Support Us Button Widget
Business

How much do Austin’s festivals contribute to the local economy?

ACL, SXSW, and the US Grand Prix contributed an economic equivalent of three Super Bowls combined in 2022.

July 5, 2023 • 
Laura Figi
The ACL flags flapping over a crowd of festival-goers.

The first ACL Fest was held in 2002.

Photo by Chad Wadsworth

Table of Contents
Austin City Limits Music Festival
SXSW
Formula 1 US Grand Prix

Festival season is in full swing, but let’s be real, when isn’t it in Austin?

Whether you’re a festival fanatic or prefer to avoid festival traffic, Austin’s annual international festivities keep the local economy chugging. We’re taking a quick look into how much cold, hard cash some of Austin’s most famous events bring in.

Austin City Limits Music Festival

ATX_ACLeconomicImpact

ACL 2020 was not included, since it was held virtually.

Graphic by ATXtoday

All-time economic impact: $3.08 billion, equivalent to 32,201 jobs.
All-time funding for the Austin Parks Foundation: $55 million

2022

  • Contributions to the Austin economy: $447.9 million
    • That figure is equivalent to 3,578 full-time jobs.
    • In comparison, the 2023 Super Bowl contributed about $600 million to Arizona’s economy.
  • $7.2 million, excluding annual fees for Zilker Park restoration efforts, was donated to the Austin Parks Foundation for projects including:
    • Trail improvements and maintenance at the Barton Creek Greenbelt
    • Restoration of the historic Henry Madison Cabin at Rosewood Neighborhood Park
    • Designing Austin’s first all-abilities playground at Onion Creek Metropolitan Park

Note: ACL Festival began tracking economic impact in 2006, four years after the festival began.

SXSW

A graph showing SXSW's economic impact from 2009-2022.

SXSW 2020 and 2021 were not included, by nature of being canceled and held fully virtually.

Graphic by ATXtoday

Economic impact since 2009: ~$2.88 billion

2022

  • Contributions to the Austin economy: $280.7 million
  • $1.8 million in hotel occupancy tax revenue, which came from 10,000 SXSW direct hotel reservations, or 45,500 room nights.

Note: SXSW’s 2023 economic impact report had yet to be released at the time of publication.

A view of the COTA tower and race track.

Last year, Noel Leon was crowned 2021 champion.

Jakob Ebrey

Formula 1 US Grand Prix

All-time economic impact: ~$7 billion

2021

Note: the 2022 US Grand Prix economic impact report had yet to be released at the time of publication.

More from ATXtoday
Rendering of an airport terminal expansion at dusk, with multiple American Airlines planes parked at gates and a United Airlines plane taxiing in the background. The modern terminal building has large glass windows, an elevated walkway, and a well-lit interior. The city skyline is visible in the distance under a twilight sky, with airport ground vehicles and workers scattered across the tarmac.
City
Breaking down Austin-Bergstrom International Airport’s expansion
Here’s what AUS officials had to say about the airport expansion’s key projects, timeline, sustainability efforts, and impact on travelers.
January 30, 2025
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
A vibrant outdoor Lunar New Year celebration featuring a lion dance performance. Performers in a bright orange lion costume balance atop a human pyramid, with colorful confetti filling the air. The crowd, including families and spectators, watches excitedly, many capturing the moment on their phones. Additional lion dancers in blue, pink, and yellow costumes add to the festive atmosphere, set against a modern urban backdrop with a parking garage and market-style buildings.
Culture
Lunar New Year celebrations in Austin
Ring in the Year of the Snake with festivals, lion and dragon dances, vendor markets, and brewery parties.
January 30, 2025
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
A spread of sashimi dishes from above on a dark wooden table, surrounded by cocktails, beer, a glass of wine, dishes of soy sauce and plates with chopsticks on top.
Food
23 places to get sushi in the Austin area
Whether you’re looking for omakase, sake pairings, a sushi conveyor belt, a whimsical interior, or an “Ahi Tower,” we’ve got the restaurant for you.
January 29, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
A group of people crowded around a small pen for Armadillo Day
History
You’ve heard of Groundhog Day — but what about Armadillo Day?
We do things a little differently in the Lone Star State.
January 29, 2025
 · 
London Gibson
Futuristic cityscape with sleek, modern skyscrapers and a network of waterways running through the urban environment. A futuristic flying vehicle, resembling a white pod with a black dome, hovers over the water, near a multi-lane bridge with cars. Boats navigate the waterways below, surrounded by lush greenery and reflective architecture. The scene is bathed in soft daylight, blending advanced technology with natural elements.
Culture
What will Austin, Texas be like in the 22nd century?
We asked ChatGPT to predict Austin’s future — here’s what the chatbot sees in its crystal ball.
January 28, 2025
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
Rendering of Luminary's pool, which is covered in greenery like trees, bushes, and flowers. The L-shaped pool is surrounded by beige tiles, and an awning covered with greenery provides some shade on the deck and in the pool. Luminary stands tall in the background.
Real Estate
First look inside Luminary: Downtown Austin’s newest luxury condo
Luminary’s sales office is open, debuting the first condos to hit the Downtown market in three years.
January 28, 2025
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
A historic stone building with castle-like features and a Texas flag on its tower, surrounded by trees and greenery. A sign in front reads "Elisabet Ney Museum, 304 East 44th Street," with hours listed as Wednesday–Sunday, 12 p.m.–5 p.m.
ACL Music Festival grants $600,000 to park improvement
The longstanding partnership between ACL and Austin Parks Foundation has generated millions of dollars toward caring for the Capital City’s public spaces.
January 27, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
Looking up to the sky, the image frames eight of the new, petal-shaped structures that make up the canopy at the Blanton Museum of Art. They're painted white and filled with little holes, giving the impression of a starry sky.
Live
Austin’s most iconic landmarks
Consider these landmarks our Hollywood signs.
January 27, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
A stylish lounge area in a modern interior space. The room features a curved burnt orange sectional sofa adorned with purple and dark blue accent pillows, placed on a patterned rug. A small round table with a flower arrangement and two wooden stools complete the setup. A vibrant piece of art depicting an abstract burst of light hangs on the textured wall behind the sofa. To the right, a staircase with dark wood steps leads to an upper level, and the space is warmly lit with recessed lighting.
Travel and Outdoors
Inside W Austin’s multi-million dollar renovations
The 2nd Street District hotel boasts redesigned rooms, a new restaurant, a coffee shop, and a reservation-only cocktail bar.
January 24, 2025
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
An art gallery, with several walls of art layered in the frame. In the foreground, a large square artwork depicts a peaceful scene of trees and sky reflected in water. In the background, three artworks hang side-by-side and show a girl's head centered among varying patterns. To the right, more artworks are visible hanging above a bookshelf.
Culture
12 Austin galleries showcasing stunning artwork
Next time you’re in need of artistic inspiration, check out the work of local and global artists at these Austin art galleries.
January 24, 2025
 · 
London Gibson