Austin City Limits (ACL)
Two-weekend music festival held in Zilker Park, Austin, TX, featuring a diverse lineup across nine stages every October.
Music Genres
Two-weekend music festival held in Zilker Park, Austin, TX, featuring a diverse lineup across nine stages every October.
Visit the official website for tickets, lineup information, and more details about this amazing music festival.
Get TicketsAustin 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.
Notable Past Headliners
ACL has booked a wide range of headliners since its first edition in 2002. Here is a look at headliners from recent years:
| Year | Headliners |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Charli xcx, RUFUS DU SOL, Twenty One Pilots, Lorde, The xx, Skrillex (W1), Kings of Leon (W2) |
| 2025 | Hozier, Luke Combs, Cage the Elephant, Empire of the Sun, Sabrina Carpenter, The Strokes, Doechii, Djo, John Summit, Feid, T-Pain, MK.gee, The Killers |
| 2024 | Dua Lipa, Tyler, the Creator, Chris Stapleton, Blink-182, Sturgill Simpson, Pretty Lights, Leon Bridges, Khruangbin |
| 2023 | Kendrick Lamar, Foo Fighters, Mumford and Sons, The Lumineers, Shania Twain (W1), The 1975 (W2), Odesza, Alanis Morissette, Hozier |
| 2022 | Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lil Nas X, Kacey Musgraves, SZA, Phoenix, The Chicks |
Foo Fighters have headlined ACL three times (2008, 2015, and 2023), making them one of the festival's most frequently booked rock acts. Their 2023 ACL TV taping, which aired on PBS, featured Dave Grohl performing a solo acoustic version of "Everlong" to close the show. The performance was shared on the official Austin City Limits YouTube channel:
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.
One of the most talked-about moments from the 2025 ACL Festival was Sabrina Carpenter's headlining set on Saturday night, where she brought out Shania Twain for a surprise duet of "That Don't Impress Me Much." Carpenter, who headlined Coachella the following April, also performed "Espresso" and "Please Please Please" during the set. Her official music video for "Please Please Please" has over 700 million views:
Kendrick Lamar has been one of the defining artists of ACL's past decade, headlining in 2013, 2016, and 2023. His 2016 ACL TV performance of "Alright" remains one of the most-watched clips from the show's YouTube channel:
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.
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