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UQ BLOOM Festival

Celebrate - Innovate - Illuminate

17 October - 1 November 2020

Celebrate with us at a number of events and activities that bring the UQ community together
Discover a variety of innovative projects, collaborations and achievements produced by UQ students
Enjoy the brilliant light and sounds displays that will illuminate our UQ Lakes; and immerse yourself in beautiful outdoor spaces and exhibits that will be on display throughout the festival

BLOOM festival will be celebrating its third year in 2020, filling St Lucia, Gatton and Herston campus' with vibrant, innovative activities and celebrations for everyone to enjoy. Taking place from Saturday 17 October to Sunday 1 November, the festival will celebrate the UQ community in the midst of the jacaranda season as they drape UQ and wider Brisbane in their colour and beauty. 

Over the course of the festival, we welcome students, staff, alumni and the UQ community to relax under their favourite jacarandas, enjoy the spectacular light show, live music, creative workshops, interactive exhibits and culinary delights. Join us to celebrate this beautiful time of year both online and on-campus. 

Feature events
BLOOM Illuminate
UQ Lakes will illuminate from nightfall with this spectacular light and sound display that has been curated in partnership with PHD student Taana Rose from the School of Music. The display will be free and open to the public from 6-10pm every night from Saturday 17 October to Sunday 1 November. Head to UQ Lakes by Jacaranda Lane at St Lucia campus.
17 Oct - 1 Nov, UQ Lakes > Free Entry
Ibis International Film Festival
The inaugural Ibis International Film Festival (IIFF) will showcase the film-making talents of university students along with a curated collection of screenings from local and international filmmakers. Submit a short film to be featured or register to attend our screenings during BLOOM festival!
Register for a screening
Long Table Dinner
Tickets now Sold Out!

Held outside under the blooming jacarandas at St Lucia campus, the Long Table Dinner is a dining experience like no other. Join us for a spring-inspired meal, live entertainment and brilliant light display on Tuesday 20 October from 5.30pm.
Find out more
Lantern Parade
The Lantern Parade on Friday 30 October aims to lighten the hearts of the community with an enchanted walk across the beautiful St Lucia Campus. The walk will end with a minute of silence for those affected by the challenging events of 2020. This is our opportunity to celebrate the innovation and resilience of the UQ community.
St Lucia
Gatton

By the Lake - Celebrations and Events
Sunset Picnic
On Wednesday 28 October, pick up your Sunset Picnic at UQ Lakes, sit under the blooming jacaranda trees and delight in a shared platter with vintage cheeses, brie topped with honeycomb, seasonal berries, olives and crackers. Spend the evening with friends or family while enjoying live music and the spectacular light and sound show.
Indigenous Blooms Lunch
Enjoy an Indigenous-inspired feast with Aunty Dale Chapman from My Dilly Bag. Dale will talk you through the origins, flavours and importance of the indigenous foods while offering the chance to ask questions and learn as you go. Taste slow-cooked emu, Lemon Myrtle cheesecake, pulled jackfruit and more! Workshops will be held at St Lucia, Gatton and Herston campus.
Tickets now on sale
BEL BLOOMS
On Friday 30 October, BEL students are invited to attend BEL BLOOMS, a free social event with heaps of giveaways, activities, free food, live music and more! Come and celebrate the end of classes for 2020; make new friends, reconnect with old ones, relax and be entertained. Tickets are FREE but strictly limited.
Register now
HASS Celebration Event
On Wednesday 28 October, all HASS coursework students are invited to join us as we celebrate and showcase the incredible contributions that students, staff, alumni and industry partners have made to the HASS Faculty in 2020. The Student Futures Team will be displaying the wonderful initiatives that have built our HASS community through collaborative partnerships. Food and drinks provided.
Register now
Enchanted Blooms
On Thursday 29 October, all postgraduate students from St Lucia, Gatton and Herston are invited to join our end of year celebration! Join us for our enchanted garden-inspired event by Jacaranda Lane while enjoying live music, a delicious dinner, mocktails and roaming entertainment. (Invitation only)
Student Leader Appreciation Night
The Student Leader Appreciation Night celebrates our 2020 UQ student volunteers, mentors and student leaders. This event will be held on-campus on Tuesday 27 October, and online on Wednesday 28 October. (Invitation only)
SSP Showcase
On Monday 19 October, join us as we unpack the ideas, motivations and innovation that go on in the collaborative Student-Staff Partnerships community. Enjoy interactive workshops, panel discussions and keynote presentations online, then join us on campus for our fully catered networking event and poster presentations under the blooming jacarandas.
Register now
Twilight Tunes
Be serenaded under the blooming Jacarandas every night during BLOOM Festival from 4-6pm with our pop-up musicians. Enjoy Kent Tonscheck, Clayton Po Ching, George Hodges, Marvi Sunga, Kelsey Berrington and many more over two weeks by UQ Lakes.
Explore musicians

Workshops
Lantern Making workshops
Decorate your own lantern at these upcoming arts and crafts workshops on every Monday and Wednesday of BLOOM Festival. All lanterns created will be submitted to the closing event of BLOOM the 'UQ Lantern Parade' on Friday 30 October.
Register now
Sip and Paint with Yin!
Tickets now Sold Out!

