An oversized nutcracker stands guard at the entrance of a decorated Dyker Heights home in Brooklyn, one of several life-size Christmas displays that define the neighborhood’s famous Christmas lights tradition. Photo by Gabriele Holtermann
It’s a sign that the most wonderful time of the year has arrived as thousands of residents and tourists flock to the heart of Dyker Heights to admire the neighborhood’s lavish Christmas light displays – decorations that have attracted attention that rivals that of the world’s most famous Christmas tree in Manhattan’s Rockefeller Center.
The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights phenomenon, centered between 83rd and 86th Streets and 11th and 13th Avenues, traces its origins to the 1980s, when local resident Lucy Spata began decorating her home on 84th Street in memory of her mother, who loved Christmas.
Her over-the-top presentation started a tradition that only expanded over the years. Neighbors soon joined in, transforming the streets into a glowing display of twinkling light installations, towering inflatable Santas, nativity scenes, snowmen and other winter-themed decorations meant to spread holiday cheer.
As the attraction expanded and drew huge crowds — along with concerns about overcrowding, trash and parking — Spata remained unapologetic about keeping the tradition alive.
“If you start paying my mortgage, I’ll stop. If you don’t like it, go on vacation from December 1 to January 2 because it won’t stop,” she said Brooklyn paper in 2023. “My husband passed away and made me promise that it would continue and vice versa. I told him that if anything ever happened to me, I wanted it to continue. My children also know that when I am gone, I have to make sure this house is decorated.”
Today, some homeowners invest tens of thousands of dollars each season, often hiring professional decorators to design, install and maintain displays.
Last weekend’s snowfall added to the wintry wonderland’s charm, as crowds of visitors (some arriving with guided tours) strolled through the neighborhood Monday evening to admire the displays. Many were able to warm up with hot chocolate purchased from Dyker Heights homeowners, who set up stalls outside their homes selling hot chocolate, snacks and Dyker Heights Christmas Lights graphic T-shirts. The lights are privately financed and installed by homeowners – although some hire professional decorating companies – turning otherwise quiet residential streets into vibrant seasonal landmarks.
Sue and Ched Hall, from Livermore, California, were visiting their daughter and son-in-law, who live in Manhattan, and made the trip to Brooklyn to see the lights.
“We are visiting our youngest daughter and son-in-law, who live in Manhattan. We have wanted to do this since we heard about it years ago. So here we are,” Sue said. “In Southern California, there are neighborhoods doing similar things, but not like this. This is really beautiful.”
In addition to the dazzling decorations, the couple also took in the neighborhood’s architecture.
“It’s a great way to see the beautiful architecture in the neighborhood because you probably wouldn’t get there otherwise. It’s just a forgotten gem in Brooklyn,” Ched said.
South Korean tourists Min Soo, Ben and Sarah stopped to take photos of each other in front of one of the most elaborately decorated houses. They told Brooklyn Paper that the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights are well known in South Korea, largely through social media, and that many South Koreans hope to visit the attraction.
“Most Koreans live in apartments, so we can’t decorate like this. It’s very interesting to look at these streets. All these streets are decorated with beautiful lights,” Sarah said.
“Every Korean wants to come here,” Min Soo added.
Eleven-year-old soccer, or football, content creator Brody from London, England – who goes by the Instagram handle WinnerLilB – said he heard about the lights on TikTok. Brody, who has over 400,000 Instagram followers and recently signed on as a content creator for Striveran abuse-free, football-focused social platform, said he was keen to see the world-famous displays in person.
“It’s incredible because there’s nothing like it in London, and it has such a Christmas atmosphere, and everyone is happy here,” Brody told Brooklyn Paper. “So it’s great to be here, and I’m really excited to see all the houses.”
His friends Joseph and Ryan were equally impressed, noting that holiday decorations at home are often much more modest: People might just decorate them with a few lights.
“You don’t get this back home in England to the extent you went here,” Joseph said. “And so every house is unique. At home everything is pretty uniform. Everything is pretty much the same. But everything here is unique. It’s incredible.”
Are you planning a trip to see Dyker Heights’ famous Christmas lights this year? Here’s what you need to know.
What are the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights?
The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights refers to the elaborate and extravagant display of Christmas decorations installed by homeowners in the Dyker Heights neighborhood of southwestern Brooklyn. Displays often include enormous light installations, animatronic figures, religious scenes, inflatable boats and custom-made decorations that cover entire houses, lawns and roofs.
Although decorations appear throughout the neighborhood, the best-known displays are generally found along 10th through 13th Avenues, between 83rd and 86th Streets.
When is the best time to visit the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights?
Most houses are illuminated in late November or early December, with the displays typically remaining on until Christmas and sometimes into early January. The busiest nights are the weekends in mid-December, especially between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM, when the crowds are the greatest.
Weekday evenings tend to be less crowded, making them a better option for visitors looking for a quieter experience.
Is it free to watch?
Yes. The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights are completely free and open to the public. Visitors simply walk through the streets of the neighborhood to admire the displays. However, during the season there are some commercial tour buses in the area, offering guided experiences for a fee. Many homeowners also sell merchandise, food and hot chocolate.
How do you get there?
Dyker Heights is accessible by public transportation, but walking is necessary. Common options include taking the R train to 86th Street or the D train to 79th Street, followed by a 10-15 minute walk to the heart of the displays. Drivers should expect limited parking and heavy traffic during peak hours.
What should visitors take into account?
Because Dyker Heights is a residential area, visitors are encouraged to be respectful. This means staying on sidewalks, not blocking driveways, keeping noise levels down and avoiding violations.
Local officials, community leaders and the NYPD regularly remind visitors to dispose of waste properly and be considerate of the year-round residents who live nearby.
Josephine Beckmann, district manager for Community Board 10, is working with the mayor’s office to deploy additional resources to address residents’ concerns, including more trash cans and traffic control.
“We do ask that everyone be aware that it is a residential community,” Beckmann told the Brooklyn Paper in 2023. “We just want to make sure everyone can see it and enjoy it.”
Editor’s note: A version of this story originally appeared in Brooklyn Paper. Click here to see the original story.
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