Celebrate - Innovate - Illuminate
16 - 31 October 2021
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 displays that will illuminate our campus; and immerse yourself in beautiful outdoor spaces and exhibits that will be on display throughout the festival
BLOOM festival will be celebrating its fourth year in 2021, filling St Lucia, Gatton and Herston campuses with vibrant, innovative activities and celebrations for everyone to enjoy. Taking place from Saturday 16 to Sunday 31 October 2021, the festival will celebrate the UQ community during jacaranda season.
Over the course of the festival, we welcome students, staff, alumni and the UQ community to relax under their favourite Jacaranda trees, browse our light installations and interactive exhibits, enjoy live music and workshops and indulge in pop-up picnics and indigenous foods.
We can't wait to celebrate the most beautiful time of year with you.
Feature Events
Opera by the Lake
Kick off BLOOM Festival with 'Australia's most beautiful voices' The 7 Sopranos, by the stunning UQ Lakes. Proceeds from the event will support deserving Duchesne College and UQ School of Music students. Pre-show entertainment by Duchesne College performers. 16 October, 5pm-9.30pm, Duchesne College, St Lucia. Open to community
Long Table Dinner
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 Forgan Smith Lawns hosting 400 people. 20 October, 6-8pm. Open to UQ community and proudly supported by Unisuper.
Deadly Noize
Deadly Noize will shine a light on Australia's biggest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rising stars in the music scene. Turn the volume up with our Deadly Noize concert featuring Sachem, Tia Gostelow and Sycco with a beautiful backdrop of Forgan Smith light display. 23 October, 6-10pm (Gates open 5pm). Open to the public
Giving Day at UQ
Celebrate the generous contributions our UQ community has given that helps support thousands of students achieve their academic endeavours and ensures UQ remains a leader in innovation and research in Australia at Giving Day. Enjoy arts and crafts, free food, activities and challenges across all three campuses. 20 October, All Day. Open to UQ community.
Bush Foods BLOOM Lunches
Enjoy a tasty Bush Food experience with Aunty Dale Chapman from My Dilly Bag and Three Little Birds. Dale will introduce the bush foods you are eating and drinking while offering the chance to ask questions and Dale will be joined by another of the research team to talk about creating an Indigenous-led Bush Foods industry. Taste crocodile sausages, Lemon Myrtle relish, Wattle seed Tiramisu and more! The experiences will be held at St Lucia, Gatton and Herston campus
St Lucia
26 October, 12-1pm, UQ Art Museum Lawn, St Lucia
Herston
27 October, 12-1pm, Event Space, Mayne Medical Building, Herston
Gatton
28 October, Morrison Hall, 12-1pm, Gatton
In the Walkway (Gatton)
Pancakes with MFC (Gatton)
Enjoy a free breakfast at our Gatton campus under the blooming Jacarandas in the Central Walkway! 19 & 26 October, 8-11am (UQ Gatton students only).
Gatton Chill Sessions (Gatton)
Enjoy outdoor lunches, lantern making workshops, lawn games and music and entertainment for our last two chill sessions! 20 & 27 October, 10am-2pm (UQ Gatton students only).
Buds in BLOOM (Gatton)
Reflect on the successes of the Gatton community for 2021, over canapes, live entertainment and networking drinks to celebrate another successful year. Open to UQ staff, students and community. 27 October 5-8pm (UQ Gatton community only).
Words in BLOOM (Gatton)
Do you have a favourite poem, or are you a complete poetry novice? Take a mindful study break with drop-in poetry readings and snacks hosted by the Library! 20 October, 4-6pm (UQ Gatton community only).
Art Workshop (Gatton)
Learn how to paint your own Jacaranda or Blooming Flower with assistance from artist Evangeline Goodfellow and take home your creation! All materials included. 26 October, 11am-2pm. (UQ Gatton community only)
UQU Drive in Movie
UQ Union's drive in cinema is back! Grab the popcorn and your favourite people and watch during rain or shine in the comfort of your own car! 19 October, 6-9pm (UQ Gatton students Only).
By the Lakes - Music, sunsets and picnics
Sunset Picnic
Delight in a shared platter with vintage cheeses, deli meats, olives and crackers. Spend the evening with friends or family while enjoying live music under the blooming Jacarandas. 26 October, 4.30-6.30pm. Open to UQ community.
Sip and Paint with Yin!
Learn how to paint your own Jacaranda tree with Yin's Sip and Paint evening workshop by UQ Lakes! All participants will receive a canvas, paint and brushes, non-alcoholic drink and snack box. 22 October, 4.30-6.30pm. Open to UQ community.
Twilight Tunes
Be serenaded under the blooming Jacarandas. BYO your own picnic and relax in UQ St Lucia's most iconic spot on campus. 4-7pm, 21 & 22 October. Open to UQ community.
Photo Spots and Walking Trails
Tunnel of Light Installation
The tunnel of light will be an illuminated walkway on Upper Forgan Smith Lawns covered in lights and lanterns for the community to enjoy over a two week period. A smaller iteration will also be available at Gatton to enjoy. 16 October - 5 November, Forgan Smith Lawns. Open to the public.
BLOOM Illuminate (Forgan Smith)
This year BLOOM is illuminating one of UQ's most iconic buildings - Forgan Smith. The light display will be the backdrop for all major events at this years BLOOM festival. Enjoy the light display when studying at night or visiting for an event. 16 October - 5 November, Forgan Smith Lawns. Open to the public.
