ACL Fest 2026: Picks and Tips for Your Austin Weekend
August 12, 2026
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ACL Fest is back for its 25th anniversary, bringing more than 100 acts to Zilker Park.
The Austin City Limits Festival 2026 takes place October 2–4 and October 9–11. This year’s lineup features headliners Charli XCX, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Twenty One Pilots, Lorde, and The xx across both weekends, with Skrillex headlining Weekend One and Kings of Leon headlining Weekend Two, among many others.
Whether you decide to go for one day or all three, one weekend or both, here are our best tips for navigating ACL. We’ve also included our staff picks for who to see at this year’s festival!
In this post:
What’s New for ACL Fest 2026
This year, Austin City Limits Festival takes place the first two weekends of October, 2–4 and October 9–11.
The 25th anniversary brings a few additions worth knowing about before you arrive.
New this year is the Speakeasy Lounge, a private, air-conditioned group space at the festival that accommodates 25 to 75 guests. If you’re organizing a group trip and want a dedicated home base at the park, it’s worth reaching out to ACL directly about availability.
VIP gets a meaningful upgrade in 2026 as well. Complimentary drinks are back, and they’ve added a new dedicated entrance and a new air-conditioned lounge. If you’ve been thinking about the VIP experience, this is a good year to try it.
Select Weekend One performances will stream on Disney+ and Hulu, which makes Weekend One the one to catch in person if you’re choosing between weekends.
And if you want to get familiar with the lineup before you arrive, Spotify has partnered with ACL this year on an in-app playlist experience tied to the 2026 artists. It’s a good way to come in with a plan.
How to Get to ACL Fest in 2026
There is no parking available at Zilker Park during ACL Fest, and parking in the surrounding neighborhoods is prohibited. Plan your ride before festival day.
- Rideshare: Open your rideshare app and enter “Austin City Limits Music Festival” or “Zilker Park” as your destination. ACL designates drop-off and pick-up points outside the park, each less than half a mile from a park entrance or exit. When leaving the festival, exit the restricted area before requesting a ride home.
- Festival Shuttle: ACL Fest provides complimentary shuttle service to and from Zilker Park throughout each festival weekend. Shuttle pickup locations and hours are confirmed closer to the festival dates. Check the ACL Festival transportation FAQ for current details before heading out.
- Bike the Trail: Our team is happy to help coordinate bike rentals for guests who want to take the scenic route. Hop on a bike and follow the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail directly to the festival grounds. It is one of the better ways to get there.
At the Heywood, we are just three miles from Zilker Park. Guests can take advantage of free on-site parking, then rideshare or shuttle to the park from there.
What to Eat at ACL Fest
Image by Katrina Barber, C3 Photo
Austin is a foodie town, so it’s no surprise that some of Austin’s best bites can be found inside the ACL Eats Food Court. ACL typically releases the official 2026 vendor lineup in mid-to-late September, so check back closer to the festival for the confirmed list. Based on 2025, here are some of the local vendors worth watching for:
- Cuantos Tacos (street-style Austin tacos)
- Bananarchy (frozen chocolate-dipped bananas, all vegan)
- Austin’s Pizza (local Austin pizza chain, by the slice)
- Chilantro (Korean-Mexican fusion, get the kimchi fries)
- KG BBQ (Egyptian-influenced BBQ, Michelin Bib Gourmand)
- Discada (MICHELIN-recognized Northern Mexican taquitos, our neighbor)
- Gati Ice Cream (vegan coconut milk ice cream)
- JuiceLand (fresh-pressed juices and superfood smoothies)
- La Santa Barbacha (MICHELIN-recommended barbacoa food truck)
- Amy’s Ice Creams (Austin’s ice cream institution since 1984)
- Veracruz All Natural (Zagat-rated, get the migas taco on corn)
- …and many more!
