Dyker Heights Christmas Lights:How to Visit by Private Car
Every December a few blocks of Brooklyn turn into the most famous Christmas lights in America. Here is how to see Dyker Heights without the parking hunt or the long subway ride.
- 01Where the lights areThe best-known displays sit between 11th and 13th Avenues from about 83rd to 86th Streets in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn.
- 02When to goMost homes light up from around Thanksgiving weekend through New Year’s, typically from late afternoon until about 9 or 10 PM.
- 03Why a private car makes it easyStreet parking near the displays is very hard to find in December, and the nearest subway stops are a long walk away on a cold night.
Where the lights are
The best-known displays sit between 11th and 13th Avenues from about 83rd to 86th Streets in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. Homes here go far beyond a string of lights: giant nutcrackers, animated figures and music, many set up by professional decorators.
When to go
Most homes light up from around Thanksgiving weekend through New Year’s, typically from late afternoon until about 9 or 10 PM. Weekday evenings between 5 and 7 PM are the calmest. The weekends before Christmas bring the biggest crowds and tour buses.
Why a private car makes it easy
Street parking near the displays is very hard to find in December, and the nearest subway stops are a long walk away on a cold night. A chauffeur drops you at the start of the blocks, waits nearby, and picks you up at the other end, so you can walk the best streets and skip the rest.
From Long Island or Manhattan
From Manhattan, plan on 30 to 60 minutes each way depending on traffic. From Nassau County, the Belt Parkway usually gets you there in under an hour outside rush hour. Leaving after 6:30 PM avoids the worst of the evening commute.
Combine it with more lights
Dyker Heights works well as the last stop of a lights night that starts in Midtown with the Rockefeller Center tree and the Fifth Avenue windows. Our Christmas lights tour does exactly that, and our Brooklyn Heights skyline tour adds the best views of Manhattan.
Tips for the visit
Dress warmly, wear comfortable shoes and bring a phone battery pack for photos. Be respectful: these are private homes on residential streets. Visit the local cafes and dessert shops on 13th Avenue if you need to warm up.
Groups and families
For families with strollers or groups of friends, an SUV or Sprinter keeps everyone together and gives you a warm place to sit between blocks. Tell us about car seats when you book.
Starting from Manhattan? See how the congestion toll works for trips in and out of Midtown.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Dyker Heights lights free?
Yes. The displays are on private homes and free to view from the street.
What is the best time to visit?
Weekday evenings between 5 and 7 PM, from Thanksgiving weekend through New Year’s.
Can the driver wait while we walk?
Yes. With hourly service the chauffeur waits nearby and meets you at a set point.
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