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Welcome to Big Wig 2023

Events for children and families as a part of Wigtown Book Festival

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A Family Day Out

Family Tickets

We try to keep our events as accessible as possible. We know that even at an affordable ticket price, numbers can add up quickly for a family-sized booking so we're offering the following discounts.

£9 per event for a family of 4

£11 per event for a family of 5

You can book your tickets online, in person at the box office or over the phone at 01998 403222

Family-Friendly Places to Eat

The Festival Cafe

Our annual pop-up food and drink hub, this year's Festival Café will be run by Absolute Roasters of Glasgow, a visiting Tripadvisor-five-star brunch café specialising in specialty coffee and cold brew.

Festival Opening Hours:

Sunday 9:30-5pm

Monday - Friday 10:30-5pm

Saturday-Sunday 9:30-5pm

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Family Spaces

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Spend time in the sunshine in between events at Wigtown's swing parks

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Wigtown Library will be open as a drop-in space throughout the festival.

Foggie toddle

Foggie Toddle children's bookshop carries gifts, children's titles both new and secondhand, and spaces to play.

Find your way around with the Big Wig map

View Map

To encourage a new generation of readers, we're offering under 18s...

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Meet Big Wig

Keep a lookout for our mascot Big Wig! He'll be wandering Wigtown in search of a good story, but he's always happy to stop for a photo.

Big Wig will also be at the Mercat Cross at 12 noon each weekend day during the festival (weather dependent).


Big Wig Activity Pack

Free Big Wig activity packs will be available in venues across Wigtown. Enjoy games, puzzles and activities to spark imaginations, as well as a chance to win a prize with our Spot the Big Wig treasure hunt.


Spot the Big Wig

Follow the map in the activity pack to find Big Wig stickers hidden around Wigtown. Find the hidden letters to win a Big Wig badge.