Organisers of the annual January event say they expect to welcome 30,000 people to Dumfries across ten days of music and performance timed to coincide with Robert Burns’ birthday.
Executive producer Graham Main said: “Big Burns Supper is Dumfries at its very best – and we all play a part in that.
“We encourage everyone to invite friends and family to come to the festival. We’re having a party, and the whole world is invited.”
An impressive line-up of headliners join ‘Shout’ singer Lulu, Scottish classical violinist Nicola Benedetti and singer songwriter King Creosote.
Sharing the bill are country and folk musician Charlie Landsborough, folk singer Seth Lakeman, the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain and Hackney Colliery Band.
Lulu will entertain audiences with a special Big Burns Supper show which will take place on Friday January 20 at 9 pm.
The Carnival will make a return on the Sunday January 22 and features a community cast of over 2000 who will take to the streets for an explosion of creativity and community under the theme of “Tam O’Shanter”.
Burns Night Live will run on January 25 as a major celebration of Dumfries and Galloway and a way for all the family to celebrate at the earlier show time of 6.30 pm.
And an interactive Haggis Hunt will run for the duration of the festival and will see the audience looking for 16 different Hamish the Haggis mascots hidden throughout the town centre.
Graham Main said: “This year’s programme offers something for everybody, with shows and events for all tastes and ages.
“We have tried to create a space where lots of different people can come together.”
The new ten-day format festival runs from January 20 to 29, with the full programme set to be announced at 5.59 pm on St Andrews Day.
