Austin City Limits Music Festival

Austin City Limits Music Festival is an annual six-day music event held over two weekends in Zilker Park, Austin, Texas. Featuring artists from rock, indie, country, folk, electronic, and hip hop, it draws hundreds of thousands of attendees each October.

• Held over two consecutive three-day weekends in October
• Eight stages feature a wide range of music genres
• Attendance reached 450,000 over six days in 2025
• Austin Eats food court showcases local restaurants
• Art market and kids’ area offer activities beyond music

What it is

The Austin City Limits Music Festival, known as ACL, is a major annual music gathering in Austin, Texas. Held in Zilker Park, it spans two consecutive three-day weekends each October and brings together a wide range of musical acts across eight stages. The festival is inspired by the long-running PBS series 'Austin City Limits' and is produced by local company C3 Presents. For many, ACL is a celebration of Austin’s vibrant music scene and its reputation as the 'Live Music Capital of the World.' It is a place where music lovers, families, and visitors come together to enjoy performances, local food, art, and community spirit.

Where it comes from

Founded in 2002, the festival began as a single-weekend event and quickly became a staple of Austin’s cultural calendar. In 2013, after a unanimous city council vote, it expanded to two weekends to accommodate growing demand. Over the years, ACL has hosted a diverse lineup of major artists, from Metallica and Paul McCartney to Kendrick Lamar and Willie Nelson. The festival has also inspired similar events in Auckland and Sydney. Its roots in the Austin City Limits TV series give it a unique connection to the city’s musical heritage.

How it is celebrated

During the festival, Zilker Park transforms into a lively landscape of music, food, and art. Each day, performances begin at 11am and continue until 10pm, with artists playing on eight different stages. Attendees can explore Austin Eats, a food court featuring local restaurant vendors, and browse the art market at the park’s center. Families are welcomed with a dedicated kids’ area and activities. The festival’s atmosphere is relaxed yet energetic, with people of all ages enjoying music from a wide variety of genres. Beyond the music, the event supports local parks and has a significant economic impact on the city.

Joining in

Visitors can expect large crowds and a festive mood throughout both weekends in October. The main celebrations take place in Zilker Park, easily accessible from downtown Austin. Tickets are required and often sell out in advance. Attendees should be prepared for long days outdoors, with plenty of opportunities to sample local food, discover new music, and enjoy the creative energy of Austin. Whether you’re a first-timer or a returning fan, the festival offers a welcoming space to experience the city’s love for live music.

In the news

• How to stream Charli XCX, others at Austin City Limits Music FestivalUSA Today
• Austin City Limits 2026: Here's Where to Watch the Three-Day Music Festival Live Online for FreeBillboard
• Austin officials stress safety amid rain concerns for ACL Music Festival kickoffKVUE

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Austin City Limits Music Festival, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it, and news headlines link to their publishers. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Austin City Limits Music Festival on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Official websiteOfficial site
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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