ACL Weekend 1 begins Friday at Austin’s Zilker Park with Charli XCX, Skrillex, Lorde and other major performers. The three-day festival runs Oct. 2–4 as Austin City Limits Music Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary.
Gates open at noon and the festival grounds close at 10 p.m. each day. Attendees should prepare for possible thunderstorms, wet conditions and transportation delays.
ACL Weekend 1 Headliners
Charli XCX and Skrillex will close Friday on opposite sides of the park. Skrillex begins at 8:15 p.m. on the T-Mobile Stage, while Charli XCX starts at 8:40 p.m. on the American Express Stage.
Friday’s lineup also includes Turnstile, Labrinth, Steve Aoki, The Chainsmokers, Leon Thomas, Rebecca Black and Amyl and the Sniffers.
Lorde and RÜFÜS DU SOL lead Saturday’s schedule. Lorde takes the T-Mobile Stage at 8:15 p.m., followed by RÜFÜS DU SOL at 8:30 p.m. on the American Express Stage.
Other Saturday performers include Bleachers, Suki Waterhouse, Young Miko, Lykke Li and Rodrigo y Gabriela. Young Miko brings Puerto Rican music representation to the lineup, while Rodrigo y Gabriela offer their Mexican acoustic sound.
Sunday closes with a direct scheduling conflict between The xx and Twenty One Pilots. Both headliners begin at 8:30 p.m.
The War on Drugs, Blood Orange, Parcels, Sofi Tukker and Geese are also scheduled for Sunday. The complete performance schedule is available through the official ACL Festival website.
Rain Could Affect Festival Conditions
Rain remains a concern as the first weekend begins. Austin entered Friday with wet conditions and the possibility of additional showers and thunderstorms.
Forecasters have warned that heavy rainfall could create localized flooding. Saturday and Sunday may also bring scattered storms and humid conditions.
Festival organizers said production teams were monitoring the forecast and preparing for different weather conditions. Attendees should check the ACL mobile app for schedule or safety updates.
Rain boots or shoes that can handle mud may be useful. Umbrellas are not permitted, but ponchos are allowed. Festivalgoers should also bring sunscreen because conditions can change quickly.
Entry and Bag Rules
Clear bags must measure no more than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches. Small clutch bags or fanny packs can measure up to 6 by 9 inches and must have one pocket.
Empty reusable water bottles and hydration packs are allowed. Free water refill stations are available throughout the park.
Other permitted items include blankets, chairs, binoculars, point-and-shoot cameras and factory-sealed naloxone kits. Aerosol products and oversized bags are prohibited.
Attendees should activate their wristbands before arriving. A credit card and emergency contact can also be connected to the wristband.
Transportation and Road Closures
Parking is not available at Zilker Park. The City of Austin has closed several nearby streets and parking areas for the festival.
Barton Springs Road will remain closed near the festival grounds through early Monday. Additional restrictions affect Azie Morton Road and Stratford Drive.
A free shuttle will operate between Sand Beach Park, near Walter Seaholm Drive and Electric Drive, and the festival’s Barton Springs west entrance. CapMetro buses, bicycles and walking routes offer other options.
Rideshare prices may increase when the final performances end. Attendees should choose a meeting place and transportation plan before entering the park because cellular service can become unreliable.
Weekend 2 will return to Zilker Park from Oct. 9–11. Until then, ACL Weekend 1 will bring three full days of music, local food and festival activity to Central Texas.