Ultimate ACL Festival Guide
Austin City Limits is almost here, and TicketCity has created your complete guide to this year’s ACL Festival! We’ve got all the information you need, from how to get to ACL, what to bring, who to see and what to do during and after the festival, we’ve got all the info you need to have the best ACL Experience ever!
The 2020 Austin City Limits Festival takes place over the two weekends: October 2-4 and October 9-11. If you have not gotten your tickets for the festival yet, TicketCity has 3 day passes for both weekends, as well as single day tickets, which can be found here.
How to get to ACL:
Bicycle & Scooter:
One of the most popular and probably the easiest way to get to ACL is via bicycle or scooter! The festival has bike racks and scooter parking near most entrances. You may also rent a bicycle from B-cycle, which has 50 stations around the downtown area and usually has a valet set up on Barton Springs Road.
Public Transportation:
Austin’s public transportation system is another great and affordable way to access ACL Festival. Capital Metro has several busses that run downtown, as well as a Metrorail that will be running an extended schedule during both ACL weekends. Capital Metro will also be the one providing the free shuttle services from Republic Square Park.
Shuttle:
The festival offers a free shuttle service to and from the festival from the Republic Square located at 4th and Guadalupe. The shuttles run from noon to 11pm every day of the festival.
Taxis & Rideshare:
The festival has a designated area for drop offs and pickups for those who choose to take a taxi or rideshare programs such as Uber and Lyft. Keep in mind that the area around the festival is a restricted area so you’ll have to get north of the river or a few blocks away before you can be picked up on your way home.
Driving:
There’s no parking at Zilker. Driving to the festival is not recommended as there is no parking available and most of the streets near the festival will be shut down. If you choose to drive to the festival, it is recommended that you park somewhere downtown, where you can then walk or take the free shuttle service to the festival.
What to bring:
- Small, single pocket drawstring bags
- Small, empty hydration packs
- Small purses or fanny packs
- Water bottles, empty
- Binoculars
- Blankets, sheets, towels
- Strollers
- Camera without detachable lenses
- Portable/collapsable chairs
- Sunscreen, bug repellent
- Battery chargers
What NOT to bring:
- Backpacks & bags with multiple pockets
- Any bag larger than 14”x”11”x5”
- E-cigs, vaping devices
- Any liquids
- Tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, GoPro mounts
- Aerosol containers (including aerosol bug spray and sunscreen)
- Many other things like coolers, tents, hammocks, umbrellas are prohibited so please check the ACL Festival website for the latest information on prohibited items.
There’s also a “No Bag Express Lane”, so leave the bag behind to avoid the lines to enter ACL.
Forgot something?
ACL Bodegas are a recent addition to ACL. The bodegas are one-stop shops that offer most festival necessities as well as fresh fruit and snacks. If you find yourselves in need of sunscreen, ponchos, or anything else stop by one of the bodegas!
The State Farm #HereToHelp tent is another place to stop by if you’ve forgotten something. The air-conditioned tent offers cell free cell phone charging and wi-fi as well as free sunscreen, sunglasses and more!
Shopping & Other Activities:
Besides the great lineup each year, there’s an increasing number of activities at ACL. These options vary year-to-year, but here are a few examples from recent history so you’ll know what to expect.
Places to Eat:
The ACL Eats Food Court offers a wide variety of food and drinks from some over 30 of Austin’s top restaurants! Fill up with food from Torchy’s Tacos, The Peached Tortilla, P. Terry’s Burgers, or cool down with Amy’s Ice Cream and GoodPop Popsicles.
Art Market
If you want to get away from the crowd and music for a bit, ACL has an art market where you can browse various goods from both national and local artists. Some of the vendors include Blue Lux, Austin Art Garage, Moniker Guitars and Futurgarb.
Waterloo Records Honda Artist signing shack
Want the opportunity to meet some of your favorite ACL artists? The Waterloo Records Honda Artist Signing Shack hosts autograph signings for various ACL artists every day of the festival for free! Those that swing by the shack to get autographs will also have the chance to win a new car!
Miller Lite Game Hall
The Miller Lite Game Hall features various vintage and modern arcade games, a photo booth and phone charging stations!
Austin Kiddie Limits
Austin City Limits is family friendly. Children ages 10 and under do not need a ticket for ACL and can enter the festival for free when accompanied by a ticketed adult. ACL has the Austin Kiddie Limits area that offers several fun activities for families. Austin Kiddie Limits is open from 11:00am-7:00pm every day.
Didn’t get enough at ACLFest?
Some of the best artists in the ACL Lineup are also playing the official ACL Late Night shows that are during the nights surrounding and of the festival. The Late Night Shows are played at much smaller venues than Zilker Park, such as Emos, Stubb’s and The Moody Theatre. This year’s ACL Late Night performers include artists such as Major Lazer, The Chainsmokers, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, Band of Horses, Cold War Kids, Porter Robinson & Madeon, Haim, LL Cool J, M83, Two Door Cinema Club and more! Check out all of the ACL Late Night shows and purchase tickets here.