Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Parking 2026: Where to Park, Driving and Subway
Driving to see the lights?
There is no event parking in Dyker Heights. Your best bets are a city garage in Bay Ridge or a city lot in Bensonhurst. A side street a few blocks away works too. Need a monthly spot in Brooklyn? Call (929) 619-9960.
NYC Parkings is not affiliated with the homeowners or any tour company. Requests are free, with no obligation.
The Dyker Heights Christmas lights fill a few blocks of Brooklyn with giant displays every December. The homes are private, the show is free, and there is no parking lot. On weekend evenings, the side streets fill up by 5pm and traffic crawls.
This guide covers Dyker Heights Christmas lights parking. It lists the closest garages and city lots with real prices. It also explains the street rules that cause tickets, and when to drive or take the subway.
$6.75
City garage, 2 hours, Bay Ridge
$1.50/hr
City lot, Bensonhurst
15 min
Walk from the R or D train
$95
Ticket for blocking a driveway
Quick answer
For Dyker Heights Christmas lights parking, the most reliable choice is the Bay Ridge municipal garage at 8501 5th Avenue. It costs $6.75 for two hours and is about a 15-minute walk away. It closes at 10pm. Street parking is free but fills early on weekends. The main displays are on 83rd to 86th Street, between 11th and 13th Avenue.
When Are the Dyker Heights Lights On in 2026?
The displays usually go up around Thanksgiving weekend. In 2026, that means Friday, November 27. Most homes are lit by early December, and many stay on until about New Year’s. Each house sets its own schedule, so dates are not official.
| Detail | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Season | About November 27 to December 30, 2026 |
| Hours | From sunset, about 4:30pm, until about 9pm or 10pm |
| Cost | Free. The homes are private, and no ticket is needed. |
| Busiest times | Friday and Saturday evenings, mid to late December |
| Quietest times | Weeknights, especially early in December |
Where Are the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights?
The biggest displays sit on 83rd to 86th Street, between 11th and 13th Avenue, in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn (ZIP 11228). Famous homes include the Spata house at 1152 84th Street and the “Forest of Lights” at 1134 83rd Street. You can walk the whole area in about an hour.
Tap to load the map. Red area: the main lights blocks. Blue dots: parking. Green dots: subway stations. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Parking: Where to Park
There is no event parking, and there are very few garages in Dyker Heights itself. These are the options that work, from most to least reliable.
| Option | Address | Price | Hours | Walk to the lights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bay Ridge municipal garage | 8501 5th Ave, at 86th St | $4 first hour, $6.75 up to 2 hrs, $12.50 up to 10 hrs | Daily 8am–10pm | About 15 min |
| Bensonhurst #1 municipal lot | 1763 86th St, at 18th Ave | $1.50 an hour | Mon–Sat 7am–10pm | About 15 min |
| Valet garage, Bay Ridge | 9201 4th Ave | $11 for a Saturday, 4pm–9pm | Book online | About 15–20 min |
| Street parking | Side streets around the lights | Free | Read each sign | 5–15 min |
City garage and lot rates are from NYC DOT. The valet price came from a major booking site on November 4, 2026, for Saturday, December 12. Prices can change.
Bay Ridge municipal garage: the best bet
This city-run garage sits on 5th Avenue between 85th and 86th Street, next to the R train. It is cheap, open seven days, and has EV charging. From there, walk east on 84th or 85th Street to 11th Avenue. The garage closes at 10pm, so return to your car before then.
Bensonhurst #1 lot: cheapest by the hour
This city lot sits at 86th Street and 18th Avenue, by the 18 Av station on the D train. It costs $1.50 an hour, with a 4-hour limit on short-term spaces. It runs Monday to Saturday. Walk west on 86th Street to 13th Avenue.
Street parking
Street parking is free on most residential blocks in the evening. On weekends, it fills by about 5pm near the lights. Look a few blocks out, west of 10th Avenue or east of 14th Avenue, and walk in. Dyker Heights has many private driveways, so check every curb cut before you park.
Good to know
Live or work in Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights or Bensonhurst? Monthly parking ends the nightly search for a spot. The Bay Ridge municipal garage sells monthly permits for $275. Tell us your neighborhood and hours, and a parking partner will send other options.
Street Parking Rules and Tickets
Most tickets here come from crowded blocks and tight curbs. These fines are from the NYC Department of Finance.
| Violation | Fine |
|---|---|
| Blocking a driveway | $95 |
| Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant | $115 |
| Double parking | $115 |
| Parking in a crosswalk | $115 |
| Parking on a sidewalk | $115 |
| Blocking a pedestrian ramp | $165 |
- Driveways: only the homeowner may park across their own driveway. Visitors get a $95 ticket, and residents may call for a tow.
