Why is Dyker Heights famous for Christmas lights?

Dyker Heights is nationally famous for its extraordinary Christmas light displays, one of New York City's most popular holiday attractions. Each December, many homeowners, particularly in the blocks between roughly 11th and 13th Avenues and 83rd to 86th Streets, decorate their large houses with elaborate, professionally installed displays of lights, animatronics, and giant figures. The tradition, rooted in the neighborhood's proud Italian-American community, draws tens of thousands of visitors and tour buses each season, making Dyker Heights a beloved holiday destination and a point of local pride.