Key Takeaways
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ACL Fest Weekend One (October 2–4, 2026) packs more than 100 bands across nine stages at Zilker Park, with headliners Charli xcx, Lorde, Skrillex, and RÜFÜS DU SOL creating real scheduling conflicts.
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The BMI Stage serves as the festival’s core discovery platform, with Lauren Sanderson’s Sunday closing set and Izzy Escobar’s Friday appearance standing out for emerging-artist discovery.
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Official ACL Nights aftershows at Scoot Inn, Stubb’s, Emo’s, and Antone’s run on their own ticketing, giving fans club-scale sets from artists like Finn Wolfhard, Parcels, and Suki Waterhouse.
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Non-festival options such as Boo at the Zoo and late-night club shows make it possible to build a full Austin weekend without setting foot in Zilker Park.
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Lock in tickets early for high-demand sets and use OnesToWatch Live’s coverage and links to focus on the most compelling rising artists.
Featured Ticket Links For ACL Weekend One
Use these direct links to secure seats for the key festival sets and ACL Nights shows highlighted in this guide.
Tickets: The Shows We’re Pointing You To
ACL Nights tickets use separate admission from festival wristbands, and each aftershow listed here requires its own ticket.
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Friday, October 2 — Izzy Escobar at Austin City Limits Music Festival (BMI Stage, Zilker Park)
Izzy Escobar is scheduled for the BMI Stage from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 2026, according to BMI’s official ACL Fest 2026 stage listing.
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Friday, October 2 — Finn Wolfhard at Scoot Inn (The Common Side Effects Tour)
Finn Wolfhard plays an ACL Nights show at Scoot Inn on Friday, October 2, 2026, with doors and start time at 6:00 p.m. CT. Support comes from Malcy.
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Saturday, October 3 — Parcels at Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater (Loved Tour 2026)
Showtime is 8:00 p.m. at Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater, 801 Red River, Austin, with support from Velvet Trip.
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Saturday, October 3 — Lorde at Austin City Limits Music Festival (Zilker Park)
Lorde headlines the T-Mobile Stage at 8:15 p.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2026, and returns at the same time during Weekend Two on Saturday, October 10, 2026.
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Sunday, October 4 — Lauren Sanderson at Austin City Limits Music Festival (BMI Stage, Zilker Park)
Lauren Sanderson closes the BMI Stage on Sunday, October 4, 2026, with a 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. set during Weekend One.
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Sunday, October 4 — Suki Waterhouse at Emo’s Austin (The Loveland Tour)
Emo’s Austin hosts Suki Waterhouse on Sunday, October 4, 2026, for an ACL Nights date on The Loveland Tour.
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What To Do In Austin The Weekend Of October 2–4, 2026
This itinerary moves from afternoon sets at Zilker Park into nighttime club shows across Austin. ACL Fest 2026 runs daily from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Zilker Park (2100 Barton Springs Road), with gates typically opening at noon on Friday and 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Friday, October 2
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Izzy Escobar — BMI Stage, Zilker Park (3:30–4:15 p.m.) Izzy Escobar arrives with clear crossover momentum. She released “Evergreen Avenue” for The Devil Wears Prada 2 and “Hate to Be the One,” written by GRAMMY-winning songwriter Diane Warren for Season 5 of Hacks. She also partnered with Extra Gum on “Hotshot,” an official FIFA World Cup campaign song. BMI notes that its ACL stage has helped launch artists including Luke Combs (2017) and Khruangbin (2016), and Escobar’s placement follows that pattern.
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Grocery Bag — BMI Stage, Zilker Park (5:15–6:15 p.m.) Austin psych-garage band Grocery Bag released the EP DEADVOLT in 2026 and earned a personal selection to perform with Billy Idol in September 2026. They close Friday’s BMI Stage as a local act on home ground.
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Skrillex / Charli xcx — Main Stages, Zilker Park (from 8:15 p.m.) Skrillex headlines the T-Mobile Stage at 8:15 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 2026, during Weekend One, while Charli xcx headlines the American Express Stage at 8:40 p.m. Skrillex appears only on Weekend One, and Charli xcx plays both weekends. Choosing one headliner means skipping the other.
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Finn Wolfhard — Scoot Inn, 1308 E 4th St (Doors 6:00 p.m.) The Common Side Effects Tour stop at Scoot Inn features support from Malcy. A Longhorn Lounge add-on from 5 p.m. offers early access. This official ACL Nights show uses separate tickets and welcomes fans regardless of festival status.
