The Dyker Lights, a massive holiday light display in Dyker Heights, have been a Brooklyn tradition for more than 25 years. Every December, neighborhood residents go all out with their displays. It’s not just lights, though there are plenty of those, but also mechanical sculptures and large-scale figurines. It’s truly a spectacle that’s worth an annual trip to the southern reaches of the borough.
The bulk of the lights are between 11th and 13th Avenues and 83rd through 86th Streets, though there are certainly displays outside of that area. If you have a car, it’s probably best to drive down, then park and walk around, because the most lit-up areas are pretty far from the train. However, if the subway is your mode of choice, take the D to 18th Avenue or the R to 86th Street. It’s a bit of a hike, but there’s plenty to look at along the way. Don’t forget to grab a cannoli or cappuccino from Mona Lisa Pastry Shop or from Villabate, an Italian bakery that will blow your mind.
-
- 86th Street is one of the main Christmas light thoroughfares.
-
- Many of the houses incorporate blow-up decorations alongside their lights.
-
- Holiday versions of characters like Winnie the Pooh are a popular addition to more traditional decorations.
-
- While colorful displays are abundant, some homes stick with mostly white lights.
-
- A candle decoration on a front step.
-
- Many of the larger houses in Dyker Heights are completely covered in decorations.
-
- A red and white tree decorations offers a slightly modern variation.
-
- A more traditional religious showing.
-
- Snowmen like this animated decoration, featuring glowing eyes, are also a popular theme.
-
- One home went all-out with plastic statues.
-
- This same house drew large crowds of gawkers and photographers.
-
- Among the figurines were several lit-up Chirstmas trees and a life-size Santa Claus upon whose lap spectators could sit.
-
- Many light-covered figures adorned lawns through out the neighborhood.
-
- Many of the figures were more ornate, like this angel, which was one of a few adorning this home.
-
- The “toy land” display on 84th Street features mechanical carousels and giant toy soldiers.
-
- In some cases, even regular Christmas lightbulbs are oversized.
-
- Some choose a non-traditional route, like this holiday flamingo.
-
- A nod to the North Pole with some penguins and an igloo.
-
- Some of the trees get in on the action with larger-scale ornaments.
-
- One house on 10th Avenue played homage to “A Christmas Story” with a leg lamp, “fragile” box and lifesize replicas of Ralphie and Randy.
Does anyone know what day the lights end on?
How about biking the route? That seems like the best way to see the lights. And you can take your bike on the subway if you’re coming from far away.
@EricMcClure:disqus : it’s winter. most people don’t bike now, but nice idea if it’s warm.
@harasmb:disqus : most people keep christmas decorations up at least through the last (twelfth) day of christmas, which is january 6th. not sure what dyker heights folks tend to do.
Approvr
——-
typed with thumbs
The penguins are not a nod to the north pole. Penguins live in the south.