Austin City Limits Music Festival, more commonly called ACL Fest, is back for its 22nd year. The two weekend festival will take over Austin’s Zilker Park (and all roads caught in its path) October 4-6, and October 11-13. Here’s what you can expect during weekend one of ACL Fest this year, from artists to installations and some perks.
The 2024 ACL Fest headliners are Chris Stapleton (Fri), Dua Lipa (Sat), and Tyler, the Creator (Sun). Gates open at 12pm on Friday and 11am on Saturday and Sunday. So, be sure to check your schedule. There’s a mixture of local favorites, up and coming artists, well known performers and OG’s. Below are who we’re catching and when they perform.
Day One
- Mon Rovîa – 1:40pm on the BMI Stage
- Paco Versailles – 2:45pm on the Tito’s Handmade Vodka Stage
- Norah Jones – 4:10pm on the Honda Stage
- Leon Bridges – 6:30pm on the American Express Stage
- Chris Stapleton – 8:30pm on the American Express Stage
Day Two
- Godly the Ruler – 11:55am on the Miller Lite Stage
- PawPaw Rod – 12:05pm on the T-Mobile Stage
- SHXNFRESH – 12:35pm on the Tito’s Handmade Vodka Stage
- Uncle Jumbo – 2:30pm on the Austin Kiddie Limits Stage
- Brittany Davis – 3:05pm on the Tito’s Handmade Vodka Stage
- Teddy Swims – 4:10pm on the Honda Stage
- Hermanos Gutiérrez – 5:20pm on the T-Mobile Stage
- Kenny Beats – 6:20pm on the Tito’s Handmade Vodka Stage
- Vince Staples – 7:20pm on the IHG Hotels and Resorts Stage
- Dua Lipa – 8:20pm on the American Express Stage
Day Three
- The Levites – 12:15pm on the Tito’s Handmade Vodka Stage
- Chief Cleopatra– 12:30pm on the IHG Hotels and Resorts Stage
- FLO – 1:40pm on the Miller Lite Stage
- Deyaz – 1:40pm on the BMI Stage
- SaulPaul – 3:30pm on the Austin Kiddie Limits Stage
- Myles Smith – 3:45pm on the IHG Hotels and Resorts Stage
- Uncle Jumbo – 4:15pm on the Austin Kiddie Limits Stage
- That Mexican OT – 5:45pm on the T-Mobile Stage
- Chappell Roan – 6:45pm on the American Express Stage
- Kehlani – 7:25pm on the Miller Lite Stage
- Tyler, the Creator – 8:45pm on the American Express Stage
Don’t just follow that list, though, because with all the people we listed, there’s still tons more for you to see and maybe find your new favorite artist.
Activations
Now, though music is what the festival is all about, there’s more to do on the grounds, such as exploring the many installations like the Amex Experience, Amex Saloon, or a Hendrick’s Gin activation featuring the Hendrick’s Trunk Bar.
Near the Artists Village, Hendrick’s Trunk Bar will provide a shaded area with seating for cooling off and lounging between sets, a beautiful floral install for the perfect photo moment in your festival fit, and surprise giveaways. There will also be cocktails made with their latest release, The Grand Cabaret, available for purchase. The Hendrick’s activation and Hendrick’s Trunk Bar are open to all, capacity allowing.
The Amex Experience is an immersive space also open to all festival goers, where you can explore the merch customization room, a “Get Ready with Me” area where visitors can freshen up and enjoy nice selfie moments, a small business market, a disco cowboy inspired bar featuring alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and a mystery merch window. The merch window, located on the outside the Amex Experience, will give cardholders the chance to purchase exclusive mystery merch boxes from Dua Lipa and Tyler, the Creator, as well as ACL Fest merch, while supplies last.
The Amex Saloon, exclusively available to premium Amex cardholders, will be next to the American Express Stage and will feature a saloon inspired bar and lounge with limited space. Inside the space, there will be beverages available for purchase, personalized boot brandings, and sign ups for American Express side stage viewing access (while capacities allow). *All perks inside the saloon are available for premium cardholders only.
Also stop by these installations/activations:
- Aperol Spritz Piazza
- Coke Studio
- Honda Recharge Retreat
- Miller Lite Bar 75
- Rambler Sparkling Water
- Snap Nation
- T-Mobile Club Magenta
- ACL Fest with Tito’s
- Topo Chico Hard Seltzer Cantina
- Wrangler Ranch
If you’re bringing the children with you, check out Austin Kiddie Limits presented by Lifeway Kefir, Festival goers can get their pictures taken with the larger than life “Love your Guts” mural. Fill up your tummies with probiotic kefir, have some fun with group yoga, and namaste with Lifeway under the summer sun with family and friends. There is also a separate concert stage in Austin Kiddie Limits with family friendly performances.
Food and Drinks
If you’re worried about being at a festival all day with nothing to eat or drink, don’t. From the plethora of options available, you’re bound to find something to please your palate. Below are all the different eatery areas throughout the grounds.
- Bambino in the Big Tent
- La Pachanga Eatery curated by the Taco Mafia
- ACL Eats
- ACL Sweets
- Slushies Truck
- Barton Beach Club Tiki Bar
- El Patioville
- ACL Market
- Bodegas
- Electrolit hydration stations
Other Perks
While this is starting to sound like a sponsored article, it is not. American Express is just heavily involved with the festival this year. So, with that being said, here are some more festival perks for Amex cardholders.
Card Members and their guests who have linked an American Express Card to their ACL Wristband can use the Amex Cashless Entrances at Barton Springs West and Lady Bird Lake to get to the music faster. As a “thank you” for registering for ACL Cashless with their American Express Card, cardholders will receive a $5 Spend Credit toward purchases made at the festival. Lastly, there will be a Card Member Lane at Main Merch. This is a dedicated fast lane to skip the main line and start shopping sooner.
Helpful Tips
Whether this is your first time attending ACL Fest or not, it’s always good to learn new tips. Follow these to make your experience a little more enjoyable and worry-free.
Save your time trying to drive down or use ride-share, and just take the free festival shuttle that runs from Republic Square on the corner of 4th and San Antonio Street. These shuttles run to and from the festival all day. Alternatively, rental bikes and scooters are also popular transportation options.
Download the app. Here, you’re able to reserve a locker if you want, view a map of the festival grounds, and create and save your schedule. There’s even an option to be notified a certain amount of time before performances.
If you’re picking up your wristbands from the box office and will be in town a day early, stop by the pre-fest box office at the Parmer Event Center, October 3, 11am – 8pm. The address is 900 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, Texas.
Be sure to bring an empty reusable water bottle or hydration pack. There will be plenty of filling stations onsite, but you’ll need your own container. Again, make sure it’s empty. Otherwise, you’ll have to pour out its contents before entering the festival. Also take advantage of all the canned water being passed out by ACL and its sponsors.
Bring a clear bag no larger than 12” x 6” x 12” to store your goodies. There are going to be a lot of souvenirs given out. So, bring something to hold them. Also, if you do walk down Barton Springs during the festival, there will be even more freebies given out up and down the street. Even if you don’t attend the festival, you can enjoy this for free.
Finally, try to avoid arriving during peak times, 3pm – 5pm. Doing this will help you get to and into the festival much faster. Most importantly, have fun! Enjoy the experience, and take breaks as needed. We hope this is helpful. See you at the flags!
For more information, including a full list of allowed and prohibited items to bring into the festival, follow this link.
