Dyker Heights Christmas Lights & Times Square: Holiday Tour NYC

Dyker Heights' Christmas Lights Draw Thousands: Here's How to See Them Without the Crowds

You're picked up from Times Square on a luxury coach and driven to Dyker Heights, where your guide walks you through Brooklyn's most famous Christmas light displays: millions of lights, professional inflatables, and animatronics spread across entire blocks. You'll see the Empire State Building's holiday light show from the route, have time to photograph the displays, and return to Times Square within 4 to 5 hours. Strollers and small children are welcome, and the fixed schedule means you arrive when the lights are on.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Times Squarepass by
2. Dyker Heights3h

Times Square to Dyker Heights tour

• Explore Times Square holiday atmosphere
• See Empire State Building festive lights
• Travel to Dyker Heights in Brooklyn
• Walk among Dyker Heights Christmas lights
• Return to Times Square by motor coach

The experience

The first thing that hits you when the coach turns onto 11th Avenue in Dyker Heights is the sheer scale of it. Not just one house lit up: entire blocks are wrapped in millions of lights, inflatables the size of cars, and animatronics that move. It started in the 1980s when neighbors began competing to outdo each other, and now thousands of people show up every December to walk these streets. The tour picks you up from Times Square, where the holiday energy is already thick with shoppers and theater crowds, then takes you across the Brooklyn Bridge toward the real spectacle.

Your guide walks you through the neighborhood's most elaborate displays, pointing out the details you'd miss on your own: the history behind why this particular stretch of Brooklyn became the city's unofficial Christmas lights capital, how residents plan these installations year-round, and which blocks tend to draw the biggest crowds. The displays run along 11th to 13th Avenues between 83rd and 86th Streets, and the walking pace lets you stop for photos without feeling rushed. You're not just passing by. You're actually standing in front of these homes, taking in the work that goes into them.

The round-trip transfer on the luxury motor coach means you don't have to navigate the subway with kids, strollers, or bags full of holiday shopping. The coach waits for you, and the timing is built around seeing the lights when they're actually on, so you're not arriving at dusk or leaving too early. Families bring small children in strollers, and there's room for that. The Empire State Building's synchronized holiday light show is visible from parts of the route, adding another layer to the evening without making the itinerary feel crowded.

The whole thing runs about 4 to 5 hours from pickup to drop-off, which is long enough to actually absorb what you're seeing but short enough that it doesn't wear people down. You're back at Times Square with time to grab dinner or catch a Broadway show if that's on your list. Book this if you want the Dyker Heights experience without spending the afternoon figuring out which train to take or where to stand for the best view.

What’s included

• Round-trip luxury motor coach transfer from Times Square to Dyker Heights.
• guided walking tour of the neighborhood's Christmas light displays.
• access to view the Empire State Building's holiday light show from the route.
• time to photograph the displays and explore the main blocks.
• suitable for families with infants and small children in strollers.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 16:30Last departure this season: 4 Jan 2027

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2)

GroupUp to 58

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by GuidedLocal

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Dyker Heights' famous Christmas displays without figuring out the subway or spending hours navigating Brooklyn on your own. The coach handles the transport and the guide handles the timing, so you just show up and walk through the lights.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2).

When do the Dyker Heights Christmas lights turn on each year?

The displays typically light up in early November and run through early January, with peak crowds in December. The tour operates during this window when the lights are on.

How long is the walking portion in Dyker Heights?

The walking tour covers the main display blocks (11th to 13th Avenues, 83rd to 86th Streets) at a pace that allows for photos and stops. The entire tour, including round-trip transfer, takes 4 to 5 hours.

What's included in the tour?

Round-trip luxury motor coach transfer from Times Square, guided walking tour of the Dyker Heights displays, and access to view the Empire State Building's holiday light show from the route.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation to Times Square?

Yes, you'll need to get to the Times Square pickup point on your own. Public transportation options are available throughout New York City to reach Times Square.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The walking pace is leisurely and designed for families and mixed-ability groups, with stops built in.

What if the weather is bad?

The tour operates in typical December weather. Dress warmly and bring layers. The coach provides shelter during transport, and the walking portion is outdoors.

Can I leave the group to explore on my own?

Check with your tour operator about group policies. The guide leads the walking tour, but many operators allow flexibility once you're in the neighborhood.