article by Hannah Olson | photos courtesy of Sheri Hanson-Smith

“Holiday Nights isn’t just lights, it’s connection. Families, young and old, all finding a little bit of magic together. The spirit of Christmas it brings to the community is magical.” -SHERI HANSON-SMITH

Each winter, as the crisp Montana air settles and snowflakes gather in soft drifts along ZooMontana’s winding paths, something extraordinary begins to take shape. Strings of color, the smell of cocoa, and the sound of carols transform the familiar landscape into a place of wonder.

Holiday Nights is more than a dazzling light show; it’s a celebration of community, connection, and the shared joy that comes from making memories with the people we love.

For Sheri Hanson-Smith, the event’s Assistant Director of Events and Communications, Holiday Nights is not only a professional passion, it’s deeply personal. This year, her family’s Christmas legacy will shine for all to see, adding a new layer of meaning to one of Billings’ most cherished holiday traditions.

ONE FAMILY CHRISTMAS TRADITION FINDS A NEW HOME

The story begins decades ago, long before Holiday Nights came to ZooMontana. In 1958, Sheri’s grandparents, Oscar and Ardis Hanson, built their first Christmas yard decoration by hand in their Billings yard when Sheri’s dad, Butch, was just a toddler. Four years later, their vision had grown into a full, life-size display, Santa’s sleigh with nine reindeer, including Rudolph with his signature glowing red nose.

“In 1958, my grandparents built their first Christmas decoration for their yard,” Sheri said. “By 1962, they had nine life-size reindeer and a sleigh, Rudolph’s nose lights up!”

Each reindeer was crafted from wood, painted and glittered by hand, using enlarged templates from smaller holiday designs Ardis admired in Billings’ Christmas Wreath Lane. The sleigh was big enough for children to climb in for photos, and for years, families stopped to take pictures and wave at “Santa” as they passed the Hanson home along Highway 312.

Sheri remembers helping her grandparents set up the display each year, a multi-generational ritual of hauling pieces from storage, repainting what the weather had worn down, and topping the evening with hot cocoa and laughter. “We’d go over to Grandma and Papa’s and put it up every year. And then my kids did, too,” she said. “It wasn’t Christmas until the sleigh was standing and Rudolph’s nose was glowing.”

When Oscar passed away in 2000, Butch became the keeper of the display. He had been part of the tradition since preschool and carried it on with pride. Years later, Sheri and her husband Jason lovingly restored the pieces, repainting the original wood and recreating Santa and the North Pole sign from old photos.

“It’s the original wood,” Sheri said proudly. “The only new pieces are Santa and the North Pole sign, which we recreated exactly. It’s a way to memorialize her. She knew it was happening before she passed and was so excited.”

When the news was shared at Ardis’s funeral that the Hanson family display would become part of Holiday Nights, the room filled with emotion. “There were a hundred people in the room, and they all gasped,” Sheri said. “There are people coming to Holiday Nights for the first time just to see it.”

A GRANDMOTHER’S LEGACY OF LOVE & CREATIVITY

Sheri’s grandmother, Ardis Hanson, passed away in September at 94. A lifelong Montanan, she was known for her warmth, resilience, and creativity, traits that continue to ripple through her family and the community she loved.

“She was a force of a woman,” Sheri said. “A very proud Depression baby, resilient, creative, and detail-oriented. She loved parties and people, and she’s where I get that from.”

Her handmade Christmas display became an extension of that love. Even after Ardis could no longer set it up herself, the family made sure the tradition continued. When the display glows to life at ZooMontana this season, it does so as both a tribute to her and a gift to the community she helped shape.

THE SPIRIT OF HOLIDAY NIGHTS

For Sheri, the inclusion of her family’s 1962 Santa display is more than sentimental, it represents what Holiday Nights is all about.

The partnership between Holiday Nights and ZooMontana has deepened that connection. What began as an idea from managing partner Josh Benson, who saw similar events around the country and envisioned something even grander for Billings, has grown into one of the region’s most beloved holiday traditions.

It’s also a local effort. “It supports our local people and gives back to the zoo instead of costing them,” Sheri said. “That’s something we’re proud of.” Seasonal staff include teens, college students, and parents who come together to bring the magic to life.

A SHOW THAT GROWS WITH THE COMMUNITY

This year’s Holiday Nights runs November 28–December 31 (closed December 24). Hours are 5–9 p.m. and features more than 15 million lights across ZooMontana’s grounds, including a 50-foot digital Christmas tree and a new grand entryway to welcome guests.

WHAT TO EXPECT THIS YEAR:

• The Story of Christmas – Sponsored by Faith Chapel, this walk-through Nativity features illuminated palm trees, scrolls, and glowing camels.
• TDS Fiber Forest – A breathtaking blue-and-white winter scene sparkling with icicles along the wolves’ area.
• Interactive Play Area – Kids can play among glowing teeter-totters and lighted playground equipment.
• Christmas Drone Show – On December 23, hundreds of drones light up the night sky to holiday music, sponsored by Opportunity Bank.
• Blitzen’s Lounge – Warm up with cozy drinks and local vendors.
• Mrs. Claus’s Craft Room – A favorite stop where kids can decorate cookies and create memories.
• Themed Nights – Enjoy Grinch Night, Ugly Sweater Night, Wizarding World Night, and Breakfast with Elf.
• S’mores Tents & Geodome Rentals – Thirteen private tents with fire pits and cocoa, plus a 41-foot Geodome for unforgettable parties under the lights.
• 406 Memories Photography – Schedule a professional photo session on-site to capture your family’s Christmas magic among the lights.

THE MAGIC OF MEMORY

What makes Holiday Nights so special isn’t just its spectacle, it’s how it connects people across generations. The event is stroller- and wheelchair-friendly, with staff keeping icy walkways safe, but its greatest accessibility comes through shared experience.

“The number of couples who come through, it’s a fantastic date night,” Sheri said. “But it’s also perfect for kids, parents, grandparents. It really is a multi-generational experience.”

For Sheri, the magic of Holiday Nights is woven into her own story. From her grandmother’s creativity to her father’s commitment and her own work bringing the event to life, it’s a full-circle moment, one where legacy meets light.

“The owners cared enough to want a 1962 family display in their show because it’s cool and it’s community, that’s what makes it special,” she said. “It’s more than just our family’s story. It’s every family’s story, the joy of tradition, the love of Christmas, and the memories we make together.”

Tickets S’MORES TENT RESERVATIONS, & EVENT-NIGHT DETAILS: https://www.holiday-nights.com

Originally printed in the December 2025 issue of Simply Local Magazine

Check this article out in the digital issue of Simply Local here!

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