Written by: Victoria Crespin and Breann Brown
Austin, Texas just wrapped up two of the biggest weekends in music with Austin City Limits (ACL) taking over Zilker Park.Typically Zilker is available for Austin locals and visitors to enjoy nature near Barton Springs, but during ACL this 350 acre park in South Austin is completely transformed. Since the early 2000s, ACL has been a pioneer within the festival space; where local acts, major headliners, and rising stars get to showcase their talents in the city of Austin.
Attracting an expected 450,000 people total, Austin City Limits Festival offers two back to back weekends of experience. The lineup offers special and exclusive acts for each weekend, making the two weekends unique for attendees! Weekend one takes place from October 3-5, 2025 and Weekend two occurs from October 10-12, 2025. ACL is more than just a festival – it’s a full blown experience that brings together some of the biggest names across every genre of music that you can possibly think of. Afterall, Austin is known to be the live music capital of the world!
This year’s lineup didn’t disappoint, with standout performances on Day 1 from Role Model, Empire of the Sun, Hozier, King Princess to last day best day vibes with Polo & Pan, John Summit, Luke Combs, and Zeds Dead. In addition to the headlining talents seen on the lineup, there were also smaller more intimate stages to enjoy such as Bonus Tracks and the BeatBox stage. Every night at the Tito’s stage, Silent Disco features the multi-channel headsets we all know and love – giving attendees 3 different vibes all in one place. Good music and great energy could be found in every direction!
What makes this festival extra special? It is genuinely for everyone! Featuring all genres and all ages, you’ll see kids in wagons all the way to seniors enjoying the festival together in one place. Tucked inside the buzzing heart of Austin City Limits, there’s a little world that feels like pure sunshine called Austin Kiddie Limits. From live performances to craft stations and interactive art, it’s proof that the festival magic starts young. ACL keeps the experience accessible and safe using the Tag-Your-Kid program. Kids 8 and under get free entry with an adult ticket, and the area is designed with shade, cooling zones, and dedicated family spaces for comfort and care. Staff and volunteers go above and beyond to make sure parents can relax while little ones explore freely music, movement, and all.
You can also bring your own chairs (as long as they are not inflatables) and blankets to kick it back with your crew. There are designated sections for chairs with lockers available for storage, so whether you’re there to dance all day and night or just want to chill, ACL’s got you covered.
Beyond the outstanding music ACL offers, the festival is known for its incredible brand activations and mouth-watering food selection. Some of the activation highlights from the weekend included: T-Mobile, Tito’s Vodka, Patrón (which even had surprise DJ sets!), and DoorDash. When it comes to food, ACL likes to keep it local through their “ACL Eats” program, showcasing some of the best Texas small-based vendors the city has to offer. From the popular BBQ to the sweetest desserts, everything felt like a true taste of Austin at ACL.
Another major win for festival-goers this year was the free transportation. ACL offered complimentary shuttles from Sand Beach Park starting at 11 a.m. and running well past the festival’s end time; dropping you just a short walk away from the entrance. The busses were clean and all of the drivers were extremely friendly! The lines were never longer than 20 minutes and the pick up and drop off location was convenient for hotels, clubs, quick bites, and last-minute shopping!
There’s something about ACL that radiates pure Texas soul from the golden sunsets and good people to music that makes you feel alive. Between the amazing music, the local delicious eats, and the well thought-out details, Austin City Limits once again proved why it’s one of the most iconic festivals in the country.