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The excitement is building: Austin City Limits (ACL) 2025 is just around the corner, and fans are already buzzing about who’s taking the stage. In this guide, we break down the ACL 2025 lineup, schedule, ticket info, news updates, and how to make the most of your festival experience.
What Is Austin City Limits Festival?
Austin City Limits is one of America’s premier multi-genre music festivals. Held at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas, ACL spans two weekends in October and draws thousands of music lovers each year.
Unlike single-day events, ACL offers over 100 performances across 9 stages, featuring acts across pop, rock, indie, country, electronic, and more.
ACL isn’t just about music: it’s a full festival experience with local food, art installations, sustainability initiatives, and community vibes.
ACL 2025 Lineup Overview & Updates
Official Headliners & Big Names
The ACL 2025 lineup boasts a star-studded roster. Some of the confirmed headliners include:
- Sabrina Carpenter (pop / crossover act)
- Hozier (alternative / soulful rock)
- Luke Combs (country) — marking a genre expansion for ACL
- The Strokes (rock / indie legends)
- Doechii brings a dynamic presence to the festival lineup
Originally, Doja Cat was announced as a headliner, but she has officially dropped out due to conflicts with her album rollout.
In her place, The Killers have been added as the Sunday headliner for both weekends.
Other notable acts in the roster include John Summit, Maren Morris, Wet Leg, Modest Mouse, Rilo Kiley (as part of their reunion), Empire of the Sun, and Djo.
Rumors, Drops & Changes
As is typical with large festivals, lineup changes and rumors swirled leading up to ACL 2025. A popular Reddit thread flagged additions like Case Oats, Chance Emerson, Mallrat, Judy Blank, Supertaste, Hey, Nothing, while marking the drop of Doja Cat and other names.
Always keep in mind: until official confirmation, lineups remain subject to change. Festival sites and official social handles are best sources for updates.
ACL 2025 Schedule & Dates
ACL 2025 spans two weekends:
- October 3–5, 2025
- October 10–12, 2025
Each weekend features similar schedules but with slight adjustments in which artists appear when and where.
For example, Saturday (Day 2) in the first weekend includes big names like Sabrina Carpenter, The Strokes, Doechii, etc.
ACL’s official site publishes a full daily breakdown closer to festival dates.
Headliners in Focus
Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina takes on a major role as one of the festival’s top draws. Her performances have drawn attention not only to her showmanship but now to her evolving musical identity. In 2025 she leaned into a country-pop aesthetic, notably bringing on surprise guest Shania Twain during a joint rendition of “That Don’t Impress Me Much.”
She’s also opened a pop-up merchandise shop in downtown Austin (at 920 Congress Ave) during the festival weekends, offering exclusive items beyond what’s available inside the grounds.
Luke Combs
Marking a shift in festival dynamics, Luke Combs becomes one of the first major country headliners at ACL. His set blended emotional storytelling and traditional honky-tonk with festival flair.
Combs’s set also included covers like Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car,” honoring musical diversity and crowd expectations.
Doechii & Others
Doechii’s Saturday set was a highlight, merging strong stage presence and lyrical command— even taking on a wardrobe rip mid-performance and still maintaining energy.
Elsewhere, Hilary Duff made a surprise appearance on stage during Role Model’s set as Duff joined him for “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out.” That moment became one of the festival’s biggest viral moments.
Other breakout or local acts, like INOHA from San Antonio, also brought vibrant energy at smaller stages.
Tickets, Passes & Festival Logistics
Ticket Types & Prices
Tickets for ACL 2025 went on sale May 6, 2025.
3-Day General Admission: Starting around $360
- VIP & Platinum: $1,670 & $5,670 respectively
- Y’all Access / Luxury Bungalows: Ultra-premium options from ~$27,000+
- Children 8 & under attend free with a ticketed adult (limit 2 kids per adult)
- Tickets are available via ACL’s official site.
- Venue & Staging
The festival sits at Zilker Park, a sprawling green space in Austin.
Over 9 stages host simultaneous performances — main stages, sponsor stages, intimate tents, and specialized areas.
Pro tips: Arrive early to position yourself, use the festival map, and plan which sets you can catch without overlap.
Festival Experience & Highlights
🌮 Food, Drink & Local Eats
One of ACL’s standout features is its curated food lineup. In 2025, the festival highlights local Austin vendors and national favorites alike:
- New entrants like Oko (Filipino cuisine), Brotherton’s BBQ, and JABS Burgers & Fries
- Returning crowd favorites like Salt & Time and Koko’s Bavarian
- Dessert zone “ACL Sweets” includes Amy’s Ice Creams, Tiff’s Treats, and newcomers like Gati Ice Cream
- VIP zones offer exclusive menus and service
🎨 Art, Installations & Culture
Beyond music, ACL invests in visual arts, immersive installations, local artisans, and themed market areas. These spaces add depth to the festival journey.
