A colourful landscape of giant, inflatable glowing lanterns has taken over Subiaco as part of the beloved Subi Blooms festival, which is returning to the city for the Mother’s Day weekend.
New Lantern Installation Lights Up Market Square Park
Unveiled on Thursday, the new installation titled The Light Within is now open to the public, transforming Subiaco’s Market Square Park into a glowing garden every evening until May 10. Designed by acclaimed Australian artist Matthew Aberline, the installation was first exhibited in Singapore and Shenzhen before making its Western Australia debut.
Aberline, known for his exuberant, large-format inflatables, said the exhibition is designed to reconnect audiences with their inner sense of wonder and joy. “The work is about drawing people away from their screens and devices and inviting them into this genuinely beautiful, vibrant space — filled with the most gorgeous colours and patterns,” he said.
Subi Blooms x Gather Festival Returns
The installation is part of the city’s returning Subi Blooms x Gather festival, which takes place every Mother’s Day weekend. Now in its eighth year, the festival will again transform Subiaco into a vibrant destination featuring 18 large-scale botanical installations.
This year’s event is headlined by Bryce Heyworth, founder and creative director of Sydney’s September Studio. His bold, sculptural floral designs and signature dance videos are well known among his more than 1.6 million Instagram followers. Heyworth will collaborate with Perth floral studio Fox & Rabbit to create the festival’s opening installation at the Subiaco Oval heritage gates.
From there, visitors can follow a floral trail through Subiaco, up Rokeby Road to the library and museum. Along the trail, visitors can expect to see a cottage garden created using Australian natives, a laneway dressed in rainbow florals, a play of light and dark florals inspired by the sun and moon, and walk beneath the dappled light of a forest canopy at Kannis Laneway.
Illuminated Installations and Nighttime Experience
Installations along the trail will be illuminated after dark, allowing visitors to experience the festival from day through to evening as the artworks glow throughout the precinct. Led by renowned florists Rebecca Const and Lara Rose, the 2026 festival will reflect this year’s theme “Flora Aurora”.
Mayor David McMullen said the festival was an annual highlight, bringing in tens of thousands of visitors each year. “The festival is a celebration of art, nature, and community, and this year, we’re inviting everyone to come and experience Subiaco in a whole new light,” he said.
The festival runs from Friday 8 May to Sunday 10 May. For more information, visit the See Subiaco website.
