[2] The Winnipeg Folk Festival hosts over 70 artists annually from nearly 10 different countries[4] including Australia, Colombia, Iceland, Ireland, Mexico, Netherlands, Niger, United Kingdom and more with the majority of the acts coming from Canada and the United States.

Past performers include Bahamas, Joan Baez, Barenaked Ladies, Blue Rodeo, Oscar Brand, Brandi Carlile, Bruce Cockburn, City and Colour, Courtney Barnett, Ray Davies, Death Cab for Cutie, Elle King, Mimi Farina, Feist, Fleet Foxes, Stephane Grappelli, Great Big Sea, Arlo Guthrie, Half Moon Run, Emmylou Harris, Japanese Breakfast, Levon Helm, John Hiatt, Jason Mraz, Kacey Musgraves, k.d.

lang, K'naan, Lyle Lovett, Nick Lowe, Natalie MacMaster, Odetta, Passenger, Pete Seeger, Sheryl Crow, The Shins, Stan Rogers, The Strumbellas, Sudan Archives, Jeff Tweedy, Townes van Zandt, Kurt Vile, Weyes Blood, and Wilco.

Each year the Winnipeg Folk Festival showcases local Manitoba talent including Begonia, Boniface, The Bros. Landreth, John K. Samson, Leonard Sumner, Living Hour, Richard Inman, Roger Roger, Royal Canoe, William Prince and more.

[9] The event depended on the collective work of many local volunteers so the organizers developed an organizational structure that embodied their philosophy that everyone contributing was a significant participant.