🌍 Sustainability & Policy
ACL maintains eco-conscious goals — from recycling initiatives to water refill stations. While not all public details are available, past editions show consistently increased green efforts.
Festival policies typically include security checks, bag restrictions, accessibility accommodations, and crowd safety procedures (all usually detailed in FAQ guides).
Travel & Accommodation Guide
Lodging Options
Staying near Zilker Park is ideal—but also expensive and scarce. Here are alternatives:
- Local hotels in South Austin, downtown, or Barton Springs area
- Airbnb / vacation rentals in neighborhoods like South Lamar, South Congress
- Camping or glamping sites (if available via ACL affiliates)
Book early, because festival weekends tend to fill fast.
Getting There & Around
- Shuttle services / festival buses: Often arranged by the festival or local transit
- Ride-shares: Useful, but plan for drop-off distance and surge times
- Parking: Festival lots usually sell out — check official maps and arrival windows
Biking / walking: For locals or nearby stays this may be efficient
ACL 2025 Aftershows & Side Events
Many artists participate in aftershows, intimate sets or club performances separate from main stages. Keep tabs on local venues in Austin, such as ACL Live, 3TEN Austin, and others.
Some artists or groups host pop-up events or merch shop tie-ins—like Sabrina Carpenter’s downtown pop-up location open during festival weekends.
Local bars and smaller stages frequently host ACL-themed nights, giving fans chances to see surprise sets or rising talent beyond the official lineup.
Social Buzz, Predictions & Fan Reactions
Leading into ACL 2025, fans speculated wildly about headliners—particularly about Taylor Swift making a surprise appearance during Sabrina Carpenter’s set. While that didn’t materialize, rumors added excitement to social feeds, including threads where fans debate everything from hidden acts to how festival tech is evolving (and where to write for us tech if you’re passionate about covering those shifts).
Reddit threads also fueled speculation about lineup changes and hidden acts.
And during the festival, viral moments (like Hilary Duff’s stage cameo) lit up social platforms and broadened ACL’s cultural reach.
How to Prepare for ACL 2025
Packing Checklist
- Comfortable shoes and weather-ready outfits
- Sun protection: hats, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Reusable water bottle (festival refill stations)
- Portable charger / power bank
- Light rain gear (weather can shift)
- Earplugs (for loud stages)
- ID, tickets, and festival pass (digital + backup)
Small bag adhering to festival size restrictions
Weather in Austin, October
October in Austin tends to be warm during day and cool in the evening. Daytime highs often reach the 80s (Fahrenheit). Be prepared for sun and possible temperature swings.
Check forecast closer to festival days and adjust wardrobe accordingly.
Building Your Schedule
- Prioritize no-miss headliners first
- Identify “must-see” secondary acts
- Allow buffer time to move between stages
- Plan rest / food breaks to avoid burnout
- Don’t neglect local or surprise acts—you might discover something new
Final Thoughts — Why ACL 2025 Will Be Unforgettable
ACL 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most dynamic editions in recent memory. It blends genre diversity—pop, indie, country, rock—with big names and fresh talent. The replacement of Doja Cat with The Killers is a testament to how festivals adapt.
It’s also a moment where artists like Sabrina Carpenter expand their artistic identities, and country’s presence (via Luke Combs) gains prominence in a traditionally indie/pop festival setting.
With local flavor baked in via food, art, local acts, and immersive installations, ACL remains more than just a concert—it’s a festival ecosystem. As fans, staying flexible, well-prepared, and curious will help you get the most out of it.
FAQs
1. When is the Austin City Limits 2025 lineup released?
The official ACL 2025 lineup was announced in early May 2025. However, last-minute artist changes and new additions can still happen before October.
2. How much are ACL 2025 tickets?
General Admission passes start around $360, VIP around $1,670, and Platinum passes can exceed $5,000, depending on availability and weekend selection.
3. Where does Austin City Limits take place?
The festival happens at Zilker Park, located near downtown Austin, Texas — a scenic and spacious area that transforms into a massive live-music venue for two weekends every October.
4. Can kids attend ACL 2025?
Yes! Kids aged 8 and under can attend for free with an adult holding a valid ticket (limit of two kids per adult). There are also family-friendly areas with kid-focused activities and shaded zones.
5. What should I bring to ACL 2025?
Bring essentials like sunscreen, reusable bottles, a small clear bag, portable charger, and a printed or digital festival pass. Avoid large bags, glass items, and outside food or alcohol, as they’re restricted at the gates.
