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Polaroid of the Week: Dyker Heights' Spectacular Christmas Lights in Brooklyn

Polaroid of the Week: Dyker Heights Spectacular Christmas Lights in BrooklynI couldn't head home to Germany for Christmas without a stopover in New York en route to Europe. After months away from my adopted hometown, I was eager to reconnect with friends and soak up the magical holiday season in the Big Apple. Last December, during my full month in NYC, I planned to ice skate, visit Christmas markets, admire Fifth Avenue's window displays, gaze at the iconic Rockefeller Center tree, and explore the famous Dyker Heights lights. Unfortunately, I missed ice skating and never made it to Dyker Heights in southern Brooklyn, which isn't the easiest to reach.

This year, despite my shorter visit, I was determined to check them off. I enjoyed fabulous ice skating in Bryant Park and made the journey to Dyker Heights for its elaborate Christmas displays. The tradition began decades ago when residents started decorating extravagantly, and now entire blocks in this residential neighborhood explode with lights. It's so renowned that bus tours operate daily, drawing over 100,000 visitors each December. Featured in news outlets and publications annually, it's a true holiday phenomenon.

Participating homeowners aim to spread Christmas cheer, a practice dating back to the 1980s. In recent years, global media coverage has fueled even wilder displays. Strolling those intricately lit streets, I was amazed by the scale—over-the-top yet joyfully infectious. These lights brought a genuine smile to my face, and I plan to return next year.

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