WHEN: Fridays 5-8pm, February 8 and 22, March 1 and 15

WHERE: Alfred Deakin Place, Camp Street

INFO: facebook.com/BallaratBackyardTasters

SWEET sounds and good food are about to take over Ballarat's Alfred Deakin Place as the Backyard Tasters festival gets underway tonight.

Bringing together some of the region's best food vendors and live performers, visitors are invited to pack a picnic and start the weekend off with a relaxing night out in the heart of the arts precinct.

With the event taking place on four Fridays in February and March, organiser Deborah Klein said all visitors needed to bring was good company.

"The aim is to bring some life to the Alfred Deakin Place and to help Ballarat celebrate the end of summer and start of autumn," she said.

"We have some fabulous performing artists here in town so over the course of the four nights we have 17 different performing groups for people to enjoy over a glass of wine and some nice food."

Yesterday performers Amie Brulee joined Alain Gayra of Le Petit Patissier and Melissa Staley of Sweet Decadence at the Gallery to get ready for Friday's first instalment. Other performers will include Paige Duggan, Lily Parker, the John Chamberlain Band and Levi Anderson with food from local vendors including the Ballarat Taco Van, Cafe Muzikya and Share Africa.

"We will go ahead rain hail or shine, using the Art Gallery of Ballarat annexe as a back up location," Ms Klein said.

The Art Gallery of Ballarat, Backspace Gallery and nearby B1 Artspace will hold open house nights to coincide with the event.