Forty years ago, a Brooklyn woman strung up some Christmas lights in honor of her late mother, and a neighborhood tradition was born.
Today, Dyker Heights is home to some of the most over-the-top holiday displays on the planet, and this season there’s an easy way to see them without figuring out the trip yourself.
The lights are expected to start switching around Friday, November 27, the day after Thanksgiving (but is yet to be confirmed).
Each homeowner flips the switch on their own schedule, though, so the blocks usually aren’t fully glowing until early December.
A guided evening tour now pairs Brooklyn’s famous Christmas lights with a stop at Bryant Park’s Winter Village, all in one night, with a subway ride (and plenty of NYC history) in between.
27 November 2026 16:30 + more dates
Bryant Park
Combining two of NYC’s most iconic holiday traditions seems absolutely unthinkable, but this experience takes the thinking out of the logistics.
Here are all the details about this secret hack and how to get tickets before they completely sell out before the end of the month.
How Dyker Heights became Christmas central
It all started in 1986, when Lucy Spata began decorating her home to honor her mother, who loved the holidays, according to Brooklyn Paper.
Her displays grew bigger every year, and before long the neighbors joined in.
Fast forward four decades, and these few blocks have become one of NYC’s most beloved holiday traditions.
Think giant nutcrackers, towering Santas, carousels and houses glowing from the lawn to the rooftop.
Some families even hire professional decorators who charge up to $15,000 a season, the Wall Street Journal reported, and one longtime tour operator told the paper the crowds have grown from about 100,000 people a season to 400,000 or more.
First stop: Bryant Park’s Winter Village
So you want to see them for yourself? Let this experience guide you!
The tour kicks off in Midtown at the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park, which is celebrating its 25th season this year.
It’s home to NYC’s only free-admission ice rink, a 17,000-square-foot sheet of ice surrounded by more than 180 holiday market vendors selling everything from handmade gifts to hot chocolate.
Then, down to Brooklyn by subway
From there, your guide takes the group underground for the ride to Brooklyn, sharing stories about the city’s subway system (and maybe catching a performer or two) along the way.
Once you arrive, you’ll wander the glowing blocks of Dyker Heights, including the Spata house that started it all!
Good to know
- When: daily at 4:30 pm during the holiday season, meeting outside 1001 Avenue of the Americas (just steps from Bryant Park). Arrive 15 minutes early to check in.
- Price: $59.99 for adults and $49.99 for kids, with children under 2 free.
- Included: an English-speaking guide and your round-trip subway fare.
- Heads up: there’s a fair amount of walking, so wear comfy shoes and dress warm!
Since the tour runs all season but the lights don’t switch on until after Thanksgiving, book a date from late November onward, and aim for December if you want to see every house lit. Grab your tickets here.
Prefer to explore on your own? Our complete guide to the Dyker Heights Christmas lights has everything you need to plan the trip.
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