TrekUnity
When
October
Attendance
~450,000 (across both weekends)
Admission
Ticketed
Setting
Outdoor
ACL Fest takes over Austin's Zilker Park for two October weekends, with eight stages spanning rock, hip-hop, country, and electronic acts against the downtown skyline — an anchor of the self-proclaimed live-music capital of the world.
Both weekends share the lineup, and the festival pairs perfectly with Austin itself: barbecue, tacos, Barton Springs, and the city's endless club scene between festival days.
Want to go? Turn Austin City Limits Music Festival into a trip you plan with your group.
Creates an editable trip seeded with a starter itinerary, hotels & eats.
Event details
Typical dates
Two weekends in early-to-mid October
Admission
Ticketed (1-day and 3-day tiers each weekend)
Parking
No festival parking — rideshare, bike, or the shuttle from downtown; Zilker is close to the center.
Nearest airport
Austin-Bergstrom International (AUS) — ~20 min
Typical weather
Warm Texas October — often 80s °F by day, pleasant evenings; sun protection and a dust bandana help.
Official website
Location
Austin, TX
Where to stay
South Congress (SoCo) hotels
Trendy strip walkable-ish to Zilker.
Downtown Austin hotels
Central base near shuttles and nightlife.
East Austin guesthouses
Hip neighborhood with great food and bars.
Where to eat & drink
Franklin Barbecue
World-famous brisket (expect a line).
Veracruz All Natural
The city's beloved migas tacos.
Torchy's Tacos
Austin taco staple all over town.
Nearby attractions
Barton Springs Pool
Spring-fed pool right by Zilker Park.
South Congress Avenue
Shops, food trucks, and the skyline view.
Lady Bird Lake trail
Waterfront walking/running loop downtown.
A sample itinerary
1Arrive + SoCo
- •Fly into AUS
- •Afternoon: South Congress + skyline view
- •Evening: Torchy's + live music
2Festival day
- •Morning: Barton Springs dip
- •Afternoon/night: Zilker stages
- •Late: back downtown
3Festival + BBQ
- •Midday: Franklin Barbecue
- •Afternoon/evening: more ACL
4Lake + depart
- •Morning: Lady Bird Lake trail
- •Head to AUS
Make it yours — an editable trip you can share with your group.
Travel tips
- Take the downtown shuttle or bike — there's no parking at Zilker.
- Hit Barton Springs to cool off between sets.
- Line up early (or go weekday) for Franklin Barbecue.
Frequently asked questions
When is ACL Festival?
It runs two consecutive weekends in October in Zilker Park, with the same lineup each weekend.
How do you get to Zilker Park?
There's no festival parking — take the downtown shuttle, rideshare, or bike.
What should you do between festival days?
Eat Austin — Franklin Barbecue and the taco scene — and cool off at Barton Springs.
Going with friends?
TrekUnity keeps the whole group on the same page — vote on plans, split costs, and see who's arriving when.
Start planning freeTrekUnity is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Austin City Limits Music Festival or its organizers. Dates, prices, and details are provided for informational purposes and can change — always confirm on the official event website before booking.