Scenes from the 2023 Dyker Heights Christmas Lights

A visit to some of the neighborhood's wildest houses, decked out for the annual holiday celebration

Brooklyn’s most way-over-the-top Christmas tradition kicked off in typically splashy fashion this past weekend as thousands of revelers — from all over the world — descended upon the normally quiet enclave of Dyker Heights to marvel at the astounding lengths many homeowners here go to to celebrate the season.

There are millions of actual lights on display, of course, but enormous inflatables and plastic statues of all sorts of characters, some traditional to the holiday (Santa, Rudolph, baby Jesus), some not (Cookie Monster, Mario, baby Yoda), are often also packed onto every square of lawn or stoop, making for irresistible selfie bait. Carols blare, fake foamy snow gets blasted over everyone and large, bussed-in tour groups fight for space on the narrow sidewalks.

Photo by Scott Lynch

“I think it’s awesome, and really cool that the neighborhood comes together to do something like this,” Williamsburg resident Zach Miller told Brooklyn Magazine on Saturday. “I’m surprised at how many people are here though, especially this early in December. I thought we would be beating the crowds by coming this weekend, but that is definitely not the case.”

Photo by Scott Lynch

Some folks were less impressed. Pablo Cruzas, visiting here from Spain, was quick to remind us that his hometown of Vigo has “the most Christmas lights in all the world. The joke is that from New York City you can see the lights of Vigo, so this is nothing.” Gauntlet thrown down!

In addition to all the decorations, commerce plays an increasingly large role in the experience. Ice cream trucks prey on restless children, roving carts hawk all kinds of blinking crap, and at least a half dozen Dyker Heights residents set up cannoli and hot chocolate stands outside their homes.

Photo by Scott Lynch

Mostly, though, the spectacle exists as a free, fun, festive excursion.

“The whole thing is crazy but nice,” said Anthony Costanza, who moved to Dyker Heights three ago and has participated each season since. “I love to see all the people smiling and being happy. It’s a happy time of year.”

The boundaries are fluid, but the basic Dyker Heights Lights viewing area is between 82nd and 85th Streets, and 11th and 13th Avenues. It’s an easy 15-minute walk from the D train at 79th Street.

Here are a few more highlight’s from this weekend’s visit.