Considered one of the last bastions of the old-school Brooklyn Italian neighborhoods, Dyker Heights is a quiet haven for families and elderly couples. However, for a little over 25 years, the neighborhood turns into a veritable Winter Wonderland every year around December 1st. Over 150,000 visitors from all over the world head into Brooklyn to see this unique Christmas spectacular.

Dubbed 'the Dyker Heights Lights' thanks to the stretch of houses from 11th to 13th avenues and 83 to 86th streets that go completely hog wild with the Christmas decorations, it has long been a traditional holiday stop for many children in Brooklyn. If you're curious to see these mind-blowing decorations for yourself, you can take the R train to 86th Street or 77th Street in Brooklyn and walk down; you can also either drive there (it will be slow, mind you) or spend $55 to join the 'Christmas and Cannoli' tour. Yum!

If you can't head to Brooklyn, feast your eyes on some of the best decorations and get into that holiday spirit.

1. A Giant Animatronic Figure of Santa Claus and His Reindeer

Giant Santa Claus in Dyker Heights
Ennuipoet, FreeVerse Photography, Gothamist.com
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One of the more breathtaking houses in Dyker Heights, this display features a giant animatronic figure of Santa Claus and his reindeer, which sing and welcome all those who walk by. Behind Santa and his reindeer are ginormous Nutcrackers and ballerinas which move in time to the holiday songs blaring over the speakers. Obviously, these decorations are one of the most popular and are a hit with all ages.

2. A Winter Wonderland in Brooklyn

Winter Wonderland in Dyker Heights
Ennuipoet, FreeVerse Photography, Gothamist.com
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While most of the houses in Dyker Heights aren't the ornate mansions as seen previously, they still make the most of what they have. This house has transformed its front yard into a veritable Winter Wonderland, complete with a light up reindeer and snowman.

3. Inflatable Decorations Are All The Rage, Too

Inflatable Decorations in Dyker Heights
Ennuipoet, FreeVerse Photography, Gothamist.com
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Compared to the other decorations, the inflatables feel a little cheap. However, kids everywhere love pointing and gawking at the cute plastic snowmen, reindeer and Santa Clauses that are blowing in the (machine-induced) wind.

4.Walt Disney Clearly Threw Up on This House, Yo

Abundance of Christmas Decorations in Dyker Heights
Ennuipoet, FreeVerse Photography, Gothamist.com
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Too many decorations? Fuhgeddaboudit! We need more! More! More, we say! These brave home owners have literally covered their house in wall-to-wall Christmas decorations and often have Santa Claus sitting outside to greet curious visitors. We can't decide if we like the over-abundance of decorations or if it looks like some elves had a bit too much egg nog and went on a decorating spree.

5. Holiday Flamingos For Everyone!

A Holiday Flamingo in Dyker Heights
Liza Eckert, BrooklynBased.com
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When you live in Dyker Heights and have to compete with a lot of crazy Christmas decorations, you have to think outside the box. This house puts up…holiday flamingos? Yea, we can't figure that one out, either. But hey, at least it catches your eye as you march up and down the neighborhood, gawking at the lights!

6. And We Have Holiday Igloos, Too!

Holiday Igloo in Dyker Heights
Liza Eckert, BrooklynBased.com
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Not to be outdone by the giant Santa Claus or the bizarre holiday flamingo house, this home owner has put up a cute little holiday igloo for visitors to "ooo" and "ahh" over. While the ice blue lights clash with the white lights, at least it's eye-catching enough that people will stop and look.

7. Wall to Wall Lights. Literally.

White Lights in Dyker Heights
Liza Eckert, BrooklynBased.com
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The competition to draw the most visitors is fierce in Dyker Heights, and this house has used the "drape lights wall-to-wall" tactic in order to catch one's eye. However, unlike some other houses in the area, this one is tastefully decorated. We personally enjoy the fact that there's a Christmas tree in every window on the second floor, too.

8. 'A Christmas Story' Grows in Brooklyn.

'A Christmas Story' Decorations
Liza Eckert, BrooklynBased.com
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Taking its cue from the mansion with its giant Santa animatronic, this house is decorated with animatronics that re-enact the holiday classic 'A Christmas Story.' Figurines like this are all the rage; another house used to put up 'A Christmas Carol' but the owner moved away a few years ago. Bah, humbug! Nothing beats a leg lamp.

9. Santa Claus and His Reindeer Make an Appearance Too

Santa Claus and Reindeer in Dyker Heights
Amanda Ferris
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While the figures on this house don't move, they're still just as eye-catching as the ones on the mansions. Santa Claus and one of his reindeer make an appearance alongside tons of light-up decorations such as Frosty the Snowman, angels and candy canes.

10. A Seal…In A Horse-Drawn Carriage?

Horse and Carriage in Dyker Heights
Ennuipoet, FreeVerse Photography, Gothamist.com
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We like cute animal displays in our Christmas decorations as much as the next person does, but a seal in a horse-drawn carriage? Or maybe it's a polar bear, we don't know but really? We can't figure out that decorating logic but hey, at least it is pretty to look at!

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