The limit does not exist, because ACL Festival 2025 is just days away, and it’s anticipated to bring ~450,000 people to Zilker Park over two weekends in October.
Whether you’re a festival veteran or this is your first time attending the festival, two things are certain: You’re in for a great time and we’re here to help you make the most out of your wristband.
The festival opens at noon both weekends. Here’s all the info you need to know before you go.
Beat the heat in style
Now is the time to dress to impress, because attendees pull out all the stops when it comes to their outfits. Weather during the festival tends to be hot — AccuWeather predicts that Austinites should expect high temperatures ranging from 85 to 89 degrees this year.
You’ll likely be in the sun all day, so it’s essential to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and take frequent breaks. Pro tip: Bring baby wipes, misters, and fans to help you feel fresh throughout the day.
We like to balance style and comfort. Get functional with your accessories (think manual fans, big hats, and stylish sunglasses), wear breathable fabrics, stick to closed-toed shoes, and lean into your personal aesthetics.
Psst — stay tuned for a guide to festival fashion.
Bag policy
No matter the size, your bag will be searched before you enter festival grounds.
- Small bags + fanny packs smaller than 6" x 9" do not need to be clear, but can only have one pocket.
- All other bags must be clear and no larger than 12" x 6" x 12". Backpacks and bags with multiple pockets are prohibited.
- Hydration packs are allowed and do not need to be clear, but must be empty and have no more than two pockets in addition to the one holding the water reservoir.
View the full policy here.
What to bring
You’re going to be walking, dancing, and sweating all day, so pack light, but don’t skip the essentials.
- A reusable water bottle | The festival provides free water stations all around the park so all you need is a receptacle, but it must be empty when you arrive. Hydration packs also make a great addition to your kit.
- Sunscreen | The Texas sun is unforgiving, so bring a bottle (3.4 ounces or less) for reapplications. You’ll thank us later.
- A fan, hat, or bandanna | You might want to pack all three to fend off those extra rays. Figi here — I always wear a bandanna around my face when I’m walking to reduce the amount of dust I breathe in.
- A charger | Between the scorching heat and social media posts, your phone drain quickly.
- A seat | Whether it’s a foldable chair, a stool, or a picnic blanket, a place to rest will come in handy while you’re waiting for sets or grabbing some grub.
Psst — the festival offers locker rentals.
What not to bring
The following are prohibited on festival grounds:
- Coolers or glass containers
- Hammocks or tents
- Cameras with a detachable lens or photography equipment
- Pets
- Selfie sticks
- Bicycles
- Large chains or spiky jewelry (Figi here — I have had a chain belt confiscated, so save those for a different event)
Read the full list of illegal items here.
Transportation
ACL is notoriously hard to get to and from, so having a solid transportation plan will make the festival that much more enjoyable.
Via shuttle: ACL provides free shuttles from Sand Beach Park to Zilker Park starting at 11:30 a.m. each day of the festival.
Via ride share: Many of the streets surrounding the festival will be shut down, so you’ll still have to do a little walking. Typing “Austin City Limits Music Festival” or “Zilker Park” into navigation will take you to the nearest drop-off point. You’ll need to return there to request a ride home.
By bike, scooter, or on foot: Bike + electric scooter parking will be available on Stratford Drive after crossing the Mopac Pedestrian Bridge, on Azie Morton Road near the Umlauf Sculpture Garden, and on Toomey Road and Sterzing Street. For walkers, here’s a map of the trails.
Via car: There is no parking at Zilker Park or nearby neighborhoods, but if driving is your best option, you can reserve spots with LAZ Parking at 1221 S. Mopac Expy. or at Austin High School. Additionally, nearby businesses often open their lots to festival-goers for a fee.
Via CapMetro: Several bus routes operate frequently near Zilker Park. Check out the MetroRapid Route 803 or other options here.
Lounges + activations
If you’re looking to charge up, cool off, freshen up, shop, or snack in between sets, here are a few areas we recommend visiting. Psst — you might need to win or qualify to access some areas.
American Express Experience | Cardholders can snap a photo with an album cover, play magnetic darts, customize goodies, visit the side-stage lounge, and purchase exclusive merch from a to-go window.
BeatBox So Far Out House | Try out the new Shaq’s Blueberry Lemonade, grab a fanny pack, and enter to win prizes.
Coca-Cola Refresh Lounge | Returning this year under a new name, this lounge is a great place to treat yourself to an ice-cold soda, charge your phone, get some shade, and try out some fun activations.
DashPass Lounge By DoorDash | DashPass Members can stop in for premium restrooms, $10 food vouchers, charging access, food samples, and giveaways.
Hacienda PATRÓN | This two-story activation will have vinyl DJ sets, PATRÓN cocktails, lounge seating, photo ops, and surprises for visitors of age.
H-E-B’s Shop & Recycle | Kiddos handle the shopping at this activation, where they can select items to sort into the correct receptacles to learn about recycling, plus, they’ll get a mini tote as a prize.
Miller Lite Bar 75 | In addition to free Wi-Fi and phone charging, the Miller Lite Bar will also feature photo moments, spin-to-win swag, and DJ sets for folks 21 and older.
Tito’s Chillmaster5000 | Step inside a gigantic walk-in fridge to beat the heat at this local brand’s famous lounge. Psst — access to this exclusive lounge is usually hard to come by, and often won by playing the brand’s claw game.
T-Mobile Club Magenta | T-Mobile customers (and their plus ones) can access this lounge for giveaways, phone charging, drinks, and more.
ACL Eats
ACL might as well add “food festival” to its title, because dozens of local eateries (including 17 newcomers) will post up. This year’s fest has three main food courts: ACL Eats, ACL Eats South, and ACL Sweets. New vendors include:
- The Corndog Company
- KG BBQ
- San Ginés
ACL Market
If you find yourself with the urge to shop — or want to be bold and perfect your outfit on-site — nine vendors will be stationed at the main market. Here are a few we recommend visiting for a souvenir:
- Austin Art Garage
- Mutiny Market
- Spare Finery Permanent Jewelry
Maximizing your time
The best way to stay up-to-date on festival goings-on is to download Festiverse, where you can view a map of the grounds, the hourly performing schedule, alerts + schedule changes, quizzes, FAQs, and a guide to finding freebies.
If you’re a lucky holder of a GA+, VIP, or Platinum wristband, don’t forget to read up on specialty offerings for your ticket.
Last of all, remember to review our list of all the Austinites taking the stage before you head out. We’ll see you at the flags.