Austin City Limits Music Festival 2026 Unveils Star-Studded 25th Anniversary Lineup Featuring Charli XCX, Twenty One Pilots, Lorde and More at Zilker Park
Austin’s signature fall tradition is preparing for one of its most significant years yet.
Austin City Limits Music Festival has officially unveiled its 2026 lineup as the iconic event celebrates its 25th anniversary at Zilker Park, bringing together some of the world’s biggest artists alongside rising talent, Texas musicians, and community-focused initiatives that continue to shape Austin far beyond the festival grounds.
Headliners for the 2026 ACL Fest include Charli XCX, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Twenty One Pilots, Lorde, Skrillex during Weekend One, Kings of Leon during Weekend Two, and The xx. The two-weekend festival returns October 2-4 and October 9-11 at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas.
The milestone anniversary arrives at a time when Austin continues to balance rapid growth, cultural identity, tourism demand, and investment in public spaces — with ACL Fest remaining one of the city’s most recognizable global events.
For many Austinites, the festival represents more than a music lineup. It is an annual economic driver, a cultural gathering point, and a major source of funding for public parks and green spaces throughout the city.
A 25-Year Milestone for Austin’s Music and Festival Scene
Since launching in 2002, Austin City Limits Music Festival has grown into one of the nation’s premier live music events, drawing hundreds of thousands of attendees to Zilker Park each year while helping reinforce Austin’s identity as the “Live Music Capital of the World.”
This year’s lineup reflects both mainstream star power and the festival’s long-standing reputation for artist discovery.
Beyond the headliners, the 2026 ACL Fest lineup includes Turnstile, Labrinth, Lola Young, The Chainsmokers, Geese, Young Miko, Bleachers, SOFI TUKKER, Parcels, The War On Drugs, Leon Thomas, and Brandon Flowers during Weekend One.
Festival organizers also highlighted an extensive list of emerging artists expected to attract attention this year, including Sienna Spiro, Audrey Hobert, Bella Kay, STELLA LEFTY, Paris Paloma, Skye Newman, Claire Rosinkranz, Rochelle Jordan, Charlotte Lawrence, Molly Santana, Faouzia, Cassandra Coleman, Sasha Keable, Izzy Escobar, and Chelsea Jordan.
The festival’s continued emphasis on new and developing talent remains part of what has historically made ACL Fest influential within the broader music industry.
Texas Artists and Austin Roots Remain Central to ACL Fest
Even as ACL Fest has expanded into a globally recognized music destination, organizers say maintaining Texas roots remains central to the event’s identity.
This year’s homegrown Texas artists include Bo Staloch, World Famous Pets, Calder Allen, Solya, Asleep At The Wheel, DJ Cassandra, Cure For Paranoia, NIGHT TRAVELER, Grocery Bag, Coleman Jennings, lluvii, Montclair, Almost Heaven, Left Lucid, The 4411, The Moriah Sisters, and the Huston Tillotson University Jazz Collective.
The 2026 lineup also places a spotlight on Latin artists, including Young Miko, rusowsky, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Paloma Morphy, Damaris Bojor, and Rubio.
For local music fans, the inclusion of Austin and Texas-based performers alongside internationally recognized acts continues to reinforce the festival’s role as both a national attraction and a hometown celebration.
ACL Fest’s Economic and Community Impact Extends Beyond Music
While the music lineup often drives headlines, ACL Fest’s impact on Austin parks and public infrastructure remains one of the festival’s largest long-term contributions to the city.
Since 2006, Austin City Limits Music Festival and Austin Parks Foundation have generated more than $79 million toward park improvements and public green spaces across Austin.
In 2025 alone, festival ticket sales contributed $8.5 million to support Austin parks, trails, and recreational projects.
According to Austin Parks Foundation, upcoming projects supported through ACL Fest funding include improvements at Chestnut Pocket Park, Grand Meadow Neighborhood Park, Onion Creek Metropolitan Park, and multiple sport court upgrades across Austin districts.
As Austin continues experiencing population growth and development pressure, funding for accessible public green space has become increasingly important for neighborhoods across the city.
For many residents, ACL Fest’s ongoing investment in parks helps connect the event’s global popularity back to tangible local improvements families can experience year-round.
More Than Music: Experiences Expand Across Zilker Park
Festival organizers are also expanding fan experiences throughout the grounds during the anniversary year.
The Bonus Tracks stage will return as a hub for interviews, podcast recordings, cooking demonstrations, dance lessons, drag performances, wellness activities, and surprise artist appearances.
Past Bonus Tracks programming has featured conversations with Brené Brown and Matthew McConaughey, appearances from Billie Eilish, Noah Cyrus, Antonio Porowski, Japanese Breakfast, and Dave Grohl, along with community-centered programming unique to Austin culture.
Meanwhile, Spotify is partnering with ACL Fest for a new in-app experience allowing fans to discover their personalized “Festival Persona,” curate custom playlists based on the 2026 lineup, and explore artist recommendations tied to their listening habits.
Disney+ and Hulu will also serve as the official streaming destinations for Weekend One performances, interviews, and festival coverage for viewers unable to attend in person.
Ticket Sales Begin as Austin Prepares for Another Busy Fall Festival Season
Three-day General Admission, GA+, VIP, Platinum, hotel packages, and hospitality experiences officially go on sale at 12 p.m. CT today through ACLFestival.com. Layaway plans are available.
Single-day tickets will be announced later.
Festival organizers also confirmed that children ages 8 and under will continue receiving free admission to general admission areas when accompanied by a ticketed adult.
New hospitality offerings this year include the Speakeasy Lounge, a private air-conditioned group experience designed for gatherings of 25 to 75 guests overlooking the festival grounds.
Returning premium options include VIP viewing decks, Platinum front-of-stage access, golf cart transportation, lounge experiences, and the elevated Bungalow hospitality package overlooking the T-Mobile Stage.
What Happens Next for ACL Fest 2026
Additional announcements, including Austin Kiddie Limits programming, the Bonus Tracks lineup, and the Disney+ and Hulu streaming schedule, are expected later this summer.
As Austin City Limits Music Festival enters its 25th year, the event continues to reflect the evolution of Austin itself — blending global entertainment, local music culture, neighborhood investment, and community gathering into one of Texas’ most recognizable annual traditions.
For longtime residents and first-time attendees alike, the 2026 festival is shaping up to be both a celebration of Austin’s music legacy and a look at where the city’s cultural identity continues to grow next.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for additional updates on Austin City Limits Music Festival 2026, local events, and community developments across Austin.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.