Jacaranda Lane
Jacaranda Lane is the perfect selfie spot on campus. Draped in Jacaranda Trees, this location brings visitors from all over Brisbane in wedding gowns, graduation outfits and cosplay. Pop by any time day or night for the ultimate photoshoot. October, 18-31 October, UQ Lakes. Open to the public.
Jacaranda Trail
Bike, cycle, walk or scoot around St Lucia campus to see the blossoming Jacarandas. Unwind by a tree, take the perfect selfie, stop for a picnic, or just enjoy a day out with friends. This is the most beautiful time of year to visit UQ so add it to your must see Jacaranda trails of Brisbane!
Showcases, partnerships, innovation and careers
Student-Staff Partnerships Showcase
Celebrate the wonderful work carried out by the SSP community during 2021 as they share their partnership experiences and learnings with the community. 20 October, 2.30-6pm (Open to UQ community and external).
Ventures Showcase
The Ventures Showcase celebrates a community of innovators and leaders that have grown through Ventures programs and activities throughout the year. 21 October, 5.30-8pm (UQ community only).
BLOOM-ing Through Failure
Failure is just another word for learning, right? Learn how you can rewrite your failures into lessons for success! Join students, staff and alumni for a night under the Jacarandas and learn how to BLOOM from failure! Catering will be provided. 18 October, 5.30-7pm (UQ community only).
Volunteers in BLOOM - Volunteer this Summer!
A number of organisations are offering volunteering opportunities that you can engage in over the Summer break. Find out what's on offer via our mini Volunteer Expo. 20 October, 12-2pm. (UQ community only).
What's Next? Ideas in BLOOM
Interested in postgraduate studies? Come engage with the UQ community, take in the knowledge and success of our academics and alumni, and consider the advantages of BLOOM-ing into postgraduate studies. 26 October, 6-8pm (UQ community only).
Student Central Housewarming
UQ is innovating how we support students with a brand new location - Student Central. Help us celebrate the opening with activities, exhibits, tours and entertainment. We're also celebrating the launch of student art exhibition Who We Are at 3.30pm. Drop in anytime between 11am and 6pm on 25 October (UQ community only).
Activities and Workshops
Outdoor Yoga with UQ Sport
Monday 18 and 25 October at 7.30-8.15am
Japanese Flower Crafting
25 October, 12-2pm
Rhiannon Wilde Discusses Henry Hamlet's Heart
27 October, 12-1pm
An evening with Native Bees
21 October, 4.30-6.30pm
Sustainability Recycling pop-up stall
20 October, 11am-1pm
Sustainability Repair Cafe
18 October, 11am-2pm
Clothes Mending Workshop
18 October, 12-1pm
Words in Bloom (St Lucia)
22 October, 12-2pm
Art, Music and Student Exhibits
Don't be Evil - UQ Art Museum Exhibition
Referencing and materialising the Internet and its contents, interactive installations and screen-based works meet experiments in Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality that require embodiment. October 2021-January 2022 (Open to the public).
Sketch Chamber Orchestra: Gameplay
A Semi-improvised music concert, based on game approaches to music. The performance will display new music composed by students from the school of music using strings, brass, reeds, vocals and piano. 21 October, 6-7pm (Open to UQ community).
Jolly Jumper Rig Exhibit
Discover the genius of our UQ first year Engineers as they explore gravity, structures and expansion. The Jolly Jumper provides a tangible demonstration of how carbon fibre reinforcing can improve the structural integrity of timber beams. Jump on and give it go! 18-22 October, All day, opposite Library (open to public).
Maidens Sans Frontiers: Japanese Girl Culture in Australia Exhibition
This exhibition celebrates and investigates contemporary Japanese girl (shōjo) culture as it manifests in Australia, showcasing cosplay, fashion, photographs, video, graphics, posters, postcards, books, manga, and collectibles. 18-25 October, All day (Open to UQ community).
IxD Music Installation
Explore the exciting designs of four IxD digital musical instrument installations that were created and developed by our very own UQ students for BLOOM. The exhibits provide audiences with interaction and unusual interfaces to create music and engaging light displays. 21 October, 4-7pm (Open to the public).
Design Computing Studio 3 Showcase
View the innovative IT projects developed by the Design Computing Studio 3 Build course. People interested in seeing student work are welcome to drop by and see the breadth of student projects. 28 October, 2-6pm (Open to UQ community).
Design Computing Studio 1 Tradeshow
View the work of students from Design Computing Studio 1: Interactive Technologies have designed and developed including interactive web applications that highlight open datasets from the Australian Government. 26 October, 5.30-8.30pm (Open to UQ community).
Pathways to Employability
View the forest of alumni stories near the Art Museum lawn. Discover the many and varied pathways that have been taken by alumni after their time at UQ. 18-29 October, All day (Open to public).
Celebration and Invitation Events
Celebration of Volunteers
The annual celebration for students involved in volunteering, mentoring and representation this year! Chat with friends, have a drink and be proud of everything you have achieved in 2021! (Invite only).
Gatton Valedictory Dinner
Gatton Halls students will be saying farewell for the year over a fun, relaxed evening with lifelong friends (Invite only).
Herston Vibes
This is a chance for all our Herston campus students to get involved in BLOOM Festival and celebrate achievements throughout the year! Join us for food trucks, puppy love and other fun activities! FREE for current students from Medicine, Public Health and Dentistry only (Invite only).
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.