One of north Alabama’s most popular holiday traditions resumes Friday in Huntsville.

The Galaxy of Lights at the Huntsville Botanical Garden – an illuminated celebration featuring Santa Claus, snow and the joy of the season – will welcome tens of thousands of visitors into the beginning of next year.

It's part of what makes the garden the state's third-most popular tourist attraction.

Just as in past years, there will be separate walking nights and driving nights through the garden.

The Galaxy of Lights season begins Friday with the first walking night through the lights. Visitors can stroll along the 2-mile paved path through the garden lights while the garden is closed to vehicles.

The dates for walking nights: Nov. 15-18 and Nov. 21-26 from 5:30-8 p.m. And in keeping with past years, Santa Claus will also be on site on walking nights – though the garden said that given his busy schedule at this time of year, he must leave to return to the North Pole by 8:30.

Refreshments are also available along the path.

General admission ticket prices on walking nights are $12 for adults and $6 for children 3-15. Garden member tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Walking night tickets are good for any walking night.

Dog walking nights are Nov. 18 and Nov. 25 and dog tickets are $3.

Driving nights will be Nov. 29-Jan. 4 from 5:30-9 p.m. with the exception of Dec. 2-3 when the garden is closed for the Galaxy 5K and 3K runs.

Driving night tickets are $25 per vehicle (10 people or less) and vans and tour buses are also $25 up to 10 people with $3 for each additional person and drivers are free. On Military Mondays, those with a military ID receive $5 off at the gate on driving nights.

The entrance to the garden for the Galaxy of Lights is at Phantom Road off Bob Wallace Avenue near I-565. A lighted “enter here” sign will alert drivers.

Ticket for walking and driving nights are available for purchase on the garden’s website as well as more information about the Galaxy of Lights. And you can also register to bike through the lights on Nov. 19.