Festival Information
Adelaide is home to many established and emerging artists, and we’re proud to showcase local talent at Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival.
Art and Craft Stalls
Want to learn more about South Australia’s premier Japanese festival? Find all your answers about Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival in Adelaide.
FAQs
Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival
Kodomo no Hi is Adelaide’s largest Japanese Festival, held annually since 1995. The Festival is a celebration of the cultural and social links between the people of Japan and Australia. It is a great day for people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy Japanese music, performances, craft, food, martial arts and much more.
Kodomo no Hi means ‘Children’s Day’ and is a Japanese national holiday which takes place on May 5 – the fifth day of the fifth month. It is a day set aside to respect children’s personalities and to celebrate their happiness. Families fly koinobori or carp streamers for each child in their house. In Japanese folklore, the carp is a symbol of determination and vigor, overcoming all obstacles to swim upstream. Samurai warrior figurines and samurai kabuto helmets are also displayed in homes to inspire strength and bravery.
Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival will be held on Sunday 5 May 2024 at Thebarton Community Centre, Torrensville.
Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival is organised by the Japan Australia Friendship Association (JAFA).
Festival Details
Highlights from 2023
Get Involved
Volunteers
Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival is made possible through the help of volunteers.
Volunteering is a great way to learn some new skills, gain experience and make friends.
- Cooking
- Helping with activities and stalls
- Welcoming visitors
- Supervising carpark, etc.
- Setting up and cleaning up the festival
Availability:
- Volunteers should be available from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on the day of the festival (Sunday, May 4, 2025).
- We also appreciate volunteers who can assist with set-up on Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (attendance optional but highly valued).
Why Volunteer?
- Rich and rewarding
- Experience and an opportunity to make new friends.
- Valuable opportunity to gain experience and references
- Free lunch
- Invitation to Thank You Party
- Free time during the Festival to enjoy the events
- A volunteer certificate (upon request)
Important Dates:
Friday, April 11 (11:59 PM): Volunteer registration closes
Saturday, April 26 (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM): Volunteer Information Session (Location TBC)
Saturday, May 3 (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM): Festival set-up (Location TBC, attendance optional)
Sunday, May 4 (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM): Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival event day (festival runs from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM, but volunteers are needed for setup and cleanup)
Saturday, May 17: Volunteer Thank You Party (Location TBA)
To register as a volunteer, please complete your details here, and the Kodomo no Hi subcommittee will be in touch soon.
If you have any questions, please contact volunteers@knhjapanfestival.com.au
Volunteer Managers
Want to take on a role of greater responsibility? Want to gain management experience? Want to help run the festival, but don’t have time to commit to joining the festival subcommittee? We need volunteer managers to be our eyes and ears on the day of the festival.
We are looking for volunteer managers who
- Preferably have experience volunteering or at least attending the festival, or have experience in a managerial role at a similar festival;
- Can use initiative when required, think on their feet, keep calm under pressure and problem solve effectively;
- Can commit to a) one meeting with JAFA one month before the festival; b) one volunteer meeting two weeks before the festival; c) working on the day of the festival and if possible; d) helping set up on the Saturday before the festival.
We are looking to fill the following volunteer manager positions:
- Carpark Manager
- Changeroom Supervisor
- Crafts Manager (origami, koinobori colouring)
- Entrance Manager
- Environment and Crowd Control Manager
- Karuta Supervisor
- Photography Coordinator
- Stage Manager/Stage Assistant
Stallholder (Arts and Crafts)
We are looking for Arts and crafts vending stallholders that are friendly, respectful and honest, and can demonstrate the values of JAFA through Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival. We appreciate the ongoing support of many participants over the years and we hope to build a strong and lasting relationship with all stallholders.
Stallholder (Food)
We are looking for Food vending stallholders that are friendly, respectful and honest, and can demonstrate the values of JAFA through Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival. We appreciate the ongoing support of many participants over the years and we hope to build a strong and lasting relationship with all stallholders.
Stallholder (Business Display)
We are looking for business display stallholders that are friendly, respectful and honest, and can demonstrate the values of JAFA through Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival. We appreciate the ongoing support of many participants over the years and we hope to build a strong and lasting relationship with all stallholders.