Most restaurants include gluten-free and vegetarian options, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
What to Bring to ACL Fest
Image by Katrina Barber, C3 Photo
To make the most of ACL, bring a few essentials that will help you feel your best for each performance.
- Hat and bandana: It likely will be hot and sunny. Bring a hat that can shade your noggin from our intense Texas rays. A bandana is handy for just about everything: shade, dust, sweat, quick towel duty, and a little festival style.
- Clear bag or small clutch or fanny pack: ACL Fest’s bag policy for 2026 requires that bags be clear and not larger than 12″ x 12″ x 6″. The only exception is for a small clutch or fanny pack that’s no larger than 6″ x 9″ and only has one small pocket.
- Water bottle: Bring an empty reusable water bottle or hydration pack and fill up at one of the water stations to stay hydrated throughout the day.
- Blanket or chair: With a full weekend of festivities ahead of you, you’ll want to sneak in plenty of moments to recharge. In between sets, find a shady spot to lay down a blanket or set up a chair to relax and give your body a chance to rest. Heywood guests can also borrow one of our beach towels for the weekend.
- Sunscreen: Attending an outdoor festival means a lot of sun exposure. Protect yourself by packing non-aerosol sunscreen (3.4 oz or less) and re-applying throughout the day. Aerosol sunscreen is prohibited in 2026, so leave the spray can at home.
Be sure to check the list of allowed and prohibited items on the ACL Festival website before packing for the day.
Make the Heywood Your ACL Home BaseThree miles from Zilker Park, free parking, good coffee, and a team that loves this festival. All ACL reservations include a welcome basket on arrival. |
Who to See at ACL Fest 2026
With more than 100 acts to see at ACL Fest 2026, there is a little something for everyone. Our team at the Heywood is still discovering many of these artists, but here are some names that grab our attention:
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Julie’s PicksJulie helps with marketing at the Heywood and her whole family are die-hard ACL attendees who never miss a year. Her tastes trend toward indie, rock, and new wave, and she’s always on the hunt for a new band that will make her dance so hard she risks heatstroke. |
- Amyl and the Sniffers: “Credit goes to my kids for turning me onto these Aussie punks, who have been compared to Iggy and the Stooges and the Damned. Expect a blistering set that’ll match the Austin heat on Friday of both weekends.”
- Hunx and His Punx: “Imagine the Ronettes and the Ramones had an unabashedly queer baby and you might get something close to Hunx and His Punx. Get ready to Pogo your heart out on Friday of Weekend One.”
- Brigitte Calls Me Baby: “This upbeat band marries new-wave synths with fun jangly guitars led by a crooner with a Morrissey-like voice. (Plus they were signed after a SXSW show!) Don’t miss them on Friday of Weekend Two.”
- Bleachers: “I caught some of Bleachers’ set at ACL a few years ago, and it was a high energy, blissful sing-a-long. Catch this band from super-producer Jack Antonoff both Saturdays.”
- Balu Brigada: “This takes me back to the indie music of the early aughts in the best way. They’ve got funky disco riffs, a driving beat, and keep it moving. Get your dance on Saturday of both weekends.”
- The xx: “Lush harmonies, beautiful sparse synths, heart-wrenching lyrics. The xx were hugely influential on electronic music. Catch their riveting show on Sunday of both weekends.”
- Saint Motel: “They played an early Friday set at ACL several years ago and blew me away. Horns, coordinated dances, funny lyrics, hand claps. Saint Motel brings the energy Sunday of both weekends.”
- FCUKERS: “Once again, my kids were responsible for recommending this lo-fi electronic duo that will get you dancing like you’re at a rave in the English countryside in the ’90s. Grab the glowsticks Sunday of both weekends.”
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Dani’s PicksDani is an executive assistant at the Heywood and a huge fan of many of the artists featured this year! Her style of music leans more mainstream, and it was hard to select just five, but these are her picks: |
- Kings of Leon: “I’ve seen them in concert 5 times and they always sound amazing live! They are one of my all-time favorite bands. Catch them Friday of Weekend Two.”
