One of the biggest music festivals in the country is back! We don’t know about you, but we’re ready to party. The Austin City Limits Annual Music Festival is well into its second decade and it’s coming back as strong as ever! From music (and food) lineups to new rules and bans, we’ve got you covered. Read ahead to know everything about October’s biggest party.
Where else can you find quality music shows and concerts but in the self-proclaimed Live Music Capital of the World? This fall, the city of Austin boasts an excessively full slate of musical happenings from intimate stages to the biggest festivals in the world. And this October, we’ve got the motherload for you. The annual Austin City Music Festival is back in town and boy, the word “epic” doesn’t even cover it. So, enough chitchat. Let’s talk about the ACL and everything you need to know about it.
Austin City Limits Venue, Schedules, etc.
What: ACL Music Festival 2018
When: TWO (Yes, two) weekends, Fridays to Sundays on October 5 to 7 and October 12 to 14
Where: Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, Texas
Official Website: https://www.aclfestival.com/
Musical Line Up
The Austin City Limits Festival is known to pulling out all the stops when it comes to its music lineup. And this year is no different. This year, they have 8 stages, more than 125 performances – and best of all, two weekends. Metallica and Travis Scott will headline along with this year’s can’t-miss act: Sir Paul McCartney. And even though there have been rumblings and dissatisfaction about this year’s lineups, ACL has everything that will suit your music tastes.
David Byrne of the Talking Heads will be coming to ACL along with Chidish Gambino, Arctic Monkeys, Odesza, Khalid and Shawn Mendes. It looks like everyone will be there.
Food Line Up
To fuel up for all of that dancing, standing, and swaying, the ACL released its complete food vendor list. And of course, it comes with an almost entirely Austin focus, for both weekends. If you’re not only a music lover but a foodie as well, you’re in for a treat.
New to the ACL Music Festival’s food lineup this year are Tacodeli with tacos (because, duh) and Frank, known for its hot dogs, sausages, and waffles. There’s also Noble Sandwich Co. for some must-have essential sandwiches. And health nuts rejoice, because healthy options from Blenders & Bowls will also be available. Last but definitely not the least, some fried chicken sandwiches from Flyrite Chicken will surely fulfill your hungry pangs.
Check out our full list below.
Food vendors will be serving all day. Cash, credit, debit, and ACL Cashless payments are accepted. Plenty of ATMs will be available throughout the park.
Austin City Limits Music Festival’s Food Vendors for 2018
- Amy’s Ice Creams
- Austin Pizza
- Bananarchy
- *Blenders & Bowls
- Burro Grilled Cheese
- Chi’lantro
- East Side King
- *Flyrite Chicken
- *Frank
- GoodPop
- High Brew Coffee
- JuiceLand
- Kababeque
- Lamba’s Indian Kitchen
- Lonesome Dove Western Bistro
- Maine Root Beverages
- Micklethwait Craft Meats
- The Mighty Cone
- Mmmpanadas
- *The Noble Pig
- The Peached Tortilla
- The Salt Lick
- Shade Tree Organic Lemonade
- Shake Shack
- Skull & Cakebones
- Sno-Beach
- Southside Flying Pizza
- *Tacodeli
- Tamale Addiction
- Tiff’s Treats
- Tino’s Greek Café
- Torchy’s Tacos
- Trudy’s
- Wholly Cow
New To Austin City Limits Music Festival
The ACL Music Festival announced a couple of new changes to their policies and management. Some are definitely major improvements and is bound to make the experience even more smooth. However, some changes might make you wanna shake your head. Nevertheless, ACL thinks it’s going to be the best year yet. Here’s what’s new with Austin City Limits Music Festival.
New Bag Policy
There is a new policy in bags this year. Small purses, totes and drawstring bags are the ONLY types of bags allowed inside the festival. According to the official website, “Bag size may not exceed 14” x 11” x 5” (35cm x 28cm x 12cm), or 30 linear inches (75cm) in total, and must have no more than one singular pocket or opening. Backpacks and bags with multiple pockets are prohibited.”
Additionally, liquids are NOT allowed inside.
New Exit Area
The ACL is opening the east side of the HomeAway stage so that fans can take a more direct route to either of the Barton Springs exits after the last set is done.
Hungry? There’s Another Food Court
Aside from the ACL Eats food court on the north side of the park, there will also be even more food vendors to the south food court near the Barton Springs stage. Food Vendors include:
Amy’s Ice Creams
Burro Grilled Cheese
GoodPop
mmmpanadas
Southside Flying Pizza
The Salt Lick
Tinos Greek Cafe
Wholly Cow Burgers
ACL Cares Academy
Also new this year at ACL is its Cares Academy where you can involved with a variety of causes, including art, the environment, and organizations committed to improving the quality of life for their community and future generations. The area will include interactive panels, meet and greets, and fun activities inclined at charitable deeds.
VIP Viewing Deck
VIP Guests will enjoy elevated viewing deck for exceptional views of the American Express stage for the first time ever. This deck will be located in connection to the VIP Grove. Food and beverages will be served.
ACL Wine Lounge
At ACL, it’s always wine o’clock. Campo Viejo is bringing wine to a whole new level this year. Located in a beautiful shady grove, the lounge features a wine shop and has something for every wine enthusiast from classic varietals to frosé, spritzes and other specialties. There will also be another bar and CamelBak Hydration Station near Rock Island for added convenience on the east side of the park.
Note: VIP and Platinum guests will have access to a new bar near Rock Island in the General Admission area to get drinks on the go.
How To Get There
Note: There is no parking available at Zilker Park for the Austin City Limits.
Free Shuttle Service: ACL Fest is providing Complimentary Official Festival Shuttles. Boarding will be at the Republic Square Park at the corner of 4th & Guadalupe. Drop off point will be at Barton Springs Road outside theBarton Springs West Entrance. The shuttles begin at Republic Square at 10:30AM and make their final return from the park at 11PM each day of the Festival.
Uber: ACL Fest is in official partnership with Uber. Using Uber will provide access to dedicated pick-up and drop off points, as well as exclusive surprises just for Uber riders throughout the festival.
Public Transportation: Cap Metro provides dozen bus routes that operate every 15 minutes, 7 days a week within the area. The MetroRapid Route 803 is the best way to arrive at the festival.
Bike: Attendees are encouraged to go the festival through bicycles and scooters. Bike parking is available on Stratford Drive near the Mopac Pedestrian Bridge as well as on Toomey Road at Sterzing Street and on Azie Morton Rd.
Walking: Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail is the recommended easiest path to the festival grounds.
That’s it! That’s everything you need to know to prepare for Austin’s biggest favorite music festival of the year! And you better bring your party on!