Dust, Divas & Kids on Dads: ACL Fest 2026 Celebrates 25 Years in Austin

Austin City Limits Music Festival turned 25 this October, and Zilker Park celebrated the only wayit knows how: with great music, huge crowds, and enough dust to take home as a souvenir.
Weekend Two ran October 9th – 11th, bringing fans together for three days of live music across
nine stages. With artists like Charli XCX, Lorde, The xx, and The Chainsmokers on the lineup,
there was no shortage of reasons to spend the weekend outside. The only catch? You were
going to leave covered in dust.

Charli XCX brought the pop energy, Lorde gave fans plenty of feelings to work through, and The xx delivered their signature mix of moody sounds and cool vibes. The lineup also featured
Audrey Hobert, Labrinth, and Lola Young. The Chainsmokers had fans dancing like nobody was
watching. Natasha Bedingfield had the entire park screaming “I’ve got a pocket full of sunshine”.

With so many artists to see, attendees were constantly deciding which stage to run to next.
Between sets, the brand activations gave festivalgoers plenty to do. BeatBox’s Music Mirage
offered fun activities and a place to recharge, while Aperol Day Club brought the spritzes and
photo ops. The Coca-Cola Refresh Lounge gave fans a break from the sun, and Defender
brought a taste of adventure to the park. T-Mobile Club Magenta offered charging stations and
giveaways, while Miller Lite had spaces to hang out between performances. Snapchat also gave
fans a chance to turn their favorite festival photos into custom keychains. Because why settle for a camera roll full of memories when you can take home a tiny version of one?

The food and drinks (hydration was key) were another big part of the weekend. ACL Eats and
Sweets brought back festival favorites, local Austin spots, and plenty of snacks to keep
everyone going. There were tacos to grab, frozen drinks to cool off with, and sweet treats for
anyone needing a break from the music. I was personally a fan of the tajin pickles and shaved
ice.

The weather had its own plans, too. After the rain and mud of Weekend One, Weekend Two
brought sunny skies and plenty of dust. With thousands of people walking around Zilker Park,
the dirt seemed to get everywhere. Pro tip for next year: wear a bandana, or beware of the
post-fest flu!

One of the best sights was seeing kids riding on their dads’ shoulders, rocking out above the
crowds. These little music fans had the best views in the park, and their dads were clearly
committed to making sure they didn’t miss a thing. Forget VIP tickets. Apparently, the best way to see the stage is to have a dad with strong shoulders.

ACL also continued its work to support Austin beyond the festival grounds. The event partners
with Austin Parks Foundation to help keep the city’s parks and green spaces in good shape. Its
efforts include recycling, composting, and free water refill stations. The partnership has raised
more than $79 million for Austin’s parks, trails, and green spaces. Not bad for a festival that
started 25 years ago.

Another ACL weekend has come and gone, leaving behind great photos, unforgettable
performances, sore feet, and a tickle in our throats. Here’s to (at least) 25 more years of music,
memories, and beautiful chaos in Austin.

Audrey Hobart :

Bleachers :

Chainsmokers :

Claire R :

Finn Wolfhard :