- Labrinth: “Composed music for the first two seasons of Euphoria. His sounds are genre-bending and take listeners for a spiritual ride. If you haven’t heard ‘Mount Everest’ live, do yourself a favor and go to YouTube right now. He plays Friday of both weekends.”
- Suki Waterhouse: “Her voice is like honey and I loved her in the adaptation of Daisy Jones & the Six! She’s on Saturday of both weekends.”
- Brandon Flowers: “He has one of the most distinct voices of his generation and boy can he belt! He makes it look so easy, and he is dripping with charisma. Catch him Friday of Weekend One.”
- Leon Thomas: “His music reminds me of early ’90s R&B and his vocals are fiiiire. He’s on Friday of both weekends.”
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Kathy’s PicksKathy is the owner of the Heywood Hotel. She moved to Austin in the late ’90s because of her love for SXSW and live music. Her tastes tend toward guitar-driven indie, rock, and alt-country. |
- Geese: “I love a band that makes a big impression. I have listened to their 2025 album ‘Getting Killed’ a million times. ‘Au Pays du Cocaine’ sounds just like heartbreak feels. Catch them Sunday of both weekends.”
- The War on Drugs: “They’ve appeared on so many of my playlists over the last 20 years, but I’ve never seen them live. I simply adore their wistful sound. They play Sunday of both weekends.”
- Fai Laci: “For me, a new discovery. Their latest album ‘The Elephant Room’ was produced by Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys), and has big rock energy with a slight grungy-blues edge. Excited to see them live. Catch them Saturday of Weekend One.”
- Villanelle: “British band fronted by Gene Gallagher, Liam’s son. I’m choosing this one for curiosity. Their throwback ’90s garage band sounds a little derivative (like maybe they want to be Nirvana, yeah?), but the confidence in their videos has me hooked. Sneering descendants of British rock royalty here in Austin, Texas. Sure, why not? See them Sunday of Weekend One.”
- Grocery Bag: “One of Austin’s best bands, this four-piece is fronted by Bella Martinez and has played SXSW and the Levitation Festival. I dig their garage-psych sound and they put on a great live show. They play Friday of Weekend One.”
- Bad Nerves: “Another discovery for me. Power pop/punk band from Essex. Maybe the band most likely to inspire a mosh pit at ACL. I love it. Catch them Sunday of Weekend Two.”
- And a few off-the-radar folk/roots picks for the smaller stages: “Nat Myers is a Korean-American blues poet from Kentucky whose 2021 album ‘Yellow Peril’ was also produced by Dan Auerbach. Catch him Saturday of Weekend Two. Damaris Bojor hails from Hermosillo, Mexico and calls her style ‘Folkpirano,’ a fusion of regional Mexican music and North American folk. She also plays Saturday of Weekend Two. S.G. Goodman is a songbird from Kentucky with soaring vocals. Catch her Friday of Weekend Two.”
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Kayla’s PicksKayla is the operations manager at the Heywood Hotel. She describes her music taste as a blend of indie, alternative, and pop, which is why she’s especially excited about this year’s ACL lineup. It was tough to narrow it down to just a few favorites! |
- Skrillex: “To me, Skrillex was genre-defying. His music felt like nothing I had ever heard, and that’s when my love for electronic music was created. Seeing him live has been on my bucket list for years. He plays Friday of Weekend One only, so this is not one to miss.”
- Lorde: “I really relate to Lorde’s music. She seems so genuine. I know I will be singing at the top of my lungs during her performance. She’s on Saturday of both weekends.”
- Twenty One Pilots: “I love their high-energy music and think it would be so much fun to see them live! Catch them Sunday of both weekends.”
- Charli XCX: “Her songs always make me want to dance! BRAT was one of my most-played albums of 2024, and watching her command a crowd is something else entirely. I know I will be hopping up and down throughout her set. Catch her Friday of both weekends.”
