Coyote Kolb performs at the New England Americana Festival at Church in Boston last year. He returns to Friday to play the festival at Oberon in Harvard Square. (Photo: Steve Wollkind)

The Together electronic music festival left Boston for Cambridge in April, and now the three-day  New England Americana Festival has followed.

The third annual roots-music festival arrives for a three-day stay in Harvard Square starting Thursday, boasting more than 50 local acts in five venues — a significant expansion from its first two years, when it took place at Church in Boston. The expansion allows the festival to add elements such as partnerships with local nonprofits, raffle  and the occasional burlesque performance.

This takes the festival “to a completely different level, cementing itself as a yearly must-see event,” organizers said, giving Cambridge a nod as “a breeding ground and focal point of traditional American music for generations.”

Festivities start Thursday and Friday at Oberon and continues Saturday with a free outdoor stage in Winthrop Park before moving inside to three of the square’s historic venues: legendary Club Passim, Tommy Doyle’s and Charlie’s Kitchen.

Wristbands to enter all venues are $15, and three-day passes are available for $35.

Thursday at Oberon, 2 Arrow St.
$15, doors at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m.
Performers: Atwoods Bluegrass Band, featuring Jimmy Ryan, Erin Royer, Scotty Corneille and Sean Staples; Three Day Threshold; Old Jack; Patrick Coman & The Lo-Fi Angels; Rick Berlin & The Nickle and Dime Band; Chasing Blue; Larcenist; Jeff Conley; Audry Ryan

Friday at Oberon, 2 Arrow St.
$15, doors at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m.
Performers: Dennis Brennan Band; Bow Thayer & The Perfect Trainwreck; Coyote Kolb; John Colvert & The Great Brighton Fire; Sam Reid & The Riot Act; This Way; Tallahassee; Adela & Jude; Eric Royer & His Guitar Machine; and a special performances by Babes in Boinkland

Saturday at the outdoor stage at Winthrop Park
Free from 2 to 7 p.m.
Performers: Sarah Blacker; Greg Klyma; Brian Carrol; Cask Mouse; Fiddlin Quinn & His Big Folks Band

Saturday at Club Passim, 47 Palmer St.
Doors at 6:30 p.m., starting at 7 p.m.
Performers: Ryan Fittzsimmons Band; Susan Cattaneo; The Whiskey Boys; Sam Otis Hill & Co.; The bean Pickers Union; Red Heroine

Saturday at Charlie’s Kitchen, 10 Eliot St.
Doors at 6:30 p.m., starting at 6:50 p.m.
Performers: Abbie Barrett & The Last Date; Dietrich Strause; Daniel Byrnes Band; JD & The Newton Gang; Brian McKenzie; The Little War Twins

Saturday at The Loft Stage at Tommy Doyle’s, 96 Winthrop St.
Doors at 6:30 p.m., starting at 7 p.m.
Performers: The Rationales; Comanchero; Highway Ghosts; The Silks; Jeff Byrd & Dirty Finch; Tad Overbauch & The Late Arrivals