get around NYC all year long! The nearest stations are about a 10–15 minute walk from the most spectacular houses, so wear comfy shoes. You’ll see plenty of lights and decorations along the way, but trust me – the best displays are worth the walk!
Local tip: Bundle up! It gets windy, heated vest, hand and foot warmers will keep you warm.
Ready for the 2025 VivereNewYork Dyker Heights Meetup? 🎉
It’s that time of year again, and I can’t wait to share this holiday tradition with you!
The 2025 VivereNewYork Dyker Heights Meetup is FREE and open to everyone who wants to experience the most magical Christmas lights in Brooklyn with an amazing community of NYC and travel lovers.
🗓️ Date: Thursday, December 4, 2025
📍 Meeting Point: A cute café in Downtown Brooklyn, conveniently located near the Borough Hall 2,3,4,5 station and Court St R station. We’ll meet for coffee, matcha, tea (or hot chocolate!) before heading to Dyker Heights together for an unforgettable night under the lights.
🕝 See you at 4:00 PM – We’ll be heading to Dyker Heights together at 4:15 PM sharp
We’ll walk through the neighborhood at our own pace. No buses and no strict schedule, just good vibes, connection, and a shared love for NYC’s holiday sparkle. It’s not an organized tour, so just stay close to the roup and soak up the magic!
Can’t make it this year?
No worries! You can still create your own self-guided Dyker Heights Christmas Lights tour using my map and insider tips above. You’ve totally got this! 💪🎄
The Best Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tours (2025 Edition)
If you prefer a stress-free option, an organized tour is the easiest way to see everything without worrying about parking or directions. I always recommend booking through Viator – they’re reliable, have lowest price guarantees, and if you find the same tour cheaper elsewhere within 48 hours, they’ll refund the difference.
Dyker Heights Brooklyn Christmas Lights Tour
🎟️ From $55 per person (tip not included).
📍 Meeting point: 1651 Broadway, New York – McDonald’s at the corner of West 51st & Broadway, near Times Square.
🚐 Drop-off: Times Square.
👉 You’ll ride comfortably in a shuttle bus to Brooklyn, walk through the most spectacular streets with a guide, and learn the local stories and traditions behind this beloved holiday neighborhood. It’s festive, fun, and super photogenic. Perfect if it’s your first visit.
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Guided Tour
🎟️ From $59 per person (tip not included).
📍Meeting point: 566 10th Ave, New York – corner of 41st Street, around 4 PM.
🚐 Drop-off: Bryant Park around 8 PM.
👉 This one’s great if you want more flexibility. You’ll travel by bus with a restroom on board, stop at the two most illuminated streets, and get a quick orientation from your guide. Then you’ll have about an hour to explore on your own – take photos, grab a cannoli, or just soak in the glow before heading back.
Final Thoughts – The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Are Absolutely Worth the Trip
The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights are truly one of a kind: you’ll be mesmerized!!!
It’s one of those rare NYC experiences that feels magical both for kids and adults. I’ve been here countless times with friends, families, and little ones, and every single person ends the night smiling (and usually asking to go again).
Just remember: it’s a long walk!!! Wear comfy shoes and layer up. Once you see those over-the-top decorations you’ll understand why strolling Dyker Heights is one of the best things to do in NYC during the holidays.
You’ll fall in love with the spirit of Christmas – and with New York City – over and over again ❤️
Save & Share this Dyker Heights Christmas Lights itinerary for your next NYC trip, and discover all its magic.
Will any houses be decorated and lit up Nov22?
the one in Bay Ridge has been decorated for almost 2 weeks now, hope you got the chance to see it!