The Illawarra Folk Festival turns 30 next month and to mark the occasion the greatest celebration and collection of Australian and international folk talent will perform.

Boasting the biggest line-up ever, with 180 local, national and international acts locked in, 10,000 music enthusiasts are expected to fill Bulli Showground on the January 15-18 weekend.

That's music to the ears of festival artistic director David De Santi, who believes folk music plays an integral part in bringing the community together.

De Santi, who joined local musicians to officially launch the eclectic festival on December 10, said the event also exposed people to new and exciting music.

The pearl anniversary festival will feature leading Australian acts Stephen Pigram, Eric Bogle, Ted Egan and Claude Hay. International performers include past festival favourite Bettina Schelker from Switzerland, Canada's Anna Ludlow Band and acts from India, the US, UK and Denmark.

Bogle returns to the festival he first played in 1988 and again in 2012.

"Eric Bogle is a true international icon of folk music, and it is wonderful to have him back at our festival for a third time," De Santi said.

"Having Ted Egan on the same bill is a bonus. It means we will have two of Australia's iconic folk music performers in the Illawarra together.

Information, tickets: www.illawarrafolkfestival.com.au