- Hydrants: there is no painted curb. Measure 15 feet, about one car length. See our fire hydrant ticket guide.
- Meters: commercial streets, such as 86th Street and 13th Avenue, have meters. Read the meter sign for its hours.
- Street cleaning: alternate side parking applies on weekday mornings, not evenings. If you stay overnight, check the sign. ASP is suspended on December 8 and December 25. See our alternate side parking calendar.
- No vendors: a city law bans street vending from Thanksgiving to December 31, from 2pm to 6am. The zone runs from 10th to 13th Avenue and 81st to 86th Street.
Can You Drive Through the Dyker Heights Lights?
Yes. The streets stay open to cars, and the city has not closed them for the lights. But on weekend evenings, traffic on 83rd to 86th Street moves at walking speed. Tour buses, rideshares and crowds in the street slow everything down.
- Best time to drive past: a weeknight after 8pm, when the crowds thin out.
- Avoid: Friday and Saturday from 5pm to 9pm in mid to late December.
- Better plan: park a few blocks away and walk. The best displays are easier to see on foot.
- Getting out: leave by way of 7th Avenue or 14th Avenue rather than the lit blocks. The Gowanus Expressway and the Belt Parkway are close by.
Subway, Bus and Rideshare
The subway avoids the parking problem completely. Both nearby stations are about a 15-minute walk from the lights.
| Option | How to get there |
|---|---|
| R train | Get off at 86 St (4th Avenue). Walk east on 84th or 85th Street to 11th Avenue. |
| D train | Get off at 79 St (New Utrecht Avenue). Walk west to 13th Avenue. |
| B1 bus | Runs along 86th Street. Get off near 11th to 13th Avenue. |
| Uber or taxi | Set your drop-off on 10th or 14th Avenue. Drivers struggle on the lit blocks, and prices rise on busy nights. |
| Bus tour | Tours leave from Midtown Manhattan and park nearby. Good if you do not want to drive. |
Tips for a Smooth Visit
- Go on a weeknight. You get easier parking and smaller crowds.
- Arrive before 5pm on weekends. Park while there are still spots, then watch the lights come on.
- Wear warm shoes. You will walk at least a mile around the blocks.
- Be a good neighbor. These are private homes. Stay off lawns, keep driveways clear and keep noise down.
- Check the time. If you use the Bay Ridge garage, leave the lights by about 9:30pm.
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Parking FAQ
Where is the best Dyker Heights Christmas lights parking?
The Bay Ridge municipal garage at 8501 5th Avenue is the most reliable. It costs $6.75 for two hours and $12.50 for up to 10 hours. It is about a 15-minute walk from the lights and closes at 10pm.
Is there free parking near the Dyker Heights lights?
Yes. Street parking is free on most residential blocks in the evening. On weekends it fills by about 5pm, so try blocks west of 10th Avenue or east of 14th Avenue.
Can you drive through the Dyker Heights Christmas lights?
Yes, the streets stay open to cars. On weekend evenings, traffic moves very slowly. A weeknight after 8pm is the easiest time to drive past.
What streets are the Dyker Heights Christmas lights on?
The main displays are on 83rd to 86th Street, between 11th and 13th Avenue, in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn.
When are the Dyker Heights Christmas lights on in 2026?
The lights usually go up around Thanksgiving weekend, about November 27, 2026, and stay on until about New Year’s. Most homes light up from sunset until about 9pm or 10pm.
What is the closest subway to the Dyker Heights lights?
The R train at 86 St and the D train at 79 St. Both are about a 15-minute walk from the main blocks.
Are the Dyker Heights Christmas lights free?
Yes. The displays are on private homes, and you can walk the blocks for free. Only bus tours charge a fee.
Can I park in a driveway in Dyker Heights?
No. Blocking a driveway costs $95, and the homeowner can have your car towed. Many homes in the area have driveways, so check every curb cut.
Need Parking in South Brooklyn?
The lights last a few weeks. Street parking in Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights is tight all year. Tell us your car and your hours, and we’ll connect you with a parking partner.
- Monthly spot: call or email us with your neighborhood, car and budget.
- Lights night: use the garage and lot list above.
- More guides: Times Square New Year’s Eve road closures, Rockefeller Center tree lighting parking, parking near Barclays Center, Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade road closures and where to park in NYC by neighborhood.
Sources
We checked city parking rates, fines and the vending law on November 4, 2026. The valet price comes from a major booking site, checked the same day. Display dates and hours are set by each homeowner, so they can change. NYC Parkings is not affiliated with the homeowners, any tour company or any garage.
