ACL Fest is back for two weekends of music, food, and testing how long you can survive in Zilker Park before melting into a puddle. This year’s nine stages are stacked with Sabrina Carpenter, Hozier, The Killers, Luke Combs, The Strokes, John Summit, Doechii, Feid, Cage the Elephant, and plenty more to scream-sing along with.
But beyond the headliners, ACL is really a marathon of planning, pacing, and occasionally hiding in an air-conditioned brand activation pretending you “love Aperol.” Here’s everything you need to know to make it out of both weekends alive, hydrated, and with enough energy to still dance like it’s your senior year.
What to Bring (and What Gets You Stuck in Security)
- Bags: Clear, 12” x 6” x 12” max. Clutches or fanny packs under 6” x 9” are okay. Hydration packs allowed but empty.
- Sunscreen: Yes, but under 3.4 ounces and no aerosols. ACL is basically TSA with guitars.
- Chairs: Allowed, but check them at Guest Services unless you want to be “chair guy” in the pit. A blanket works better.
- Other green lights: sanitizer, point-and-shoot cameras, sealed Narcan kits, and binoculars if you plan to spy on VIPs.
- No liquids: Empty bottles and hydration packs only. Refill once you’re inside.
- Pro tip: Bring a portable phone charger. Otherwise you’ll be that person crying at 11 pm because you can’t order an Uber.
How to Get There
- Shuttles: Free rides run from Sand Beach Park to the Barton Springs west entrance. It’s the closest thing to valet parking you’ll get.
- Bike/Walk: Zilker’s bike lot is off Stratford Drive by the MoPac bridge. Bonus: you’ll skip traffic rage.
- CapMetro: Cheap and drops you near enough.
- Rideshare: Be ready for wallet pain on the way out. Surge pricing turns that $12 ride into a $65 farewell.
- Driving: Technically possible, spiritually exhausting. Limited parking through Laz and Austin High, but it’s like playing festival roulette.
Festival Hacks and Safety
- Meeting Spot: Pick one early. Cell service dies around 6 pm and you will never find your friend Kyle again.
- Wristband Cashless: Link your card to your wristband and tap to pay. If you’re an Amex member, you get perks like a $5 credit and “fast lanes” at merch.
- No Bag Express Lane: If you can go without, you’ll slide through security way faster.
- SafeFest Helpers: Look for yellow-shirt staff if you need help, or check the app for official updates. Emergencies will also be blasted from stage screens.
Food and Drinks
ACL Eats is stacked again with over 70 vendors, including newcomers like Brotherton’s BBQ, Oko, Saigon Le Vendeur, Iron Burger, and the infamous Corndog Company. Returning legends like Veracruz All Natural, Chi’Lantro, Cuantos Tacos, and The Mighty Cone will also keep the lines long and your stomach happy.
ACL Sweets adds options like Gati Ice Cream and San Ginés churros, because nothing says Texas heat like standing in a field eating fried dough dusted with sugar.
For more on where to eat during ACL, see our Ultimate Guide to ACL Eats 2025.
Beyond the Music: Where to Hide, Recharge, and Pretend You’re Fancy
- Tito’s Chillmaster5000: A giant walk-in fridge. Yes, a fridge. Hide in here when you start hallucinating heat waves.
- ACL’s corporate sponsors basically built a playground for adults. Here’s the cheat sheet:
- Amex Experience: Album cover photo ops, darts, charm customization, and AC.
- Aperol Spritz Piazza: Italian vibes, orange cocktails, Instagram bait.
- BeatBox So Far Out House: Looks like an outhouse, secretly a party. Because Austin.
- Coca-Cola Refresh Lounge: Shade, photos, cold drinks, aka “thank god.”
- DashPass Lounge: Premium restrooms, food vouchers, daily snacks, and charging stations if you’re a member.
- Miller Lite Bar 75: Free Wi-Fi, DJs, swag, beer. Basically ACL’s living room.
- Hacienda Patrón: Two-story tequila palace with vinyl DJ sets. Adults only, obviously.
- Topo Chico Cantina: Seltzers with Tajín rims. Extra points if you Instagram the can before drinking it.
- Snapchat Tower: Your Bitmoji gets to dance. Which is either fun or haunting.
- Defender Experience: Sit in a luxury SUV, pretend you’re outdoorsy, then go back to eating tacos.
What’s New in 2025
- Bigger Stages: Miller Lite, Lady Bird, and BMI all upgraded with more screens, lights, and sound. Translation: less squinting from the back.
- More Shade: Added tents and trees where possible. Not enough to stop the sun from roasting you, but progress.
- More Hydration Stations: Refill bottles with cold water, not regret.
Sustainability and Giving Back
ACL is doubling down on recycling, composting, and keeping Zilker clean. Programs like Rock & Recycle let you trade a bag of recyclables for a special ACL tee. Last year alone, 45,000 pounds of materials were recovered and reused. Over 20 years, ACL has pumped $71 million back into Austin Parks. So yes, those tickets hurt your wallet, but at least they help the trails.
Pro Tips
- Map it out: Use the ACL mobile app to plan stages and exits.
- Shade strategy: Scope sponsor lounges early for cool-down spots.
- Shoes matter: You’ll walk miles. Do not break in new boots at ACL.
- Tag-a-Kid: Bringing kids? Guest Services will give them ID wristbands.
- Stream backup: Hulu is livestreaming select Weekend One sets. Perfect for when you “accidentally” bail early.
ACL Fest is about music first, but survival is its own art form. Hydrate, wear comfortable shoes, eat like royalty, and don’t be afraid to hide in Tito’s fridge when the sun gets brutal. Pace yourself — because singing along to Mr. Brightside with 75,000 strangers is only fun if you’re conscious for it.