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November 1 - 18

Sculpture by the Sea
A mass exhibition of sculptures held along the spectacular Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk. This year's event features eight Japanese sculptors including distinguished artist Kaoru Matsumoto.

Details: www.sculpturebythesea.com

November 15

Shichigosan, or the seven-five-three festival, is an annual Japanese celebration for girls aged three and seven and boys aged five.

November 23

Labour Thanksgiving Day is a public holiday in Japan.

November 29 - December 8

The 11th Japanese Film Festival will see a sensational line-up of 19 new Japanese films screening at Greater Union Cinemas, George St, Sydney. Sponsored by The Japan Foundation, Sydney.

Details: http://11thjff.jpf-sydney.org

January 1

New Year's Day

The Emperor's Cup Final is the only Japanese football competition in which professional and amateur teams are allowed to compete against one another to decide the best football team in Japan.

January 5-26

The Sydney Festival is Australia's largest annual cultural celebration, offering a rich and diverse program of dance, theatre, music, visual arts, films, forums and free, large-scale outdoor events.

Details: www.sydneyfestival.org.au

January 9-11

Toka Ebisu is a festival to herald business success. People pray to Ebisu, the patron deity of commerce.

Details: www7.ocn.ne.jp/`t-ebisu

January 14

Coming of Age Day (Seijin no hi) is a national holiday of formal ceremonies and celebrations for all Japanese who have, or will, turn 20 that year.

January 15

Koshougatsu means "Little New Years" and is traditionally held on the 15th day of the first lunar month to pray for a rich harvest.

Hadaka Matsuri
Meaning "naked festival", this 800-year-old tradition sees participants clad in loincloths brave cold weather and jostle each other for a Shinto shrine's straw archery target.

January 17

This date marks the 12th anniversary of the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, which claimed more than 6400 lives.

January 26

Australia Day

December 1

Sushi and sashimi workshop
Master sushi chef Hideo Dekura hosts a sushi and sashimi workshop at the Sydney Fish Market. Learn the art of authentic nigiri-zushi, nori-maki-zushi and sashimi.

Details: www.sydneyfishmarket.com

December 2-3

Chichibu Yomatsuri
Chichibu Yomatsuri is one of Japan's three great hikiyama traditional float festivals, with splendid fireworks illuminating the evening winter skies.

Details: chichibu.tv

December 15-18

Kasuga Wakamiya On-Matsuri is a festival of traditional performing arts continuously passed down since the 12th century. Originally people prayed for the eradication of the plague and for the blessing of a rich harvest.

Details: www.kasugataisha.or.jp

December 22

Carols in the Domain, Sydney
Carols in the Domain, Sydney, is Australia's largest outdoor Christmas event.

Details: www.carolsinthedomain.com

December 23

Emperor's Birthday, a public holiday in Japan.

December 25

Christmas Day

December 26

Boxing Day

Launch of the annual Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. This 1170km sailing event always provides a spectacular sight as the yachts leave Sydney Harbour.

Details: rolexsydneyhobart.com

December 31

New Year's Eve

Details: cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nye/

February 2

Natsumatsuri in Sydney, held at Darling Harbour, is a summer festival hosted by the Japan Club of Sydney featuring a spectacle of traditional Japanese dance.

February 3

Setsubun
Meaning the "seasonal division", pan-heated soybeans are thrown either out the door or at a family member wearing a demon mask. The ritual is meant to purify the home and drive away evil spirits.

February 5-11

Sapporo Snow Festival, an international festival now in its 59th year, features enormous and breathtaking snow statues on display in Odori Park in Sapporo, Hokkaido.

Details: www.snowfes.com

February 11

National Foundation Day is a public holiday in Japan.

February 14

Valentine's Day

February 17

Mardi Gras Fair Day, in Sydney's Victoria Park, features live music, games and entertainment with hundreds of food, shopping and community stalls.

Info: www.mardigras.org.au

February 22

"People to People, Place to Place: The Australia Japan Match Box Project"
An exhibition by Leanne and Naomi Shedlezki at the Japan Foundation Gallery.

Details: www.matchboxprojects.com