October in Austin means one thing above all else. The city comes alive with music, food, and energy as tens of thousands of fans flood into Zilker Park for one of America’s most beloved annual events. The Austin City Limits Music Festival 2026 runs across two action-packed weekends — October 2 to 4 and October 9 to 11 — marking an especially milestone-worthy occasion. This year, the festival celebrates its 25th anniversary, making it bigger, bolder, and more exciting than ever.
Whether you are a first-time attendee or a seasoned ACL veteran, this guide covers everything you need to know about dates, the headline lineup, ticket options, and practical tips to make the most of your experience.
Festival Dates and Venue: Two Weekends at Zilker Park
The 2026 festival takes place over six days split across two consecutive weekends. Weekend One runs from Friday, October 2 through Sunday, October 4. Weekend Two follows from Friday, October 9 through Sunday, October 11.
The venue is Zilker Park, located at 2100 Barton Springs Road in South Austin. The park spans 350 acres and transforms completely each October into a full-scale festival city. Gates open at noon on Fridays and at 11 AM on Saturdays and Sundays, with performances running until approximately 10 PM each day. Three entrances serve the park: East Barton Springs, West Barton Springs, and the Lady Bird Entrance.
Both weekends share the same general experience but offer some differences in lineup. Therefore, many fans choose to attend both weekends rather than just one.
The 2026 Lineup: Who Is Performing
This year’s lineup is one of the strongest in recent memory, which is fitting for a 25th anniversary celebration. The bill spans genres from electronic and pop to rock, indie, and country. Here is a look at the confirmed headliners.
| Day | Weekend 1 Headliners | Weekend 2 Headliners |
| Friday | Charli XCX, Skrillex | Kings of Leon, Charli XCX |
| Saturday | RÜFÜS DU SOL, Lorde | Lorde, RÜFÜS DU SOL |
| Sunday | Twenty One Pilots, The xx | Twenty One Pilots, The xx |
Beyond the headliners, the supporting lineup is equally impressive. Fans can catch sets from The Chainsmokers, Bleachers, The War on Drugs, Suki Waterhouse, Steve Aoki, Brandon Flowers, Parcels, Lola Young, Turnstile, Geese, and Audrey Hobert, among many others. The full lineup features over 100 performances spread across nine dedicated stages.
Additionally, the festival consistently offers a platform for emerging artists and local Texas talent. So even in between the big names, there is always something worth discovering.
The Nine Stages: What to Expect on the Grounds
ACL Fest features nine stages, each covering a different sound and audience. Navigating all of them takes planning, since the park is large and popular sets attract enormous crowds.
The main stages — the American Express Stage and the T-Mobile Stage — host the biggest headliners each evening. Smaller stages like the Tito’s Handmade Vodka Stage and the Miller Lite Stage give mid-tier acts and emerging artists their moment in the spotlight. Each stage has its own distinct atmosphere, so moving between them throughout the day is part of the experience.
Expect to walk five to ten miles per day across the park. Comfortable shoes are essential. Additionally, October in Austin typically brings temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Light layers and sunscreen are highly recommended.
Ticket Options and Pricing for 2026
ACL Fest offers several ticket tiers to suit different budgets and preferences. Tickets are available directly through the official website at aclfestival.com. Here is a breakdown of the main options.
| Ticket Tier | Starting Price (3-Day Pass) | Key Perks |
| General Admission (GA) | From $325 | Access to all nine stages and performances |
| GA+ | From $700 | Lounge access, upgraded restrooms, dedicated food vendors |
| VIP | From $1,610 | Complimentary drinks, air-conditioned lounge, dedicated entrance, elevated viewing decks |
| Platinum | From $5,150 | Front-of-stage viewing, all-day dining, golf cart transport, private lounges |
| Y’all Access | From $27,000 | Artist Village access, private dinners, reserved parking, all Platinum perks |
Single-day tickets are also available, giving attendees the flexibility to attend just one or two days rather than committing to a full weekend pass.
One of the most attendee-friendly features is the layaway plan. Fans can lock in their passes with as little as $25 down for GA tickets, then spread payments over several months. Higher-tier options require a larger initial deposit. This makes planning ahead financially accessible for a broader range of attendees.
Children aged eight and under enter free when accompanied by a ticketed adult, with a limit of two children per adult. Younger children attending Platinum-tier events require a separate kids ticket.
Additionally, American Express cardholders enjoy access to Amex Reserved Tickets during presale and general on-sale periods. A portion of every ticket purchase goes to the Austin Parks Foundation, which supports over 300 public parks and green spaces across the city.
Weekend 1 vs. Weekend 2: Which Should You Choose?
Both weekends share most of the same headliners, which is by design. However, there are some lineup differences between the two. Weekend 1 features Skrillex as a headliner, while Weekend 2 features Kings of Leon in that slot. Some supporting acts also differ between weekends, so checking the full schedule on aclfestival.com is the best way to decide.
