Austin City Limits Music Festival returns to Zilker Park for its 22nd year on October 6–8 and October 13–15. The City of Austin is excited to host music fans from across the country to take in the vibrance and local culture for these two weekends. Before the festival begins, attendees are encouraged to read through guidance from the City of Austin to ensure a safe and fun experience.
Austin Parks & Recreation Department (PARD)
- Festival setup, which includes safety fencing, is underway. This park access map outlines impacts on the grounds.
- Visit the ACL Fest Website to learn about bags, water bottles, and other allowed/prohibited items.
- Pack an empty, refillable water bottle and stay hydrated throughout the event.
- Wear shoes, clothes, and hats that are appropriate for the outdoor environment and weather conditions.
- Communicate your anticipated whereabouts ahead of time and set a meeting place in case cell phone coverage is intermittent at the festival.
- Ensure your phone is fully charged when you arrive.
- Stay aware of your surroundings.
- Please follow Leave No Trace principles. Plan ahead and prepare. Dispose of waste properly. Be considerate of other visitors.
Park Rules and City Ordinances:
- Glass and Styrofoam are not allowed on park grounds.
- No outside alcohol is allowed on site.
- Swimming in Lady Bird Lake is prohibited.
- Smoking and vaping are prohibited in City of Austin parks. Violators are subject to a Class C Misdemeanor.
- Vending at the park site without a permit will result in a minimum $200 fine – a Class C Misdemeanor.
Austin Transportation and Public Works Department (TPW)
- A free shuttle service provided by ACL Fest boards at Republic Square Park and drops riders at the entrance to the festival. Attendees can also ride the shuttle back downtown each evening of the festival.
- CapMetro: Use the CapMetro trip planner to and from the park - MetroRapid 803 is the best route to get directly to ACL Fest.
- Hike & Bike Trail: Walk or bike directly to the festival. Bring a light and remember motorized vehicles are not permitted on the trail.
- Bicycle: This bike detour map provides routes around the festival.
- Micromobility: If you are taking a shared scooter or bike to the event, drop off the device in a designated area before entering the grounds.
- Rideshare: Pickup and drop-off points will be located near MoPac at Veterans Drive, Lee Barton Drive, Jessie Street, and Wallingwood Drive.
- There is no parking at Zilker Park or in the surrounding neighborhoods. Parking on the grass or on unauthorized park grounds will result in a large fine during special events.
- This street closure map provides a full preview of the road closure and lane reduction schedule.
- Barton Springs Pool remains open. This map shows access routes.
Austin Police Department (APD)
- APD will conduct a No Refusal Initiative that will coincide with the upcoming ACL Fest. This initiative will be in effect from October 5 through October 16 and will run daily from 9:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. This initiative is an effort to enforce DWI laws, keep the public safe by encouraging drivers to make responsible decisions, and to apply for blood search warrants on suspects who refuse to provide a breath or blood specimen as required by law. APD and TPW are continuously focused on preventing lives from being lost on the streets, highways, and waterways of Austin.
- Pay attention to your surroundings, especially in crowds.
- Keep your phone and ID/credit cards/cash in separate places on your person.
- Do not keep your phone in your back pocket - phones sticking out of back pockets or backpacks are not secure.
- Keep property in a secure location (front pocket, fanny pack) or leave at home.
- Record serial number information for your device and store it separately.
- Notify on-site security/APD immediately for assistance.
- Utilize APD’s online reporting site or Austin 3-1-1 (non-emergency) to report theft.
- Check the ACL Fest lost and found site to report or attempt to locate a lost cell phone.
- If you see something, say something.
Austin Fire Department (AFD)
- Be aware of a large volume of pedestrians sharing the roadway in the area around the festival.
- If there is an emergency response to the area, please give right-of-way to allow emergency vehicles access.
- Dispose of smoking materials safely.
- AFD will be on-site to ensure all fire code requirements are met.
Austin-Travis County EMS (ATCEMS)
- ATCEMS will provide on-site medical resources at the festival.
- If you or someone you're with experiences a medical emergency and can make it to the medical tent, please do so. If unable, call 9-1-1 and provide as many details about where the medics need to go to reach the patient as quickly as possible.
- Download and use the What3Words App both during emergencies and personal use at the festival.
- Consume alcohol in moderation and avoid using illicit substances.
- Do not take pills that have not been prescribed to you and legally dispensed from a licensed pharmacy.
Austin Public Health (APH)
APH recommends attendees get vaccinated, use hand sanitizer and wash hands often, and stay home if you feel sick.
Communication During the Festival
The City of Austin will utilize X and Facebook to push out relevant information. The Austin Police Department, Austin-Travis County EMS, Austin Fire Department, and Austin Emergency Management will also employ their X feeds for time-sensitive notifications.
ACL Fest will utilize their website, Facebook, X, Instagra
Community members and visitors should call 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency – where there is an immediate threat to life or property – and Austin 3-1-1 (512-974-2000) to report a non-emergency situation.
A Message from ACL Fest and C3 Presents
We strive to continually update and evolve our safety and security protocols, which include education and preventative measures to keep people safe. With this in mind, we are partnering with This Must Be the Place, an overdose prevention nonprofit, who will educate music fans about the dangers of Fentanyl and supply them with the life-saving opioid reversal medicine, Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan. We encourage attendees to stop by their booth at the festival and learn more.
About Austin Center for Events
The Austin Center for Events (ACE) is a collaborative assembly of City of Austin departments and agencies designed to streamline special event permitting on public and private property. ACE is anchored by teams from Austin Public Health, Transportation and Public Works, Parks, Music, Police, Fire, EMS, Austin Resource Recovery, Development Services, and partner agencies, and works closely with event organizers to guide them through the special event permitting process.
