Walking Nights

• Nov. 14 – 30 (closed Thanksgiving Day)
• Dec. 3 – 6
• Dec. 17 – 27 (Closed Christmas Day)

Note that Mondays and Tuesdays of Walking Nights are Dog Nights, so bring your furry companion to see the lights on those days!

Tickets for Walking Nights are available to pre-purchase online or at the Garden’s front desk during regular business hours. For Walking Nights, please pre-purchase your timed ticket in advance to guarantee your admission. Gate tickets are not guaranteed during Walking Nights (with the exception of Museums for All). Proceeds from Galaxy Walking Nights go directly to support the mission of Huntsville Botanical Garden.

With limited availability at the gate, the only way to guarantee your admission to Walking Nights is to pre-purchase your timed ticket in advance. Each date and entry time for Walking Nights has a limited capacity, so without a pre-purchased ticket, you may need to wait for availability. If tickets are entirely sold out when you arrive, you may be asked to return on a different night. We don’t want anyone to be disappointed, so we strongly encourage you to pre-purchase your tickets before arriving!

Museums for All tickets must be purchased at the gate and have guaranteed availability. Museums for All tickets require photo ID and EBT card to be presented at purchase.

No. Huntsville Botanical Garden is a cashless venue.

If you arrive with only cash to pay for tickets, we cannot make exact change, and the total sale will be rounded up to the nearest dollar.

No cash will be accepted for concessions or retail items.

Walking Nights are held in the rain or shine. In the case of severe weather, Walking Nights will be canceled, and we will announce the cancellation by 3:30 p.m. on our website and social media channels. In this situation, all pre-purchased tickets can be refunded upon request. You may also donate your ticket fee to the Garden. To request a refund, please email tickets@hsvbg.org within five business days of the canceled date. We ask that you kindly allow two business days for a response to ticket inquiries, including refund requests.

Walking Nights admissions begin at 4:30 p.m., and entry times are every 15 minutes thereafter. The last admission is at 8:45 p.m. The full Walking Nights path is about 1.5 miles long, and you are welcome to enjoy the experience at your own pace until 10:00 p.m.

Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome on designated Dog Walking Nights, which take place Mondays and Tuesdays during Walking Nights (November 17 & 18, November 24 & 25, and December 22 & 23). Tickets for dogs are $5 per pooch when purchased in advance ($6 at the gate). Some of our four-legged guests even come dressed for the occasion!

It is the responsibility of the owner to clean up any “deposits” left behind by their dog.

Note: Galaxy of Lights is a delightful time for most dogs, but if your dog is easily overstimulated or reactive to other dogs or crowds, we ask that you leave them at home.

Yes, our paths are a mix of paved roads, brick hardscape, and gravel; they are wide enough to accommodate strollers, wagons, and wheelchairs. Please note that the Walking Nights path can be dark in some areas, so we recommend bringing a flashlight to help you navigate wheels along the path.

Yes! The Garden’s new Evergreen Express will offer tram tours on select dates. 

Wheelchairs and motorized scooters will be available at the front desk on a first-come basis. To help everyone in your party have an enjoyable and comfortable experience, we encourage you to bring your own strollers, wagons, and/or mobility devices as needed.

Absolutely! This year, you can enjoy a variety of concessions along the trail. 

• The Fern & Feast Bistro: Serving popcorn, chips, and hot beverages.
• The Frosted Flora Bar: Serving a hot alcoholic beverage as well as some cold ones.
• Glow Bar located in the Gathering: Serving all cold alcoholic beverages.
• The Festive Fern located in the Gathering: Serving S’mores kits, burgers, and additional fares
• The Cocoa Castle: Serving cookies, hot cocoa, and alcoholic add-ons

Yes, it will! The Gift Shop will be open until 8:30 p.m. during Walking Nights and the retail kiosk will be located near the Fern & Feast Bistro food trailer. Stop by to see our curated selection of seasonal decorations and unique holiday gifts.

For your safety, please remain on the lit paths, but feel free to take photos to your heart’s content! We love seeing your photos and videos, so please share with us on Facebook and Instagram by tagging us with #GalaxyOfLights.

Galaxy of Lights has plenty of new surprises for guests of all ages. We have been working behind the scenes all year to bring you an exciting and innovative experience that captures your holiday favorites with new technology, light show elements, and special effects.

• Reimagined Icicle Forest – This area has long been a favorite among walking and driving customers alike. This year we’ve given the area a glow-up befitting the 30th anniversary!

• Sensory Hour – Guests who are sensitive to sensory stimuli are invited to attend during our designated sensory hour time slot. All are welcome during the 4:30 ticket time on Nov. 30 and Dec. 3, but Galaxy of Lights will not feature music during that time period. Fidget toys will also be available for checkout from Admissions.

• Dream Stream Pathway – Step into an interactive projection pathway where each movement transforms the lights around you.

• Light Show at Cocoa Castle – A dazzling new beam-light technology experience, redesigned to complement the whimsical Hot Cocoa Castle.

• Fresh Musical Selections – Enjoy new musical choices woven throughout the walking night experience.

• New Swing Location – A charming new spot to pause, play, and enjoy the lights.

• More RGB Stepping Stones – Expanded in a new location for even more interactive fun.

• Enhanced Globe Play in the South Loop – Additional kiosk and glowing globes for guests to discover and enjoy.

• Dreamscape Interactive Tablets – Two new 32-inch screens let you draw your own light patterns and see them mirrored back in real time.

• Candlelight Cabin – A new light show experience at the trading post location.

• Fog Effects – Four new fog machine stations create an ethereal atmosphere and showcase lighting in imaginative new ways.

• Evergreen Express – A brand-new way to travel through Galaxy of Lights in the comfort of an open-air tram.

• Additional Concessions – Enjoy a delicious selection of food and beverages from any of the five concession points:
  • The Fern & Feast Bistro: Serving popcorn, chips, and hot beverages.
  • The Frosted Flora Bar: Serving a hot alcoholic beverage as well as some cold ones.
  • Glow Bar located in the Gathering: Serving all cold alcoholic beverages.
  • The Festive Fern located in the Gathering: Serving S’mores kits, burgers, and additional fares
  • The Cocoa Castle: Serving cookies, hot cocoa, and alcoholic add-ons

The Evergreen Express is a brand new way to travel through Galaxy of Lights in the comfort of an open-air tram. 

• A ticket for the Evergreen Express is the price of a walking night ticket plus an additional $5. Tickets are required to ride the tram.
• When you arrive, visit the Admission desk in the Guest Center to obtain a lanyard prior to boarding the Evergreen Express.
• The Evergreen Express will only pick up guests with appropriate tickets from the Guest Center pick-up location. There is no option to purchase tram tickets from other points along the Walking Night route.
• There is one ADA-accessible seat for guests who cannot board the Evergreen Express without being in/on their mobility device. We kindly ask that you refrain from purchasing that designated ticket unless you truly need it.
• Strollers, walkers, and other gear may be collapsed and stored aboard the tram.
• Children under 2 years old do not need a ticket to board the tram, but must lap-sit.