We love the festive air in our city during Christmas season. Rockfeller Center and its surrounding areas are so magical in their illuminated glory. But they tend to be too packed with tourists that as locals we tend to shy away. Instead, we head to Dyker Heights, a quiet neighborhood in Brooklyn that comes alive during the holidays. The lovely, fine homes are decked with extravagant display of lights, giant Santas, angels, twirling nutcrakers, dancing elves, inflatable and motorized figures, etc, Join us on our walk in the neighborhood and be in awe of its elaborate Christmas displays.
We don’t know how this grand neighborhood tradition started but our guess is that it evolved in an effort to outdo each other’s display just like how they try to outdo the size of each other’s houses. The neighborhood not only goes all out on Christmas displays but on Easter and Halloween displays as well.
Apparently, the Christnas Light extravaganza of Dyker Heights is no longer a locals’ secret. During our walk around the neighborhood we saw a tour bus unloading visitors.
- Dyker Heights is located approximately 14 miles south of Midtown Manhattan. Nearest subway is D train to 18th Avenue. It’s almost a mile walk to the site from the station. It’s more convenient to drive if you have a vehicle.
- The most impressive displays are concentrated on 11th Avenue to 13th Avenue and from 83rd to 85th Street.
- The lights start going up after Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday of November) and goes out in January after the Day of Epiphany.
- We found this link that may make it more fun and easier for out-of-towners to get to Dyker Heights: A Slice of Brooklyn, advertised as “The only guided bus tour of Brooklyn’s famous Christmas lights!” The 3.5 hour tour includes a visit to a pastry shop for a cannoli and hot chocolate.
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Linking to Noel Morata’s Travel Photo Discovery and Nancie McKinnon’s Travel Photo Thursday. Check them out for more interesting travel links.
Merry Christmas!
Muza-chan recently posted..A Japanese Song per Day: Shazna – White Silent Night
Thank you, Lilli! Merry Christmas to you, too!
These photos look like from Christmas coke advertisement, so lovely! Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year my dears!!
Agness recently posted..WWOOF Around New Zealand for Under $25 A Day
Thanks Agness! Merry Christmas to you and Cez.
Marisol I didn’t know you guys live in New York! Funny, I just took my little sister and her bf there last night; I’ve gone there every year since I’ve lived in Brooklyn, but I was rather surprised when I saw the two giant tour buses! It’s become serious business, I tell yah!
Antoinette recently posted..Blyde River Canyon and this Week’s Links & Things
Hey Antoinette, we should coordinate our visit next time! I hope you enjoyed your visit with your sister. I know, those tour buses…not sure if they’re good or bad.
Yes, these guys make fun Christmas for their neighbors
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND YOURS!
memographer recently posted..Colour of London
Hi Alex,
Ha! Ha! They surely do! Happy Holidays to you, too!
What a fun neighborhood. Can’t say we something like that anywhere near where I live.
Wishing you and your family a very merry christmas.
Photo Cache recently posted..Merry Christmas!
Thank you! Merry Christmas to you, too!
Wow that was an impressive show and gorgeous homes, I would love to tour in person but your tour was just as spectacular..you guys have an amazing Xmas Holiday and New Year!
noel morata recently posted..Christmas time in Hawaii, Travel Photo Mondays #25
Hi Noel, thanks Noel. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.
This neighborhood really goes all out with their decorations. I wonder what kind of Easter décor they put up since I don’t know that I’ve seen people decorate their yards for that occasion.
Michele {Malaysian Meanders} recently posted..Selamat Hari Natal!
Hi Michelle, on Easter they have lots of giant bunnies and colorful eggs and beautiful spring flowers. I have to make note to visit and take photos and so maybe I can show you.
Hi M & K, beautiful photos! Thanks to the extravagant lifestyle of the Dyker Heights residents, others get to enjoy a very festive atmosphere in their neighborhood. I’m yet to make it there. I have to tag along with you next year.