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Sam’s PicksSam is on the content team at the Heywood. She leans toward pop music and looks forward to acts who put on a fun show. These are her picks: |
- Natasha Bedingfield: “Every millennial who grew up watching The Hills knows ‘Unwritten’ by heart. I need to hear her perform it live! She’ll be on stage on Friday of Weekend Two.”
- DJ Cassandra: “DJ Cassandra is one of Austin’s most sought-after local DJs, and I know she’ll bring the fun to the festival. Catch her Saturday of Weekend One.”
- Twenty One Pilots: “I saw them live for the first time during SXSW 2013 (can’t believe it’s been that long!), and their high-energy performance has stuck with me ever since. I’d love to watch them again for nostalgia. They’re on Sunday of both weekends.”
- Finn Wolfhard: “I don’t know much about his music, but as a Stranger Things fan, I’m curious to see another side of Finn Wolfhard. He plays on Saturday of both weekends.”
Austin’s Local Talent at ACL Fest 2026
ACL has always made room for Texas talent alongside the headliners, and 2026 is no different. Here are some local and regional acts worth finding on the smaller stages:
- Asleep at the Wheel: Ray Benson has been leading this Grammy-winning Western swing band since 1973, and they are as close to a living piece of Austin music history as you will find at any festival. If you’ve never heard Western swing played by people who grew up in it, put this on your Friday of Weekend One list.
- Huston-Tillotson University Jazz Collective: The contemporary jazz ensemble from Austin’s only historically Black university, right here on the East Side. Sunday of Weekend Two.
- DJ Cassandra: One of Austin’s most in-demand vinyl selectors, and one of Sam’s picks. If you want to hear what the local DJ scene is doing, this is the set to find. Saturday of Weekend One.
- Grocery Bag: One of Austin’s best psych/garage rock acts, and Kathy’s pick. They play Friday of Weekend One.
- Calder Allen: A homegrown Texas singer-songwriter rooted in folk-country and Americana. He plays Sunday of both weekends.
- Bo Staloch: Texas-based singer-songwriter with beautiful lyrics and vocals to match. Catch him Saturday of Weekend One.
- Coleman Jennings: Local folk and Americana artist with an old-school vibrato. Saturday of Weekend One.
- Almost Heaven: Austin-based indie-electronic, post-punk dance duo. Friday of Weekend Two.
Not attending the fest? The Heywood team put together an ACL 2026 Playlist so you can enjoy this year’s artists wherever you are!
Where to Stay for ACL Fest 2026
One of the best hotels near Austin City Limits Festival is none other than the Heywood Hotel. Conveniently located just three miles from Zilker Park, the Heywood offers seven intimate rooms, a private courtyard, and a dedicated concierge team to help you make the most of your ACL Festival weekend.
The private courtyard at the Heywood Hotel in Austin, Texas.
Why Choose the Heywood Hotel for ACL 2026?
Our MICHELIN-rated boutique hotel offers a personalized experience that sets the stage for an amazing festival weekend.
Your home away from home during ACL 2026.
Boutique Luxury with Austin Charm
We offer a handcrafted boutique experience unlike any other hotel in Austin, with spaces designed to deliver a unique blend of comfort and local flavor.
Think of us as your home away from home. We offer free parking, good coffee, and ridiculously comfortable beds. After a day filled with a lot of walking, dancing, and high-energy fun, our quiet, beautifully designed rooms are the perfect place to retreat and recharge.
All ACL Festival reservations receive a free welcome basket of goodies.
Convenient Location (with Free Parking)
Proudly located in East Austin, the Heywood is just blocks from downtown Austin. Whether you plan to use a rideshare or catch the free ACL shuttle, our central location makes getting to ACL Fest a breeze.
Book Your ACL Weekend at the Heywood HotelFree parking, a welcome basket for every ACL guest, and a concierge team that loves this festival. Three miles from Zilker Park, in the heart of East Austin. |