Learn how to paint your own Jacaranda tree with Yin's Sip and Paint evening workshop on Friday 23 October by UQ Lakes! All participants will receive a canvas, paint and brushes, non-alcoholic drink and snack box.
Another Future Storytelling Workshop
Learn the craft of storytelling and be part of a major public artwork with composer-artist Dr Eve Klein (School of Music). This workshop will teach a method of storytelling through the lens of a personal object. Bring an object or snap a picture to participate.
Find out more
Register
Flower Crown making workshops
Drop in for our flower crown making workshop on Tuesday 20 October. This workshop is one of our most popular during BLOOM! Learn how to make one from scratch and wear it for Halloween, upcoming events or just for fun! Free drop-in workshop.
Find out more
Petals of Possibility Workshops & Installation
Create jacaranda inspired flowers in our daily crafternoon workshops held at Jacaranda Lane and submit messages of hopes and ideas for your future at UQ. All flowers will help build our BLOOM inspired archway. Free drop-in workshops. 12-4pm Monday-Friday during BLOOM Festival.
Find out more
Card and Bracelet making workshops
These free drop-in workshops are a great way to get your creative side flowing. Make bracelets and cards from scratch and send them home to loved ones! Thursday 22 Oct, Tuesday 27 Oct, Thursday 29 Oct 12-2pm.
Find out more

Blooming across UQ
BLOOM Gatton
Head to the Central Walkway for free Lantern Making workshops, Flower crown making workshops, live music, a BLOOM inspired luncheon and so much more!
Discover BLOOM Gatton
BLOOM Herston
Herston Vibes will be in full BLOOM Wednesday 21 from 11am-2pm with a FREE picnic, workshops and adorable puppies! On 28 October, Herston Hangouts is on from 11.30am-1pm with free BLOOM inspired food and drink, flower crown making workshops and much more!
Herston Vibes
Herston Hangouts
BLOOM Online
Can't make it to campus? BLOOM is coming to you online! Celebrate UQ Giving Day online, enjoy BLOOM inspired arts and craft workshop, tune in for Friday cocktail hour, attend celebration events and enjoy live music all from the comfort of your living room!
Discover BLOOM online

UQ St Lucia Jacaranda Walk

Discover the blooming jacarandas across St Lucia by day and UQ Lakes light and sound show by night during BLOOM festival. Follow the jacaranda map to find all the best spots to unwind by a tree or take the perfect selfie. Open to the public. Available all day/night from when the first Jacarandas BLOOM!

Download Jacaranda Map

Student Exhibits and Experiences

Respect is...Installation
The Respect Is…campaign aims to share student voices about what Respect means to you, promoting respectful and safe spaces for all members of our community. Visit the installation along the UQ Lakes Bus Stop pathway from 19-30 October during BLOOM Festival.
Partnerships pathways exhibit
Journey through the UQ Student-Staff Partnerships programs. Explore the highlights, stories and outcomes of collaborations that have effected real change at UQ in a curated poster display. Free exhibit. Tuesday 20 October - Friday 30 October by Jacaranda Lane, UQ Lakes.
IxD Interactive installations
Roam the stunning UQ Lakes from Wednesday 28 October - Saturday 31 October from 4-8pm and see student innovation come to life! IxD showcases the works of IT and interactive design students as they explore the theme 'Exploring Human Connection in a no-touch/own-touch world". Exclusive to UQ BLOOM Festival.
Discover the student exhibits
UQ Racing Car Launch
This event on Friday 30 October is about celebrating the great achievements of the UQ Racing Team and to thank those who have supported them along the way. Join them for a short presentation and unveiling of their 2020 Electric Vehicle. You will also get the chance to view the car up close, chat with the team, and network with industry representatives and university staff
Tickets on sale Friday 2 October

Film and Documentaries
Moonlight Movie: The House with the Clock in its Walls
Enjoy an evening under the stars with our outdoor movie series! Celebrate Halloween with a Moonlight Movie (The House with the Clock in its Walls) in the Natural Amphitheatre at St Lucia or relax with our BLOOM inspired features.
Register now
New Sights (Student Films)
A selection of films from The University of Queensland students, carefully selected and programmed by the UQ Film Appreciation Society from a public submission process. Screened with permission from the respective filmmakers.
Register now
Sound and Vision (Brisbane Music Videos)
From dayglo animation to romantic 16mm, this program showcases the finest of Brisbane film and video makers from the last year. Films include new works from the acclaimed filmmaker Emily Avila (Fitting, In A Cane Field) and music video specialist Nick Maguire. Screened with permission from the respective filmmakers.
Register now
UQ Shop Jacaranda range
Love Jacarandas? Did you know UQ Shop sell Jacaranda inspired merchandise?

Check out their range and order yours today!

COVID Safe Events

All events and spaces are operating in line with current guidelines. We ask that you please practice social distancing at all times and if you have travelled in the last 14 days, been in contact with someone with COVID-19, or if you are feeling unwell or experiencing COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms, please stay at home. Where relevant, you will be required to provide your contact details for contact tracing purposes.

Contact Us

Event enquiries
For all BLOOM related enquiries please contact UQLife: uqlife@uq.edu.au

Individual event enquiries
Please note BLOOM runs multiple events with multiple partners. If you are attending a registered event please contact the details outlined on your registration or ticket for the most accurate contact details for your event on the day.