One of the most iconic festivals in the country returns to the Live Music Capital of the World this weekend. That’s right, Austin City Limits is here! Whether you’re already attending, looking for tickets or simply daydreaming about going next year, here’s everything you need to know before heading to Austin City Limits.
Austin City Limits weekend one starts on Friday, October 7th, and runs through Sunday, October 9th. Weekend two follows directly after, starting on Friday, October 14th through Sunday, October 16th. On the Friday dates, gates open at noon and close at 10pm. Saturday and Sunday open at 11am and close at 10pm.
The festival takes place at the beautiful Zilker Park, nestled right in Downtown Austin, and draws an estimated 450,000 people per year.
Are you still looking for tickets to Austin City Limits weekend 1 or weekend 2? Find last-minute wristbands on SeatGeek today. Right now, full 3-day weekend tickets cost ~$330 and one-day passes range from ~$150 to ~$250 depending on the day.
ACL is bringing in some massive headliners to Zilker Park this year. Headliners include Lil Nas X, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Flume, P!nk, The Chicks, SZA, Diplo, Paramore, Kasey Musgraves and many more! Check out the full Austin City Limits lineup to see the full list of performers.
Preparing for a long day at a music festival is not the simplest task. It’s even more difficult during a hot day underneath the texas sun. Before you head over to the festival gates, make sure you have these items ready to go.
Before you begin packing, make sure you’re following the bag policy. You can bring in a bag that’s made of clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and isn’t larger than 12” x 12” x 6”. Permitted bag types are tote bags, drawstring bags, and small purses. Remember, all bags will be searched before entering the festival.
Hydration packs like CamelBaks can be brought in and don’t have to be clear, but they can’t have more than two pockets.
Now that you know what type of bag you can bring, here’s what you should be packing for ACL:
Your wristband, wallet and ID
Reusable water bottle or CamelBak
Sunglasses
Portable battery charger
Sunscreen
Lawn blanket
Hand sanitizer
Tissues and wet wipes
A light jacket for the nights
As always for large festivals, there are a number of prohibited items you shouldn’t bring. In general, the items you’d expect to be prohibited are prohibited. Austin City Limits Festival doesn’t allow outside alcohol, illegal substances, drones, glass containers, etc. If you’re unsure about a certain item, check the full list of prohibited items.
The weather in Austin can be a bit unpredictable. Weekend 1 calls for mostly hot days, cooler nights and cloudy skies. Expect high 80s and lower 90s in the day and a drop into the mid-high 70s once the sun goes down. Plan on wearing typical summer festival clothing, but consider an extra light layer for when the sun goes down.
Although the forecast can change, Weekend 2 is looking a bit worse weather-wise. Each day for weekend 2 has a 30-40% chance of rain with highs of 85 and lows of 60. Keep close tabs on the weather forecast as weekend 2 approaches, but plan to have a rain jacket handy.
The music is the biggest draw to Austin City Limits, but the food is not to be overlooked. The food lineup is almost as highly-anticipated as the music lineup. Okay maybe not quite… but the ACL fare highlights Austin’s eclectic food scene beautifully. Here are a few standout vendors to keep an eye out for around the ACL Eats Food Court:
Koko’s Bavarian: Biergarten with authentic German fare like sausages, bratwursts and pretzels. Why not celebrate Oktoberfest at ACL?
Mighty Cone: A staple of Austin City Limits, Mighty Cone provides the ideal festival food. Chicken tenders wrapped in a tortilla cone are perfect for clean eating on the go.
Austin BBQ: Barbecue is a must in Austin, and now there’s an entire section of Zilker Park specifically dedicated to Austin pitmasters. Find it near the ACL Wine Lounge for mouthwatering smoked meats and a selection of beers.
Craft Beer Hall: If you’re on the hunt for the most beer options, swing by the Craft beer Hall.
Bao’d Up: A newer addition to the ACL food scene, Bao’d Up is great for on-the-go bao buns.
Voodoo Donuts: Although Voodoo Donuts isn’t from Austin, it’s a great stop for a sweet treat among a sea of savory food.
Unsurprisingly, traffic around Austin for ACL weekends gets hectic. One of the easiest options for getting to and from Austin City Limits are the complimentary shuttles. The shuttles board at Republic Square Park and drop off for return at the same spot. Shuttles start running at noon on Fridays and 11am on the weekends. The shuttles come every 15 minutes.
Another great way to get around Downtown Austin are the scooters and bike rentals. There are plenty of these around Downtown and should provide easy access to Zilker Park. Make sure to obey the laws of the road and watch out for pedestrians and cars, as it’s going to be busy.
As always, ridesharing is always an option. However, know that prices will likely be very expensive over the weekend and there could be road closures and interruptions around the ACL entrances.
Now that you know the essentials for your ACL weekend, here are some of our favorite pro tips to ensure your weekend is one to remember.
Get the official Austin City Limits app for the best schedule and map information.
Stay hydrated at all times. As we mentioned earlier, the Austin heat can be a lot, especially for those who aren’t from the area. Keep that water bottle filled and at the ready.
Layer up for potentially unpredictable weather. The last thing you want is to be caught in the rain without a jacket.
Plan your ideal day before heading in. There are many different stages and performers at the park, so plan ahead using the ACL Schedule.
Explore the various booths around the festival for free swag, food, contests, giveaways and more! Check out the Hulu Motel and American Express Experience.
Now that you’re fully prepared for Austin City Limits, go out and hit Zilker Park for a weekend you won’t soon forget.