Western New England University’s XR Lab is bringing immersive technology to one of the region’s most beloved holiday traditions through a new collaboration with the Spirit of Springfield’s Bright Nights at Forest Park. Visitors to Santa’s Magical Forest will be able to step into an interactive augmented-reality (AR) experience designed and developed by WNE students.
The activation marks the XR Lab’s first large-scale community partnership and demonstrates the University’s commitment to connecting emerging technologies with real-world applications that benefit the Western Massachusetts community.
A Student-Driven AR Experience for Thousands of Holiday Visitors
Using a QR code accessible on-site, guests can transform themselves into one of Santa’s elves or bring a festive AR snowman to life—directly from their mobile device, without the need for an app. The experience was created by a Computer Science Graduate Student Alyan Alam and his faculty mentor Dr. Hanieh Shabanian.
“This project showcases one of our most important goals at the XR Lab—pair innovative tools with meaningful, community-centered experiences,” said Marcus Davis, XR Lab Director and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, who supported the initiative alongside WNE faculty and student developers. “Bright Nights is a Western Mass institution, and giving our students the chance to contribute something new to it is both exciting and incredibly rewarding.”
Strengthening University–Community Partnerships
For 31 years, Bright Nights at Forest Park has drawn hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. This collaboration adds a new interactive layer to the event while highlighting the region’s growing ecosystem of innovation and applied technology.
Spirit of Springfield leadership welcomed the partnership as a way to enhance the guest experience while showcasing local talent.
“We loved the idea of bringing a touch of AR magic to Santa’s Magical Forest,” said Judy Matt, president of Spirit of Springfield. “Working with WNE’s XR Lab has shown just how much creativity and technical skill the students bring to the table. It’s wonderful to see a local university enriching a community tradition in such a fun and engaging way.”
A Milestone in the XR Lab’s Expanding Community Work
Since its opening in 2024, the WNE XR Lab has focused on applied learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovation across fields such as engineering, health science, and business. This Bright Nights project represents a significant step toward expanding its presence across Western Mass.
“For our students, this is more than a class project—it’s work that will be seen and enjoyed by thousands of people,” said Dr. Shabanian. “It demonstrates the power of experiential learning and shows how technology can strengthen community connections.”
Try the AR Experience
Bright Nights visitors can scan on-site QR codes beginning this Wednesday to launch the AR activation. A preview of the experience is also available through a QR code shared on social media.
To learn more about the project, visit recent coverage on Western Mass News and WWLP.
- Western Mass News: Augmented reality feature coming to Bright Nights
- WWLP: Bright Nights adds 50-foot musical tree, augmented reality for 31st season
