Written by: Kai Eldridge, Music Discovery Editor, OnesToWatch
Key Takeaways
- ACL 2026 celebrates its 25th anniversary at Zilker Park across two weekends: October 2-4 and October 9-11.
- Headliners include Charli XCX, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Twenty One Pilots, Lorde, and The xx, with Skrillex (Weekend One) and Kings of Leon (Weekend Two) as weekend exclusives.
- The day-by-day schedule helps fans choose which days to attend and avoid conflicts between sets across nine stages.
- Emerging artists to watch include Lola Young, Paris Paloma, STELLA LEFTY, Claire Rosinkranz, Sienna Spiro, and more rising talent.
- Discover more rising stars with OnesToWatch‘s Top 30 Artists to Watch in 2026 before they dominate festival lineups.
ACL 2026 Headliners
The Austin City Limits Music Festival 2026 headliners include Charli XCX, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Twenty One Pilots, Lorde, The xx, Skrillex, and Kings of Leon. This powerhouse lineup reflects a shift toward pop megastars and millennial nostalgia acts, creating a high-energy experience for festival-goers.
Charli XCX continues her meteoric rise following her critically acclaimed work, bringing her hyperpop energy to Austin. This pop-forward approach extends into the electronic realm with RÜFÜS DU SOL and their signature atmospheric soundscapes. Twenty One Pilots balances the bill with genre-blending anthems that connect rock, alternative, and pop fans.
Lorde adds her ethereal pop mastery, while The xx contributes intimate, minimalist electronic textures that deepen the lineup’s emotional range. Together, these artists create a cohesive yet varied top tier of performers. Skrillex and Kings of Leon appear as weekend-exclusive headliners, giving fans distinct reasons to choose a specific weekend.
ACL 2026 Full Lineup by Day
ACL Festival released its day-by-day schedule for the 2026 25th anniversary edition, allowing fans to plan which days to attend based on their favorite artists and avoid conflicts between must-see performances.
Weekend One (October 2-4)
Friday, October 2: Charli XCX, Skrillex, and Turnstile perform on Friday. They are supported by notable acts including Labrinth, The Chainsmokers, Leon Thomas, Brandon Thomas, Amyl and the Sniffers, Steve Aoki, and Rebecca Black, setting an intense opening tone for the weekend.
Saturday, October 3: RÜFÜS DU SOL, Lorde, Lola Young, and Young Miko lead Saturday’s lineup. Bleachers, Lykke Li, Suki Waterhouse, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Ryan Beatty, and Snow Strippers round out the day with a mix of indie, pop, and global sounds.
Sunday, October 4: Twenty One Pilots, The xx, Geese, and SOFI TUKKER perform on Sunday. They are joined by Parcels, The War on Drugs, Blood Orange, Saint Motel, and Calder Allen, closing Weekend One with a blend of rock, electronic, and indie. Houndmouth appears on Sunday, October 11, during Weekend Two.
Weekend Two (October 9-11)
Weekend Two mirrors the main headliners while adding exclusive performers Kings of Leon, Bella Kay, Houndmouth, and Natasha Bedingfield. These additions give the second weekend its own character and reward fans who choose to attend both weekends.
Emerging Artists to Watch at ACL 2026
The 2026 lineup highlights exceptional emerging talent that signals where music is heading next. 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 are all identified as ones-to-watch up-and-coming talent.
Lola Young stands out as a breakout star, with her hit “Messy” earning her a prominent Saturday lineup placement. Her raw vocal power and direct, emotionally honest songwriting have captured industry and fan attention.
Paris Paloma brings dark pop sensibilities and storytelling prowess, building on viral success with deeply personal narratives. This focus on honest storytelling continues with STELLA LEFTY, who represents a new wave of genre-blending artists unafraid to cross traditional boundaries. Claire Rosinkranz offers a more melody-driven approach, continuing her ascent with bright, infectious pop hooks.
Young Miko leads the expanded Latin-artist presence featuring up-and-coming acts, underscoring the global reach of contemporary music. These rising artists embody the kind of authentic, early-stage talent that defines ACL’s reputation for discovery.
Tickets, Dates & Festival Logistics
ACL Festival 2026 tickets went on sale May 5, 2026 at 12 p.m. CT through the official website at www.aclfestival.com/tickets. Weekend-one general admission tickets sold out quickly, reflecting strong demand for this anniversary edition.
The festival takes place at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas, a central location that is easy to reach from across the city. Fans can use shuttles, rideshare services, bikes, or walking routes, depending on where they stay. October weather in Austin usually brings comfortable daytime highs in the 70s and 80s with cooler evenings, which creates ideal conditions for long days of outdoor music.
Why ACL 2026 Is Unmissable
This year’s lineup shows how ACL balances established headliners with breakthrough talent across its 25th anniversary edition. Fans can see arena-level acts like Charli XCX and Twenty One Pilots on the same bill as rising voices such as Lola Young, Paris Paloma, and Young Miko. The result is a festival that celebrates music at every stage of an artist’s career.
Across nine stages, ACL 2026 offers pop, rock, electronic, Latin, and indie acts that appeal to a wide range of listeners. The mix of weekend-exclusive sets and repeat performances across both weekends gives fans flexibility while still rewarding those who attend multiple days. This thoughtful curation makes ACL 2026 a standout destination on the festival calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the headliners for ACL 2026?
The main headliners are Charli XCX, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Twenty One Pilots, Lorde, and The xx, with Skrillex exclusive to Weekend One and Kings of Leon exclusive to Weekend Two.
When does ACL 2026 take place?
ACL 2026 runs over two weekends: October 2-4 (Weekend One) and October 9-11 (Weekend Two) at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas.
Which emerging artists should I watch at ACL 2026?
Key emerging artists include Lola Young, Paris Paloma, STELLA LEFTY, Claire Rosinkranz, Young Miko, Sienna Spiro, and Audrey Hobert, representing the next generation of breakthrough talent.
How can I purchase ACL 2026 tickets?
Tickets are available through the official website at aclfestival.com/tickets, though weekend-one general admission has already sold out due to high demand.
What makes ACL 2026 special?
This year marks the festival’s 25th anniversary, with a carefully curated lineup that balances established headliners and exceptional emerging talent across nine stages at the iconic Zilker Park venue.
Conclusion
ACL 2026 promises an unforgettable 25th anniversary celebration that combines legendary headliners with tomorrow’s stars. Start discovering tomorrow’s headliners today with OnesToWatch and build a festival schedule that highlights the artists who will define music’s future.