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Bleachers — Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater, 801 Red River (7:00 p.m.) Jack Antonoff’s Bleachers headlines Stubb’s outdoor amphitheater with support from This Is Lorelei as part of the ACL Fest Nights series.
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Boo at the Zoo — Austin Zoo, 10808 Rawhide Trail (5:45–9:00 p.m.) Boo at the Zoo runs from 5:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights in October at Austin Zoo. Families or festival-free visitors can build an evening entirely outside the ACL footprint.
Saturday, October 3
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Suki Waterhouse — T-Mobile Stage, Zilker Park (4:15 p.m.) Suki Waterhouse plays the T-Mobile Stage at 4:15 p.m. during Weekend One, then follows with a Sunday club set at Emo’s for a more intimate performance.
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Lorde — T-Mobile Stage / RÜFÜS DU SOL — American Express Stage (from 8:15 p.m.) Lorde headlines the T-Mobile Stage at 8:15 p.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2026, and repeats the slot on October 10. RÜFÜS DU SOL headlines the American Express Stage at 8:30 p.m. on both Saturdays as well. Fans need to decide early which headliner to prioritize.
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Parcels — Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater, 801 Red River (8:00 p.m.) The Australian five-piece brings the Loved Tour 2026 to Stubb’s outdoor amphitheater. Nightout describes Parcels as a disco-funk and yacht-rock-inspired act whose live show recalls Daft Punk and Steely Dan. Support comes from Velvet Trip, and this official ACL Fest Nights show sells its own tickets.
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Almost Heaven — Stubb’s Indoors (11:00 p.m.) Almost Heaven plays Stubb’s Indoors at 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2026 as a late-night ACL Nights option for those extending the evening after the park closes.
Sunday, October 4
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Lauren Sanderson — BMI Stage, Zilker Park (5:30–6:30 p.m.) Lauren Sanderson closes the BMI Stage on Sunday, October 4, 2026, with a 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. set in a prime early-evening slot. She released the album LAUREN in May 2026 and collaborated with Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst on “COME SAY SUM,” with a surprise Download Festival appearance leading to an opening run on Limp Bizkit’s fall 2026 tour. Her set functions as a focused discovery moment within the weekend. For a broader view of rising acts, see OnesToWatch’s 2026 Top 30 Artists To Watch.
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Parcels — Miller Lite Stage, Zilker Park (7:30 p.m.) Parcels also play the Miller Lite Stage at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, giving fans a second chance after the Stubb’s show.
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The xx / Twenty One Pilots — Main Stages, Zilker Park (from 8:30 p.m.) Twenty One Pilots headlines the American Express Stage at 8:30 p.m., while The xx headlines the T-Mobile Stage at the same time. This clash closes the weekend with another deliberate choice between two large-scale productions.
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Suki Waterhouse — Emo’s Austin (The Loveland Tour) Suki Waterhouse’s Sunday night show at Emo’s Austin on The Loveland Tour appears on the ACL Nights calendar and sells its own tickets.
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Rochelle Jordan w/ Stefon Osae — Antone’s Nightclub (10:00 p.m.) Rochelle Jordan with Stefon Osae closes the weekend at Antone’s Nightclub at 10:00 p.m. as a final ACL Fest Nights option.
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Additional Shows Worth Considering Around ACL Weekend
Travelers arriving early or staying beyond Sunday can extend the trip with these nearby dates.
On Thursday, October 1, Brandon Flowers plays an official ACL Nights show at Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater at 7:00 p.m. with Jess Williamson, giving Weekend One a high-profile opener from The Killers frontman.
The Chainsmokers also appear on Thursday night, adding another large-scale pre-festival option. BUNT. plays an official 2026 ACL Nights show at Emo’s Austin on Friday, October 2, 2026, with doors at 9:00 p.m. and music at 10:00 p.m.
Villanelle plays ACL Live at 3TEN on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. as part of the Official 2026 ACL Fest Nights lineup. Damien Jurado’s 7:30 p.m. Friday set at 29th Street Ballroom offers a quieter folk alternative. Loathe plays Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater on Sunday, October 4 at 6:00 p.m. with Fleshwater and Prostitute, serving heavy music fans.
Rebecca Black delivers a DJ set at Devil May Care on Friday, October 2, 2026, within the ACL Fest Nights series (doors 10 p.m., 21+), separate from her Zilker Park appearance that day. Food and culture travelers can look ahead to the Hot Luck Festival, returning October 16–17, 2026, and the Formula 1 US Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on October 23–25, 2026 for extended Austin itineraries.
