The 7th Kids Japanese Festival – Hello Japan

Come to the FREE Kids Japanese Festival – Hello Japan on Friday, 23 January 2026, during the school holidays at the Ellen Melville Centre. This fun-filled festival invites children and families to dive into the colourful world of Japanese culture.

What’s On:
– Screenings of My Neighbour Totoro and Spy X Family CODE: White
– Special live collaborative performance combining Taiko drumming and Japanese Calligraphy
– Special live Kendama performance & Kids Kendama Workshop
– Kids Taiko Drum Workshop
– Japanese Calligraphy Workshop
– Japanese paper folding (Origami) & paper cutting (Kirie) Workshop
– Kids Yukata (Casual Summer Kimono) and Happi (Festival Jacket) Dressing
– Fun games: Bouncy Ball Scoop, Yo-Yo Balloon Scooping, UFO Catcher, Japanese toys
– Free popcorn & Candy Floss for all kids!

Free Animation Screening (In English / No booking required):
– 10:30am – My Neighbor Totoro (G)
– 2:00pm – Spy X Family CODE: White (PG)

Presented by Ellen Melville Centre, Auckland Council, the Consulate-General of Japan in Auckland, and The Japan Foundation.