Weekend 1 tickets historically sell out faster. Three-day GA and GA+ passes for Weekend 1 have sold out within hours of going on sale in previous years. Therefore, if Weekend 1 is your preference, securing tickets as early as possible is strongly advised.
Weekend 2 often feels slightly more relaxed in terms of crowd density, though both weekends draw enormous numbers. An estimated 450,000 people attend the full two-weekend event each year.
Getting There: Transport and Parking
There is no parking available at Zilker Park during the festival. This is one of the most important practical facts to know before you arrive. However, several good alternatives exist.
The official ACL shuttle runs free of charge for wristband holders. It departs from Republic Square in downtown Austin and delivers attendees directly to the festival entrance. It is the easiest and most stress-free way to reach the grounds.
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are widely used, though traffic near the park gets heavy during peak arrival and departure times. Using designated rideshare drop-off points and planning around the headliner rush helps avoid long waits.
CapMetro, Austin’s public transit network, also serves the area. Downloading the CapMetro app before the festival makes navigating routes much simpler. Walking and cycling are also popular choices for attendees staying in nearby neighborhoods.
Food, Drink, and the Festival Experience
ACL Fest is as much a food event as it is a music event. The festival’s ACL Eats program brings in some of Austin’s most celebrated restaurants and food trucks. Past participants have included Franklin Barbecue, Torchy’s Tacos, and Home Slice Pizza, among many others.
VIP attendees receive complimentary drinks in both VIP Groves, a returning perk in 2026 along with the new enclosed, air-conditioned VIP lounge. GA and GA+ attendees have access to a wide range of food and beverage vendors throughout the grounds. Complimentary water refill stations are available for all ticket holders.
Additionally, the festival grounds offer dedicated areas for rest, shade, and recharging. The overall experience is designed to be enjoyable from noon to night, not just during the headline sets.
Hotels and Accommodation Near Zilker Park
Hotels near Zilker Park fill up extremely quickly during ACL weekends. Booking accommodation as early as possible is essential. The official ACL website offers a hotel and festival bundle that combines three-day tickets with nearby hotel stays at competitive rates.
Popular options near the festival include boutique hotels in South Austin, larger chain hotels downtown, and short-term rental properties throughout the city. Staying within walking or cycling distance of the park offers convenience, though it comes at a premium during October.
Practical Tips for First-Time Attendees
A little preparation goes a long way at a large outdoor festival. Here are some key tips to keep in mind:
- Arrive early each day to explore smaller stages before the main crowds arrive
- Bring a reusable water bottle to use at the free refill stations throughout the grounds
- Wear comfortable, broken-in footwear — the park is large and the ground is uneven
- Apply sunscreen before you arrive and bring a small travel-size bottle for reapplication
- Download the official ACL app for live schedules, stage maps, and real-time updates
- Book your shuttle, hotel, and rideshare plans well before festival weekend arrives
- Check the bag policy on the official website, since size and type restrictions apply at the gates
Conclusion
The Austin City Limits Music Festival 2026 is shaping up to be the most memorable edition in the event’s 25-year history. Running from October 2 to 4 and October 9 to 11 at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas, the festival brings together an outstanding lineup featuring Charli XCX, Lorde, Twenty One Pilots, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Skrillex, Kings of Leon, The xx, and over 100 more acts across nine stages. Ticket options range from affordable GA passes starting at $325 to premium VIP and Platinum experiences, all available with flexible layaway plans. Whether you attend one weekend or both, plan your transport, book your hotel early, and prepare for six days of exceptional live music in one of America’s great festival cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Austin City Limits Music Festival 2026?
The festival takes place across two weekends: October 2 to 4 (Weekend 1) and October 9 to 11 (Weekend 2). Both weekends are held at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas, with gates opening at noon on Fridays and 11 AM on Saturdays and Sundays.
Who are the headliners for ACL Fest 2026?
The confirmed headliners include Charli XCX, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Twenty One Pilots, Lorde, Skrillex (Weekend 1), Kings of Leon (Weekend 2), and The xx. Supporting acts include The Chainsmokers, Bleachers, The War on Drugs, Turnstile, Steve Aoki, Brandon Flowers, and many more.
How much do ACL Fest 2026 tickets cost?
Three-day General Admission passes start at $325. GA+ starts at $700, VIP from $1,610, and Platinum from $5,150. Layaway plans are available starting at $25 down for GA tickets. Tickets are sold through aclfestival.com.
Is there parking at Zilker Park during the festival?
No. There is no parking available at Zilker Park or in the surrounding neighborhoods during the festival. Attendees are encouraged to use the free official ACL shuttle from Republic Square downtown, rideshare services, CapMetro public transit, or walk and cycle from nearby areas.
Are children allowed at ACL Fest 2026?
Yes. Children aged eight and under enter free when accompanied by a ticketed adult, with a limit of two children per adult. Families should check the official ACL website for any specific age-related policies by ticket tier, particularly for Platinum-level attendance.