Once a year, the Dyker Heights community transforms their quaint little out-of-the-way Brooklyn neighborhood into a totally intense Christmas experience. Most people travel via subway, car, and tour bus to get there, just to witness the "twinklin' freakin' wonderland" themselves. Others pass through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, through the sea of swirly twirly gum drops, and then walk through the Lincoln Tunnel. What they find at the end of the journey is 8,000 watts of holiday spirit...
(Photo by Tod Seelie/Gothamist)
There are a few who do not participate in the tradition, and others who keep things simple, but mostly you'll get big, bright, and gaudy... as it should be. A lot of the neighborhood residents rely on professionals to get their displays just right, like B&R Christmas Decorators, who will bedazzle your home with a billion bulbs and animatronics. Others seem to have hoarded away a variety of seasonal lawn ornaments over the years, and simply toss them all out there when the time is right. There is no wrong way to participate.
There are wrong ways on how to get there, however, so you'll want to check our guide for that. And if you want a selfie with the big guy below, your best shot is going on a weeknight when things are less crowded.
(Photo by Tod Seelie/Gothamist)
