Dyker Heights is a neighborhood in the southwest corner of Brooklyn in New York City. It is a residential community with a population of approximately 42,000 residents. Each holiday season, Dyker heights puts on one of the most spectacular displays of lights found in the county. Many homes are dazzled from top to bottom with lights, ornaments, Christmas trees, statues and even live carolers. Many homes in the area have been featured on the ABC TV show “The Great Light Fight.”
When: After Thanksgiving to New Years Eve between dusk to 9 pm.
Where: 11th- 13th Avenue (Dyker Heights Blvd) 83-86 street, Dyker Heights Brooklyn NY
Directions: Train (D train to 79th Street) and (R train to 86th street), both will require a 10-15 minutes walk. You can also drive, however, keep in mind that parking is nearly impossible especially on weekends.
Tours: Here are some popular tours. Click here and here.
Must See Homes:
- Lucy Spata House (1152 84th Street) – The original house to start the Dyker Heights lights tradition
- Community Mayor’s Home (8312 12th Avenue) – Famous for their large collection of blow-up holiday characters.
- Forest of Lights (1134 83rd Street) – Trees decked out with lights making an actual forest of lights!
Self Guided Tour: Follow the walking guide below
Grab a Snack:
- Panino Rustico (8222 17th Avenue), 10am – 10pm
- Villabate Alba (7001 18th Avenue), 7am – 9pm
- Cannoli Plus (6903 New Utrecht Avenue), 7:30am – 5pm
Full Sit Down Meals:
- B&A Pork Store (13th Avenue) is, per its name, a store and market, but the atmosphere is worth not being able to sit and eat, and you can certainly find sufficient ready-made food stuffs to constitute a full meal
- Meze (6601 13th Avenue), come because you like Greek food, stay for the flaming cheese
- Mama Rao (6408 11th Avenue) is a tried and true Italian restaurant. It’s white tablecloth, so prices can be a bit high
- Yemen Cafe (7130 5th Avenue) has another location in Brooklyn Heights
- East Harbor Seafood Palace (714 65th Street) is great dim sum, but like all great dim sum.
Grab a Drink:
- Tryst Lounge is within walking distance of the lights, for those getting there by public transit or their feet
- Homestretch (214 Kings Highway) in Bay Ridge will give you a properly grimy experience
- The Lock Yard (9221 5th Avenue), also in neighboring Bay Ridge, has good eats in addition to a well curated drinks menu.
- The Purple Rose(97217 8th Avenue) is located in Dyker Heights proper. There is a pool table!
- Indigo Murphy’s (7102 Fort Hamilton Parkway) is a local pub and sports bar.
Reminders/Tips:
- Be respectful to others and displays- these people literally dedicate their lives to these homes each year.
- Take lots of pictures but wait your turn.
- Give donations whenever possible, it is what keeps these lights on each year.
- You will be walking a lot, wear comfy shoes and dress warm.
- If you are bringing kids with strollers, be mindful that it gets very packed and crowded.
- If you are driving, be patient. There will be bumper to bumper traffic.
- Go on weekdays to avoid crowds.
- Have fun creating memories.
Let us know if you visit Dyker Heights, we would love to hear about your experience. Happy Holidays!