Music Festival

Austin City Limits (ACL)

Two-weekend music festival held in Zilker Park, Austin, TX, featuring a diverse lineup across nine stages every October.

Austin, USA

October

large attendance

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Music Genres

multiplerockpophip-hopindie

About Austin City Limits (ACL)

Two-weekend music festival held in Zilker Park, Austin, TX, featuring a diverse lineup across nine stages every October.

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Visit the official website for tickets, lineup information, and more details about this amazing music festival.

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Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL) is a two-weekend music festival held every October at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. Founded in 2002, it spans nine stages and features a multi-genre lineup covering rock, pop, hip-hop, indie, electronic, and country. The 2026 edition runs October 2 to 4 and October 9 to 11, marking the festival's 25th anniversary.

What Is ACL

ACL takes over Austin's Zilker Park for two consecutive three-day weekends each fall. The festival is produced by C3 Presents, the same team behind Lollapalooza. It features around 130 acts across nine stages, mixing headline performers with emerging talent.

The festival is known for its genre diversity. A single day can include a pop headliner, a hip-hop act, an indie rock band, and a country artist on adjacent stages. Food vendors reflect Austin's food culture, with local restaurants operating booths throughout the park.

General admission and GA+ tickets for weekend one of the 2026 edition sold out within hours of going on sale on May 5, 2026.

2026 Lineup and 25th Anniversary

The 2026 headliners are Charli xcx, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Twenty One Pilots, Lorde, Skrillex (Weekend 1), Kings of Leon (Weekend 2), and The xx.

The supporting lineup includes Turnstile, Labrinth, Lola Young, The Chainsmokers, Geese, Young Miko, Bleachers, SOFI TUKKER, Parcels, The War On Drugs, Leon Thomas, Brandon Flowers (Weekend 1), Blood Orange, Lykke Li, Suki Waterhouse, Amyl and the Sniffers, Snow Strippers, and Steve Aoki.

The 2026 edition also features a strong slate of emerging artists including Sienna Spiro, Audrey Hobert, Paris Paloma, Skye Newman, and Claire Rosinkranz, plus Latin artists like Young Miko, Rodrigo y Gabriela, and rusowsky.

Tickets and Practical Info

ACL offers several ticket tiers:

General Admission (GA): Standard three-day pass for one weekend
GA+: Includes express entry, dedicated lounge access, and complimentary drinks
VIP: Premium viewing areas, air-conditioned lounges, and dedicated food and beverage service
Platinum: All VIP perks plus on-stage viewing, dedicated concierge, and exclusive merchandise

Layaway plans are available at 50% down. Hotels near Zilker Park fill up quickly, so book accommodations months in advance. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is the closest major airport, about 20 minutes from the festival site.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

ACL is one of the few major US festivals that consistently books emerging artists alongside headliners. The festival's Austin roots mean it pays attention to Texas-based acts, and its nine stages give smaller artists real exposure to large crowds.

Getting an ACL slot can be a career accelerator. A strong set on a secondary stage can lead to booking agent interest, streaming playlist additions, and bigger festival offers. Read our music festival strategy guide for specific tactics on getting booked.

If you are based outside the US and want to play ACL, you will need a work visa. Our international touring guide covers visa requirements and logistics. Use our tour revenue calculator to model what an Austin run could earn.