The best Christmas lights in New York City are the over-the-top houses of Dyker Heights in Brooklyn, the Saks Fifth Avenue light show, the Rockefeller Center tree, Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden (November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027), Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights, the Winter Lantern Festival on Staten Island, and the Magic of Lights drive-through at Jones Beach.
Whole blocks of houses lit up like theme parks.
The homes of Dyker Heights, roughly between 83rd and 86th Streets and 11th and 13th Avenues, put up giant, professional displays each December.
It's NYC's most famous neighborhood light show.
Good to know: Go on a weeknight after 5pm; bring cash for the hot chocolate stands.
84th Street & 11th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11228
A light show across the façade of Saks.
Saks Fifth Avenue's holiday light show plays across its façade every evening, opposite the Rockefeller Center tree, alongside its festive windows.
Free and short, so it's easy to catch.
Good to know: Watch from the Rockefeller Center side of Fifth Avenue.
611 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10022
The world's most famous Christmas tree.
The tree is lit on December 2, 2026 and stays up until mid-January, covered in tens of thousands of LEDs and topped by a Swarovski star.
Free to visit.
Good to know: Go early in the morning or very late at night for photos without the crowds.
45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111
An illuminated trail through the garden.
Lightscape returns to Brooklyn Botanic Garden from November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027, with a mile-long trail of light art and a brand-new section.
Book timed tickets; it sells out.
Good to know: Weeknights and early slots are calmest.
990 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225
Animal lanterns and light tunnels at the zoo.
Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights fills the zoo with animal lanterns, light tunnels and festive treats on select nights from November into January.
Check the 2026 dates and book ahead.
Good to know: Dress warmly; it's all outdoors.
2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460
Hundreds of giant lanterns on Staten Island.
The Winter Lantern Festival has filled Snug Harbor Cultural Center with giant handmade lanterns in recent seasons.
Check whether it returns for 2026.
Good to know: Take the free Staten Island Ferry and a short bus ride.
1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301
A drive-through holiday light show by the ocean.
Magic of Lights is a drive-through show of LED displays along the road at Jones Beach State Park, about an hour from Manhattan.
You stay in your car the whole way.
Good to know: Buy tickets online for a set date; weeknights are cheaper.
Jones Beach State Park, Wantagh, NY 11793
Magic of Lights at Jones Beach State Park on Long Island is a drive-through light show, and Dyker Heights in Brooklyn is easy to see by car, though walking is better.
Usually from Thanksgiving weekend to New Year's, from about 5pm to 9pm. Weeknights are less crowded.
Dyker Heights, the Saks light show and the Rockefeller Center tree are free. Lightscape, Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights, the Winter Lantern Festival and Magic of Lights are ticketed.
Take the D train to 79th Street or the R to 86th Street and walk about 15 minutes to the blocks between 83rd and 86th Streets and 11th to 13th Avenues.