The Galaxy of Lights is a staple in the greater Huntsville area. The classic, Christmas-themed light display has taken place since 1996 and has only improved with each subsequent season. If you’re looking for a fun, family-oriented activity, then the Galaxy of Lights may be for you!
Galaxy of Lights Tickets
The Galaxy of Lights boasts two different ways to tour the display, which occur during different parts of the Christmas season.
Driving
Driving nights, where you are able to tour the light displays from the comfort of your car, take place from December 4th through the 15 and the 26th through the 31st.
When driving, the price per ticket is determined per vehicle (with a limit of 10 passengers), potentially making the Galaxy of Lights a more cost-effective event. During peak season, when tickets are purchased at the gate, the member and non-member prices are the same, at 40 dollars a vehicle.
On non-peak dates, tickets purchased at the gate are 35 dollars for both members and non-members.
Possible Galaxy of Lights Discounts
If you pre-purchase tickets, there is the possibility to receive a discount (25.00 + tax for members and 30.00 + tax for non-members). There is also a package available that offers discounts when purchasing tickets for multiple vehicles at the same time.
Walking
Walking nights take place from November 17th through 26th, the 29th and 30th, as well as December 1st through 3rd and the 16th through the 24th.
The pricing for these tickets is quite a bit more complicated than the pricing for driving tickets, but they can be seen on the Huntsville Botanical Garden’s website. If you are looking for the best possible deal, try to attend during an off-season night and pre-purchase your tickets.
Be conscious of attempting to pre-purchase your tickets either way for walking nights, as you are not guaranteed to be able to buy tickets at the gate depending on the number of attendees already present.
When purchasing online tickets, you are able to select a time to tour the lights. The staff requests that you attend as close as possible to the time indicated on your tickets as possible.
Our Time at Huntsville Galaxy of Lights
Getting Started
Parking, luckily, was a breeze. There were several team members stationed throughout the parking lots that directed us to a parking spot outside of Morris School. Once parked, we bundled up and followed the masses to the door.
And what a surprise! Waiting just outside of the entrance, the Grinch was waiting for us! He was there interacting with and taking photos with the guests. Later on in the night, we even spotted him on the walking tour.
Getting our tickets (that we pre-purchased) scanned and getting into the gardens was a quick and simple task.
The Galaxy of Lights
Now, it was time for the main event! Though I have referred to this as a ‘tour,’ it truly isn’t exactly that. We were able to move at our own pace and move through the exhibits as we pleased.
There was quite a crowd there, and everyone began making their way through the lights.
Of course, there were countless light displays, all sponsored by local businesses and families. There were also children’s swings and paths that lit up, large art pieces from local 4th, 5th, and 6th graders, and even a display that combined light with one of the large fountains.
Walking Huntsville Galaxy of Lights
But there was something truly special about the atmosphere in some of the areas of the walking path. A combination of beautifully scored music, light, smoke machines, and fake snow left us with a truly fantastical feeling. We kept repeating that it ‘felt like Harry Potter.’ Some of the lights left us with a truly magical feeling.
The Galaxy of Lights utilized speakers placed certain distances apart to change the music as you moved through the displays, which were organized in a cohesive pattern. There was beautifully scored instrumentals at the beginning, with some Peanuts music, some Polar Express music, some Jurassic Park music, and much more spread throughout.
Some areas were more congested, but others were more sparse and allowed us to move about and have a fun time.
Moving at a decent pace, we got through the entire display in about 40 minutes.
Going Home
The parking lot was a breeze to get out of, and we were on our way home minutes after getting into the car.
What You Need to Know: The Galaxy of Lights
As with all of my posts, I feel the need to make sure that you are aware of the things that really stood out to me.
1 – Refreshments and Restrooms
There is an opportunity, before you enter the gardens, to purchase refreshments. There is also a small area about halfway through the path where there are port-a-potties and a tent that sells warm drinks. This area has some seating, and it is the only music on the entire tour that has vocals.
2 – Dog Friendly?
The Galaxy of Lights is dog-friendly, but only on specific nights throughout the season. Dogs are invited to join their owners every Monday and Tuesday on walking nights. During peak season, the ticket price is $5.00 per pooch (plus tax).
We didn’t go on a dog-friendly evening, but we did see dog bowls in the same area as the refreshment tent.
3 – Wheelchair/Stroller Friendly
Yes! The majority of the path was along paved walkways, and the areas that weren’t were either cobblestone or well-maintained gravel. We saw plenty of people attending the event in wheelchairs, as well as plenty of families using strollers or wagons for their little ones, and it seemed like everyone had a fair time making it through.
Even though it was dark, the ground was nice and flat, so it was also fairly easy to navigate on foot, if you are prone to tripping. It is quite a walk, though, so keep that in mind if you or your loved one can walk, but tire easily.
4 – The Weather
The galaxy of lights takes place rain or shine, though it will close in inclement weather. In case of inclement weather, you are able to request a refund for your pre-purchased ticket. If you would like to reschedule your visit, but the garden is not closing, then there is a 5 dollar fee attached to changing your scheduled visit.
We lucked out and attended on a night that was definitely a bit chilly but not terribly windy. You definitely want to make sure to bundle up so that you can enjoy the night.
5 – The Kids
The Galaxy of Lights is definitely a kid-friendly event, but it is a winter-season event, and it takes place at night, so keep this in mind when you schedule your visit and dress your child. Additionally, make sure that you take the opportunity to have a restroom break when they are available about halfway through the walk, as there are no other chances.
6 – The Grinch
The Grinch was a very nice Grinch, but keep in mind that there is a chance that a costumed character may be present. Some children are very sensitive to costumed characters, and the Grinch’s mask was a bit off-putting, even to me as a grown adult.
The Final Review: The Galaxy of Lights in Huntsville, Alabama
In all honesty, I have visited the Galaxy of Lights one time before (to my knowledge), and I preferred walking. We had gone on the driving tour, and the combination of not being able to tour at our leisure and the brake lights messing with the brilliance of the displays was not my favorite.
But the walking tour takes it to the next level. We were now able to stop and really take a look at the things we wanted to see and breeze right past the things we weren’t interested in.
The choice of music and the use of smoke machines, bubble machines, and fake snow really brought it to the next level.
Though it may be warmer, more economical, and more comfortable to go on a driving night, I would recommend giving it a try on a walking night – it really made the entire thing much more magical!
