Austin City Limits Music Festival: The Right-Wing Rundown

Giddy up, patriots! The Austin City Limits Music Festival is here, kicking off at Zilker Park this Friday at noon. Brace yourselves for three days of freedom-fueled fun, with Saturday and Sunday starting at 11 a.m. Mark your calendars for the second round on Oct. 11-13.

We've packed our bags, prepped our schedules, and stocked up on allergy meds. Check out our hourly breakdown of who to see here. Now, let's dive into the nitty-gritty.

What's the Bag Policy & What Can I Bring?

Bags: Clear bags only, folks. No bigger than 12x6x12 inches. Small purses and fanny packs under 6x9 inches don't need to be clear but can't have more than one pocket.

Allowed Items: Sunscreen (non-aerosol), baby strollers, blankets, towels, factory-sealed Narcan kits (because, well, you never know), personal-use cameras, and chairs in designated areas.

Prohibited Items: Coolers, hammocks, glass containers, outside food and drink, umbrellas, tents, fireworks, and weapons. See the full list here.

Pro-Tip: Pack a bandana, sunglasses, earplugs, lip balm, a light shirt for sun protection, band-aids, toilet paper (trust us), and a portable phone charger.

Hydration Nation

Bring an empty reusable water bottle. October in Austin is still hot, and water stations are scattered throughout the festival. Hydration packs like CamelBaks are allowed but must be empty upon entry.

Pro-Tip: Hydration/electrolyte packets are allowed and highly recommended for those hot days.

Who's Playing & Schedule

Friday: blink-182 vs. Chris Stapleton, Foster the People, Leon Bridges, and Austin hater Dasha.

Saturday: Dua Lipa, Khruangbin, Reneé Rapp, Vince Staples, Pretty Lights.

Sunday: Chappell Roan, Tyler, the Creator, Sturgill Simpson, Dom Dolla, That Mexican OT, and Kehlani (weekend one only). Full schedule here.

Tickets

GA three-day passes and single-day tickets for weekend one are on the waitlist or secondary markets. Weekend two still has GA three-day passes ($370), student tickets ($350), and Friday and Sunday passes ($165/day). VIP options available for both weekends, including a $30,000 bungalow package for high rollers.

Pro-Tip: Check secondary markets for weekend two three-day passes. We've seen them go for over $100 below face value.

Getting There

Options include rideshares, driving, walking, biking, scooting, or buses. Our favorite? A friendly drop-off close to the entry gates.

Rideshares: Use "Austin City Limits Music Festival" or "Zilker Park" as your destination. Exiting Zilker, walk away from the park to request a ride.

Driving: Parking is limited. Reserve a spot near the festival. LAZ Parking and 360 Transportation offer reserved spots.

Bikes & Scooters: Lock up your bike on Stratford Drive after crossing MoPac bridge or on Toomey Road at Sterzing Street. MetroBike drop-off at Barton Springs Road and Sterzing Street.

Bus: Free shuttles run from Republic Square starting at noon on Friday and 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Entry & Re-Entry

Two entrances on Barton Springs Road and one on Stratford Drive. Expect the Azie Morton Road entrance to be the busiest.

Pro-Tip: Google Maps’ new destination guidance helps with navigation. Download an offline map for spotty service areas.

You can leave and re-enter the festival two more times on the same day after your first entry. Make sure to scan your badge out.

Dress Code

October in Austin is a mixed bag, but functional style is key. Expect western wear, cowboy hats for sun protection, and comfortable shoes for walking.

Inside the Park

Seven main music stages, with big acts at the Honda and American Express stages. The IHG Hotels & Resorts Stage offers a chill experience, while Tito's Handmade Vodka can get packed. Don’t forget the Kiddie Limits and Bonus Tracks stages.

What Else to Do

Head to the Bonus Tracks stage for non-music programming, from political speakers to live podcasts. Grab artist merch in the merch tent or browse the vendor's market for unique souvenirs.

Pro-Tip: Buy your favorite band shirt early; sizes sell out quickly.

Kids & Food

Austin Kiddie Limits runs both weekends from noon to 6 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Kids 8 and under are free with a ticketed adult (two kids per adult). Register your kid here.

ACL Eats features over 70 food vendors. Check out the featured food here.

Drinks & Desserts

Canned beer, cocktails, and non-alcoholic options are available throughout the park. Barton Beach Club and Tiki Bar have rum drinks, while El Patioville serves tequila.

ACL Sweets offers all dessert options near the T-Mobile Stage and Austin Kiddie Limits, featuring Amy’s Ice Creams, GoodPop, Bananarchy, Sno-Beach, Tiff's Treats, and Tiny Pies. New this year: CVT Soft Serve, Dulce Amor Mio, and Gelato Paradiso.

Road Closures

Closures begin Sept. 23, with partial and full road closures leading up to the festival. See the full details here.

Stream & Side Shows

Catch live sets on Hulu during weekend one or see your favorite artist at one of the ACL Fest Nights shows, Oct. 2-12. Full list of shows here.

Stay tuned for updates from ACL!