Patterns Across ACL Fest Weekend One
The October 2–4 weekend shows how ACL Nights creates a second layer of programming that mirrors the main festival. Artists such as Finn Wolfhard and Suki Waterhouse appear both inside Zilker Park and in club settings, giving audiences contrasting views of the same material. The BMI Stage continues to highlight emerging talent, with Lauren Sanderson’s Sunday closer positioned as a clear editorial spotlight. Weekend One exclusives including Skrillex, Lorde, and Brandon Flowers add urgency for this specific weekend, while a strong slate of non-festival events makes Austin feel busy even for visitors without passes.
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Practical Reader Guidance For ACL Fest 2026
ACL Fest 2026 operates as a fully cashless event, with most payments running through wristbands linked to credit or debit cards via ACL Cashless. Physical cards and mobile wallets such as Apple Pay are accepted at many vendors, although transactions can move more slowly. Bags larger than 6″ × 9″ must be clear and smaller than 12″ × 6″ × 12″. Small clutch purses and fanny packs up to 6″ × 9″ can remain opaque but must have a single pocket. Umbrellas fall under prohibited items, so a compact poncho works better.
Zilker Park offers no official parking during the festival, and surrounding streets restrict parking heavily. During ACL Festival 2025, Azie Morton Road, Stratford Drive, and Barton Springs Road closed around Zilker Park. Azie Morton Road closed from 11 a.m. to midnight on show days, while Stratford Drive and Barton Springs Road remained closed throughout each festival weekend. Nearby residential streets enforce permit-only parking with active ticketing and towing.
Uber serves as the official rideshare partner of ACL Fest, while Lyft operates without that designation. For ACL Festival 2025, rideshare pick-up and drop-off zones included Wallingwood Drive, Lee Barton Drive, and Stephen F. Austin Drive near the Austin High Tennis Center. KUTX’s 2024 ACL Festival guide notes that drop-off points at the MoPac Pedestrian Bridge at Veterans Drive, Lee Barton Drive, and Wallingwood Drive require a walk of roughly 5–20 minutes to the gates, depending on the entrance used.
Rideshare surges after Saturday headliners often reach two to three times standard pricing with waits of 20–30 minutes, and spikes can climb higher during peak demand. CapMetro’s MetroRapid Route 803 stops near South Lamar Boulevard and Barton Springs Road, about a half-mile from Zilker Park and within walking distance of festival entrances. Arriving before gates open helps drivers secure space in nearby paid garages, which tend to fill within the first two hours.
ACL Fest Nights tickets sell separately from festival passes, and aftershows welcome both wristband holders and non-attendees. The official Festiverse app provides current set times, maps, and schedule changes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When Does Austin City Limits Music Festival Weekend One 2026 Take Place, And Where?
ACL Fest Weekend One runs Friday, October 2 through Sunday, October 4, 2026, at Zilker Metropolitan Park, 2100 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX (listed by the City of Austin as ZIP 78746). Festival hours are 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily, with gates opening at noon on Friday and 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Weekend Two follows October 9–11, 2026, at the same location.
Who Are The Headliners For ACL Fest 2026 Weekend One?
Live Nation’s May 5, 2026 announcement lists Charli xcx, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Twenty One Pilots, Lorde, Skrillex (Weekend One only), and The xx as ACL Fest 2026 Weekend One headliners. Skrillex, Lorde, and Brandon Flowers appear exclusively during Weekend One, while Kings of Leon headlines Weekend Two.
What Are ACL Nights, And Do I Need A Festival Wristband To Attend?
ACL Nights refers to the official aftershow series at Austin venues including Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater, Scoot Inn, Emo’s Austin, and Antone’s Nightclub during both festival weekends. Each show uses its own ticketing, and admission does not depend on holding an ACL festival wristband. ACL Nights tickets go on sale separately from festival passes. This guide highlights Finn Wolfhard at Scoot Inn on Friday, Parcels at Stubb’s on Saturday, and Suki Waterhouse at Emo’s on Sunday as core options.
What Can I Do In Austin During ACL Weekend If I Don’t Have Festival Tickets?
The ACL Nights aftershow circuit operates independently of the main festival and spans multiple venues across the city. Beyond official ACL Nights programming, the weekend includes Boo at the Zoo at Austin Zoo (October 2–3, 5:45–9:00 p.m.), Pumpkin Nights at Pioneer Farms, which runs from mid-September through late October, comedy clubs, and a full slate of independent concerts at rooms such as Stubb’s, Scoot Inn, Antone’s, and Emo’s. Austin’s restaurant and bar corridors on South Congress, Rainey Street, and 6th Street remain active throughout the festival period.