Hi Kirs, thanks! Sure, we’d love to have you with us next year:)
This is an absolutely awesome display of lights, festivities and huge power bills (ha, ha)! My best buddy and I were just relating a story to each other about the immense lack of beautiful Christmas lights this year in Reno. This community could take a smack up the forehead lesson from the job that Dyker Heights accomplishes! Amazing photos and thank you so much for sharing, Marisol! A very Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Mike recently posted..My Golden Retriever, Phoenix, Countersurfing A Banana
Hi Mike, thanks! Huge power bills indeed! Although I heard the past few years they have been turning off the lights at certain time to save on power. I hope they get to adopt solar power the next season:) Happy New Year to you too!
My first thought was “How incredible!” and my second was, “Thank goodness, I don’t live there1” Afraid I am one that would rather look at other’s decorations than do my own. . .I’d have been drummed out of there after the first Christmas. Beautiful photos! Happy Holidays to you~
Jackie Smith recently posted..Traveling the Road Not. . ., well. . ., less Taken in 2013
Hi Jackie, Ha! Ha! In my case, I’m just happy to look at their decorations because I’m just lazy to do my own:) Happy happy New Year to you and Joel.
WOW! Those lights are unbelievably beautiful! I am a Long Island girl and never knew that lights like this were in Dyker Heights.. I have to head over!
Hilary recently posted..Follow Friday Four Fill in Fun Blog Hop – week 143
Hi Hillary, yes you should check it out. The displays are up until first week of January.
Marisol recently posted..New York City: The Christmas Lights in Dyker Heights
What a fabulous display of lights. I love how the community gets into the Christmas spirit though I tom would probably find the pressure a bit much if I lived there! Hope you’ve had a wonderful Christmas. All the best for a great 2014,
jenny@atasteoftravel recently posted..London’s Christmas Wonderland
Hi Jenny, it truly is fabulous. Yes, I can understand the pressure but the residents there seem to enjoy that kind of pressure. Happy 2014 to you, too!
Oh wow so these are people’s homes???? Electricity bill concerns….anyone???
Denise recently posted..The Art of Slow Travel 2013 travel wrap up
Hi Denise, these people are loaded and probably not too concern with the bills. I’m more concern with the environmental impact of the overusage.
You know I sometimes forget with all the traveling you do, you live in NY
I love neighborhoods like these. They really did try to outdo each other. My favorite is that one lined with angels. It makes for a great community effort despite the competitiveness. I wonder how much their electricity bills are. It would be awesome to go trick-or-treating in this neighborhood all decorated. Hope you had a blessed Christmas. Wishing the both of you the very best in 2014. Can’t wait to see where you virtually take us.
Mary {The World Is A Book} recently posted..Our Travel Memories and Adventures in 2013
Hi Mary, it truly is beautiful neighborhood to walk and we really appreciate the festive air they share to others. You have to see the display in person to see how really grand and awesome they are. I’m sure there bills are high but they can afford it:)
Happy holidays & a happy New Year to the two of you! This post made me SO homesick—I love displays and lights and that glittering winter wonderland that is Christmastime. These houses are really decked out and so extravagant, but it’s the right time of year to go a bit over the top and spread the cheer! We definitely didn’t see any of that here in Ho Chi Minh City!
Steph (@ 20 Years Hence) recently posted..Captured Moments: Our 50 Favorite Photos of 2013
Hi Steph,
I sometimes cringe at the thought of the environmeatl impact of the overusage of electricity, but you’re right it’s that time to spread the cheers:)
I’d feel like the Grinch in a neighbourhood like that with my pathetic light display. I am in awe at how much effort some people put into lights – but I must say it always makes me feel good to see the displays as well.
Hope 2014 treats you well and I look forward to reading about your off the beaten path adventures.
Leigh recently posted..Hiking Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale, Arizona
Hi Leigh, don’t worry we are the Grinch as well!:) I forget to mention in the post that these lights are professionally put together. These residents really spend a lot for the display and some company are making good money for it. We really appreciate their effort to spread holiday cheers.
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