Despite COVID-19, Brooklyn neighbourhood still a flashy Christmas village

In a New York where traditional holiday performances are cancelled, Rockefeller Center tree viewings are timed and travel is ill-advised, it's beginning to feel a lot like the COVID-19 Grinch stole Christmas.

But in Brooklyn's illuminated Dyker Heights neighbourhood, not even a pandemic can keep the festive spirit down.

The quasi-suburban residential district features large single-family homes that in late November start shimmering with elaborate holiday displays.

This year tourism is reined in as are bus tours to the southwestern Brooklyn neighborhood that proudly displays its Italian-American heritage.

But its in-your-face Christmas glow is still drawing large crowds, albeit with most in masks.

A house is decorated for Christmas in the Brooklyn neighbourhood of Dyker Heights.

"I'm in awe," said Eric Steiner, who journeyed from Manhattan with his husband to see the displays for the first time.

"It's such a festive spirit at a time when things are, you know, uncertain and scary for a lot of people," the 47-year-old told AFP in front of a home draped with thousands of glittering lights.

According to local lore the tradition began in the mid-1980s, started by a woman named Lucy Spata in honor of her mother's memory.

Homes are decorated for Christmas in the Brooklyn neighbourhood of Dyker Heights.

Her home is barely visible behind the lavish display featuring angels, Santas, nutcrackers and a gold throne with crimson upholstery where gawkers can snap photos.

"A lot of people are getting depressed," said holiday lights tour guide Robert Perez. "I think this brings a little laughter and happiness."

Tour guide Perez said this year is different in that most people coming for the lights are local - "you had people coming in from Italy, Europe" in the past, he said.

The festivities gridlock traffic and make parking impossible but the lights are a boon to local businesses.