The festival is in its 29th year and growing by the year according to director Christine Atwell.

The upcoming festival is highlighted with several talented folk musicians, including founding member of 1960s band The Seekers' Keith Potger.

Tarkine-based singer Claire Anne Taylor will also lend her voice to the festival.

Ms Atwell said 36 acts overall will perform, handpicked by the festival committee among many applicants.

"We're excited to have Claire Anne Taylor who was recently voted Tasmania's best live voice," she said.

"We had her last year and booked her immediately for this year.

"She's fantastic and she brings a crowd as well which is what we're aiming for.

"We do try to have a balance ... giving an opportunity to regional and Tasmanian artists as well as mainland and international ones."

Ms Atwell said it was the warm, welcoming and intimate feel to the festival that kept performers and patrons alike returning to the weekend.

"The folk festival is a small festival on the scale of Australian folk festivals - it's more of a boutique festival and we like it like that," she said.

"We always aim to grow the festival to of course makes the festival sustainable.

"The best way to describe it is like a family gathering and I think that we've done that with some repeat artists who've gotten to know the area and the people."

The festival runs from January 17-19 at various venues around George Town.

"George Town is one of the few smaller towns that can sustain a festival like this with its venues ... our halls are beautiful," Ms Atwell said.