First time going to ACL Fest in Austin? Here's everything you need to know
You've never been to Austin City Limits Music Festival, you've picked out your outfits (and your comfortable shoes, we hope), but you still have questions. Team Austin360 has been going since Year One and we have answers. We asked a few first-time attendees for 2023 what they most wanted to know. Here are their questions and our answers.
What time should I arrive?
Gates open at noon on Fridays and 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The music starts starts at 12:45 p.m. Fridays, 11:30 a.m. Saturdays, and noon Sundays each weekend. Consider your stamina (this is between you and your feet) and plan around the acts you most want to see. If your dream is to see Shania Twain's headline set (Saturday of weekend one only), do you need to be site when the "Star Wars" theme plays at gate time?
That said, we recommend arriving in time for some early afternoon sets. Yes, it's hot (usually), but crowds will be heavier and your wait time at gates will be significantly longer by late afternoon. Plus, ACL Fest has a good track record for programming rising stars in those early bird sets. Think Shakey Graves, Lizzo, Gary Clark Jr.
What should I bring?
Sunscreen, earplugs and a hat are must-haves for most of us. The event is mostly cashless, and you can link a credit card to your wristband. Bring your ID, especially if you plan to partake in beer, wine or the new cocktails that will be available throughout the park. After that, it's really about your comfort and how much you want to carry around.
Some ACL-goers claim a space near their favorite headliner and build a family and friend camp with blankets and chairs (creative flags are a good way to let the rest of the crew know where you are). Others opt to pack lighter and stay mobile. You might want lip balm or makeup for touchups, hand sanitizer and a hand fan. Plan to take your selfies on your personal camera or cell phone. Leave the pro gear, selfie sticks and GoPro mounts at home.
Children ages 8 and younger are free and there is a special Austin Kiddie Limits stage for them. If you do bring the kids, strollers are allowed in the park.
Pro-tips: A pillowcase is easy to fold up and stick in a bag or pocket and makes a quick place to sit on the grass during breaks from the action. Throw a wad of toilet paper in your bag to make that unfortunate after dark trip to the Porta-Potty less unfortunate.
Are there water stations?
Yes, there are fill stations throughout the park. Definitely pack an empty refillable bottle. Hydration packs, like CamelBaks, also are allowed but must be empty on entry.
Are there personal bag restrictions?
Yes. Small purses and fanny packs that are 6-by-9 inches do not need to be clear, but they can't have more than one pocket. Bags larger than 6-by-9 inches must be clear and not bigger than 12-by-6-by-12 inches.
Can I bring food or drink in?
No outside food or drink allowed. See aclfestival.com for exceptions for medical needs.
What should I NOT bring?
Coolers, hammocks, glass containers, outside food and drink, umbrellas, tents or other shade structures, fireworks and weapons of any kind are not allowed in the park.
See the full list of what's allowed and not allowed at ACL Fest: support.aclfestival.com.
Can I ride-share/bike/scooter/drive myself?
Yes to the first three, but that last one is not recommended. There is no parking for festgoers at Zilker Park or the surrounding neighborhoods, and the limited paid parking options near by tend to sell out fast. There is limited ADA parking available on a first-come, first-serve basis, as well as ADA pickup and dropoff options. Details at aclfestival.com.
Other options:
ACL Fest provides complimentary shuttles to and from Zilker Park. Shuttles will run from Republic Square at the corner of Fourth and San Antonio streets starting at noon on Friday and 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday each weekend. The shuttle will drop you off outside the west entrance of the festival. You'll meet at the west entrance when you're done at the festival for a ride back to Republic Square.
Check the CapMetro schedule for routes that can get you close to the fest.
Get dropped off or park close to the Ann and Roy Butler Trail and walk to the park. Check out the interactive map of the trail to see possible routes at thetrailconservancy.org.
Have a good friend drop you off as close as you can get.
If I bike, is there bike parking?
You can lock up your bike on Stratford Drive after crossing MoPac bridge, on Toomey Road at Sterzing Street, or on Azie Morton Road. You also can drop off a MetroBike at Barton Springs Road and Sterzing Street, and there will be scooter parking in those areas, too.
What's the best way to plan out and schedule which shows and artists I want to see?
Step one: Use the guide put together by our own Deborah Sengupta Stith. She has mapped out a variety of experiences based on different genres and adventures. Read through them all to see if any bands new-to-you catch your fancy. You can use the official ACL Fest app to mark the acts you want to see and keep track of your schedule. We know folks who like to go old-school and write it out on paper, or in the notes app of the phone.
If you have a list of acts you want to see, make sure to look at the stage map to see how spread out they are by time and stage. After day one, you should have a pretty good sense of which stage is where, but it can be a hike from one stage to another, and as crowds thicken, it takes more time and desire to make those treks. Plan your moves based on the bands you absolutely don't want to miss, and have backups in other slots.
How early do I need to get to each stage set up to see my favorite artists?
Answer these questions: When are they playing, which stage are they on and how close to you want to get?
Sets earlier in the day are less crowded, and it's often easy to walk up close to the front. Some folks stake out front row spots for their favorite artists hours before they take the stage. The Tito's stage is a tent and it can fill up fast; if there is an act you really want to see there, especially later in the afternoon, maybe catch the act before so you can get a good spot.
Anything else a first-timer should know?
If you're with a group and will separate and come back together, have a designated time and spot to check in (do this with older kids and teens, too). There are places where you can recharge phones, but cell service can get spotty as the park fills up.
Plenty of action happens off the stages. Look for the experiences for photo opps, free stuff and maybe a place to cool off.
Finally, bring an open mind and be open to new music. You might discover your new favorite act, maybe from Austin, while waiting for the hit-makers to play.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Going to ACL Fest for the first time? What to know about lineup, more
