New York: Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Guided Walking Tour

Highlights

• Experience the magic of the holiday season on a guided tour of Dyker Heights
• See the best-decorated blocks and homes in the neighborhood of Dyker Heights
• Learn about the history of the neighborhood and the tradition of the lights
• Admire the festive lights and decorations, and take plenty of photos along the way
• Hear interesting local tales and pop culture references from your guide

Description

Experience the magic of the holiday season on a guided walking tour of the Dyker Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn. Admire the extravagant Christmas lights and decorations that have made this neighborhood famous.

Each December, Brooklyn’s Dyker Heights neighborhood becomes one of New York City’s most enchanting holiday spectacles. Known for its extravagant "Dyker Heights Lights," this tradition began in the 1980s and has only grown in popularity and scale.

Originally, a handful of residents began decorating their homes with colorful lights and festive displays, creating a neighborhood tradition that quickly caught the attention of others. Over time, the displays became more elaborate as more neighbors joined in, some even hiring professional decorators to make their homes stand out.

Today, many residents invest upwards of $20,000 each season, transforming Dyker Heights into a magical holiday wonderland that now attracts visitors from all over the world. Spanning roughly 16 blocks, the lights cover large estates and small homes alike, with each residence seemingly outdoing the next.

Some homes are adorned with thousands of twinkling lights, life-sized Nutcrackers, reindeer, Santas, and snowmen, all contributing to a scene straight out of a winter fairytale. The sheer volume of lights and the creativity in design make the Dyker Heights Lights one of the city’s most beloved holiday experiences, creating an atmosphere of festive joy that is truly memorable.

Your guided tour of Dyker Heights will take you through the best-decorated blocks, offering plenty of time to appreciate and photograph the stunning displays. Over 90 minutes, you’ll cover approximately 2 miles (3.21 km) at a leisurely pace.

Along the way, your guide will share the backstory of how this unique tradition evolved and what it means to the community. You’ll learn about the origin of the neighborhood’s name "Dyker Heights," some of the interesting local tales tied to these holiday lights, and even a few pop culture references that have put this neighborhood in the spotlight.