For sixteen days bands and performers will play at the outdoor museum.

Sovereign Hill deputy chief executive officer Tim Sullivan said the performers would be playing the songs that made us and continue to make us.

"It's mainly traditional and acoustic music that tells the story about the Australian experience on the goldfields," he said.

"The weather let us down on the first two or three days of the festival, but we hope it will build over the weekend."

Mr Sullivan said it was a joy to hear Sovereign Hill so full of music.

"It's so atmospheric," he exclaimed.

"And it's so friendly. Everyone just sits around and jams together on the verandahs."

There's plenty of entertainment for the kids too with Coco's Lunch for Kids performing daily and African drummers Afrobeat.

"It's really becoming an anchor in Ballarat's cultural calendar," Mr Sullivan said.

"Some of the bands loved it so much last year, they're back again."

Tomorrow The Verses, formerly known as Killing Heidi, will perform on the Pond Stage from 2pm to 3pm.

On Sunday, October 5, Australian music icon Deborah Conway will take to the same stage from 2.30pm to 3.30pm.

Tickets to the music festival are included with entry.