Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour: Holiday Displays

Street after street of bejeweled houses, nothing like it in New York City.

The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour is a guided bus and walking tour through New York City's most elaborate holiday displays, departing from Herald Square and traveling through Manhattan neighborhoods before reaching Brooklyn's Dyker Heights for a one-hour walking tour of illuminated homes. A live English-speaking guide leads the full route, and the itinerary includes photo stops at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Washington Square Park and Rockefeller Center. Children from age 6 are welcome. The tour operates in all weather.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Macy's Herald Squarepassing by
2. Meatpacking Districtpassing by
3. National Portrait Gallerypassing by
4. New York Harborpassing by
5. Dyker Heights1h
6. Empire Fulton Ferry15m
7. Washington Square Park15m

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour

• Arrive early, see Christmas windows
• Bus ride through Manhattan neighborhoods
• Pass by Meatpacking District and High Line
• View New York Harbor from Battery Tunnel
• Walk tour of Dyker Heights holiday lights
• Stop at Fulton Landing for skyline views
• Visit Washington Square Park Christmas tree
• Walk along Madison Avenue to Rockefeller Center

The experience

The tour starts at Macy's Herald Square, where you can browse the famous Christmas shop windows before boarding a luxury bus. From there, your guide narrates the ride through Lower Manhattan (past the Meatpacking District and the High Line, along the edges of Soho, Chinatown and Nolita) pointing out the neighborhoods' histories and holiday details as you move downtown. The bus carries you through the Battery Tunnel, and as you emerge into Brooklyn, New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty come into view across the water.

Once in Dyker Heights, you leave the bus and walk the streets with your guide, moving past house after house of elaborate light displays, life-sized Santas and sparkling reindeer. The walking portion lasts about an hour and covers the neighborhood's most decorated blocks. After Dyker Heights, the tour heads back toward Manhattan with a stop at Empire Fulton Ferry (Fulton Landing) for views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline.

The return route takes you through Greenwich Village to Washington Square Park, where you'll see the Village Christmas tree framed by the famous arch, with the Empire State Building lit in the distance. The bus then travels up Madison Avenue past Madison Park's Christmas tree, and the tour concludes at Rockefeller Center, where your guide walks you past St. Patrick's Cathedral to the Rockefeller Center Tree. The full tour runs about four hours.

What’s included

• Luxury bus ride with live English-speaking guide through Manhattan's neighborhoods.
• one-hour guided walking tour of Dyker Heights' holiday displays.
• photo stops at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Washington Square Park and Rockefeller Center.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 19:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (13 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by NY See Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see Dyker Heights' legendary light displays without driving or navigating Brooklyn yourself. The bus handles the route, the guide explains what you're seeing, and you walk only the decorated streets where the real spectacle is.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What neighborhoods does the bus pass through on the way to Dyker Heights?

The bus travels through Herald Square, Chelsea, West Village, Tribeca, the Meatpacking District and the World Trade Center area as it moves through Manhattan toward Brooklyn, with your guide providing commentary on each area's character and holiday sights.

How long do you spend walking around Dyker Heights itself?

The walking tour through Dyker Heights lasts about one hour, covering the neighborhood's most spectacular holiday homes and decorated streets with your guide.

What photo stops are included in the tour?

The tour includes photo stops at Brooklyn Bridge Park for Manhattan skyline views, Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village, and Rockefeller Center's Christmas Tree at the end of the day.

What should I bring or wear for this tour?

The tour operates in all weather, so dress appropriately for cold and potentially wet conditions. Bring a camera for the photo stops and the decorated streets of Dyker Heights.

Does the tour include food, drinks or hotel pickup?

Food, drinks and hotel pickup are not included in the tour. You'll want to eat before or after. A parking fee applies at check-in if you drive to the departure point.