The Austin City Limits Music Festival 2026 (ACL Fest) marks its 25th anniversary with two weekends at Zilker Park: October 2-4 and October 9-11. One of the most acclaimed music festivals in the US, ACL Fest spreads across 9 stages with more than 100 performances each weekend, right in the heart of Austin, Texas.
This guide covers the 2026 lineup, dates, ticket prices, and where to store your bags if you’re spending the day moving between stages.
ACL Festival 2026: Key Details
| Dates | October 2-4 and October 9-11, 2026 (two identical weekends) |
| Edition | 25th anniversary of ACL Festival |
| Venue | Zilker Park, Austin, Texas |
| Format | 9 stages, 100+ performances per weekend |
ACL Festival 2026 Lineup
Headliners for the 25th anniversary include Charli xcx, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Twenty One Pilots and Lorde across both weekends, with Skrillex topping weekend one and Kings of Leon and The xx headlining weekend two. The rest of the bill features Turnstile, Labrinth, Lola Young, The Chainsmokers, Geese, Young Miko, Bleachers, SOFI TUKKER, Parcels, The War on Drugs and Leon Thomas, plus Brandon Flowers during weekend one.
Since ACL Fest repeats the same lineup across both weekends, fans who miss weekend one can catch the same artists at weekend two — useful if you’re planning travel around only one trip.
ACL Festival 2026 Ticket Prices
Tickets are sold as single-weekend or platinum passes covering both weekends, through the official ACL Festival website. Given the 25th anniversary lineup, early weekends and VIP tiers tend to sell out ahead of the festival, so booking early is recommended.
| 3-Day General Admission | From $325 |
| 3-Day GA+ | From $700 |
| Weekend VIP | From $1,610 |
| Platinum | From $5,150 |
Platinum passes include front-of-stage viewing, an air-conditioned lounge, complimentary dining and Wi-Fi. Layaway payment plans are available for GA, GA+, VIP and Platinum packages.
Zilker Park: The Festival Grounds
Zilker Park is Austin’s largest and most iconic green space, sitting on the south bank of Lady Bird Lake just south of downtown. Beyond hosting ACL Fest each October, the park is home to Barton Springs Pool and is a year-round hub for hiking, kayaking and picnicking — worth knowing if you’re arriving a day early or staying on after the festival to explore Austin’s outdoors.
Getting to Zilker Park
Zilker Park sits just south of downtown Austin. ACL Fest offers a paid shuttle service from several pickup points around the city, and rideshare drop-off zones are set up near the park entrances. Driving and parking directly at the park is discouraged during the festival due to heavy congestion — most locals bike, walk, or take the shuttle.
Insider Tips for ACL Festival 2026
- Book early. With a 25th-anniversary lineup, weekend passes are expected to move quickly.
- Plan for Texas heat. Early October in Austin can still be warm — bring water and sun protection.
- Check the clear-bag policy. Zilker Park enforces a clear-bag rule for festival entry, similar to major stadiums.
- Travel light between stages. With 9 stages spread across the park, carrying luggage or oversized bags slows you down.
Luggage Storage for ACL Festival 2026
ACL Festival’s clear-bag policy means large bags and luggage can’t come into Zilker Park at all. If you’re flying into Austin for the festival or checking out of your hotel before heading to the park, Radical Storage has verified partner locations across Austin where you can drop your bags securely and pick them up after the show.
Find a nearby location near Zilker Park and head to the festival hands-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Austin City Limits Music Festival 2026 runs across two identical weekends: October 2-4 and October 9-11, marking the festival’s 25th anniversary.
Charli xcx, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Twenty One Pilots and Lorde headline both weekends, with Skrillex topping weekend one and Kings of Leon and The xx headlining weekend two.
3-Day General Admission starts from $325, GA+ from $700, Weekend VIP from $1,610, and Platinum passes from $5,150.
Yes, ACL Festival repeats the same lineup across both weekends, so you only need to attend one to see the full bill.
Zilker Park enforces a clear-bag policy, so large bags and luggage are not permitted inside the festival grounds.
Radical Storage has partner locations across Austin near Zilker Park, letting you store bags securely before heading into the festival.
