HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - One of the South's top holiday attractions -- Huntsville Botanical Garden's annual Galaxy of Lights - opens Friday night.

This year's 19th edition of the Galaxy of Lights features several new lighted decorations including a giant snowman, rocket Santa Claus, dragon, prince and animated tortoise and hare. All the traditional favorites will also be there.

Visitors can walk through what the Botanical Garden calls its "winter wonderland of holiday lights" from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. this Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, and again Nov. 21-25. This coming Monday and Nov. 24 are also Dog Walking Nights at the Galaxy of Lights.

Walk-though admission is $6 for adults, $3 for children ages 3-17, and $1 for dogs. Garden members receive a discount.

Admission includes a meet-and-greet with Santa. There are also new photo stations this year featuring an ice castle and toy soldiers. Cookies and hot cocoa are free for members.

Drive-through nights start on Thanksgiving and continue daily through Dec. 31. Hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is $20 per car with a $1 discount for donations to charity.

Requested items include new and gently used warm coats, hats, mittens and gloves, as well as non-perishable food items, for Inner City Church of Christ; canned and boxed food items for Interfaith Mission's Foodline program; presents for Toys for Tots; and items for the Greater Huntsville Humane Society.

"There's just no better way to get in the holiday spirit than by walking, or driving, through Galaxy of Lights," said Botanical Garden spokeswoman Carol Casey. "Our out-of-this world light extravaganza celebrates the season and makes it merry and bright."

Galaxy of Lights will be closed Monday, Dec. 1, and Tuesday, Dec. 2, for the Galaxy 5K and Galaxy Fun Run events. Huntsville Botanical Garden is located at 4747 Bob Wallace Ave.