You may have noticed the odd jacaranda petal around campus, well if you haven’t, get ready for an explosion of the colour purple. It’s that time of the year where The University of Queensland (UQ) campus comes to life for its annual BLOOM Festival. In its fourth year, the festival highlights the theme celebrate, illuminate, and innovate across a two-week period, 16 -31 October! The festival boasts food, culture, community, campus transformations and an opportunity to give back. Here are five ways you can get the most out of this year’s UQ BLOOM Festival.
Sink your teeth into a range of tasty treats!
Are you the type of person who likes to indulge your tastebuds? Well, if so, you’re in for a treat! Throughout BLOOM Festival there will be a range of culinary experiences that will have your mouth watering. Underneath the Forgan Smith lights - UQ brings back the iconic Long Table Dinner which boasts a luxury 2-course meal and a night of festivities to be enjoyed with family, friends, and colleagues from the UQ Community.
If you are after a more relaxing experience, sign up for the Sunset Picnic where you can enjoy a decadent platter while relaxing under the Jacaranda trees by UQ Lakes.
Explore more than 25 BLOOM events
BLOOM is a feature event on the UQ calendar each year and 2021 is no exception with over 25 events that engage the UQ community. This year we will see many returning favourites as well as some brand-new attractions to keep you entertained throughout October.
In a UQ first, the Deadly Noize Concert will transform the Forgan Smith lawns into a festival goers’ playground! This brand-new concert features popular upcoming artists like Sycco, Tia Gostelow and Sachém and many local artisan businesses. The concert is a great opportunity for anyone in the community to learn more about indigenous culture and see a new wave of artists and performers making a name for themselves in Queensland and beyond!
If Deadly Noize is a bit too loud for your liking, why not try Opera by the Lake? Kicking off the BLOOM festival on 16 October, Duchene College will be hosting the 7 Sopranos to help raise funds for young women looking to pursue a career in music.
At the end of October, UQ will be cutting the golden ribbon on its brand-new Student Central Precinct. Join a tour to see the state-of-the-art facilities, grab a feed at our welcome BBQ, learn more about the services on offer and get a feel for the new student space!
If you are more of a creative, join artist Yin, for an exclusive, Sip and Paint event by UQ Lakes. Learn how to paint and put your artistic twist on UQ’s iconic jacarandas. There isn’t a better way to relax at this time of year in our opinion!
Engage and learn more about other cultures
Have you always wanted to try crocodile or wattle seed ricotta? Part of the BLOOM experience is being able to discover things you might not have had the chance to. My Dilly Bag’s Aunty Dale and Three Little Birds will bring together the community through a Bush Foods BLOOM luncheon across St Lucia, Gatton, and Herston where you will be served incredible food with a bush flavour twist! Whilst you are enjoying your 3-course meal you will be able to ask questions about the cuisine and how they have created an Indigenous-led Bush Foods industry.
Discover UQ’s Iconic campuses like you’ve never seen them before
If you thought St Lucia campus was beautiful normally, wait until you see it during BLOOM. In October, the University undergoes a natural transformation whereby the jacarandas awash the campus in a sea of purple. If you are looking for a place to capture that iconic selfie or that perfect picnic spot head to Jacaranda Lane, or come nightfall, head to Forgan Smith Lawns to view UQ’s most iconic building be illuminated with an array of lights, acting as the feature backdrop for the festival.
Find ways to give back
UQ BLOOM wouldn’t be what it is today without the generous help of our UQ volunteers and community. Over the course of two weeks many of our volunteers donate their time to help contribute to the buzz around campus. If you want to find out how to become one of UQ’s budding leaders, head to the Volunteer This Summer expo to network with external organisation and UQ staff and find out how you can get involved in this lively community, both now and over the summer. Or if you are feeling generous and want to give back to the community, head to UQ Giving Day where you can learn how to help other UQ students like yourself get access to scholarships in the next few years.
At UQ BLOOM Festival there is something for everyone and the university looks forward to seeing you on campus making the most of the celebration season!
For more information check out the BLOOM website or email
