More music, less hassle: Keeping it simple at ACL
Two weekends. Eight stages. More than 125 performances. Austin City Limits Music Festival is happening October 5-7 and October 12-14 at Zilker Park, and this year’s lineup offers something for everybody.
This year’s headliners are Paul McCartney, Metallica, and Travis Scott. Other notable acts include The National, St. Vincent, David Byrne, Deftones, Janelle Monae, Khalid, CHVRCHES, Justice, Father John Misty, Brockhampton, Greta Van Fleet, Lily Allen, Blood Orange, The Breeders, Sharon Van Etten, Rhye, Noname, Smino, and Sylvan Esso. And then there’s Brandi Carlile, Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello, Hozier … heck, the whole lineup looks pretty good! Deciding which acts to check out (and actually managing to cross the park multiple times to do so!) will take some maneuvering, so you’ll want to focus on ways to simplify the rest of your ACL experience.
- Don’t drive. The parking situation is grim; skip the hassle and grab a ride share, bus, or cab. Better yet, consider biking or walking to the park. Transportation options abound.
- Leave the cash and credit cards at home. Simply register for ACL Cashless when you activate your wristband. Then scan your wristband around the park to pay for food and merchandise.
- Take only bare essentials that can fit in your pocket, and go through the (much shorter) “No Bag” line at the entrance. Or if you DO need to carry a bag, do your fellow festival-goers a favor by reviewing the list of Allowed & Prohibited Items list before you go. Highlights include e-cigs/vaping devices, aerosol and glass containers, Frisbees, coolers, umbrellas, drones … on second thought, there’s a lot of stuff you don’t want to try to bring in. Better review that list.
- Bringing a youngster with you? Stop by the Tag-a-Kid kiosk at the special family entrance to the park or one of the info tents. There, you can register your kids with the festival and receive an RFID wristband so if you get separated, it’s easy to get reunited.
- Store your stuff and keep your phone charged at the same time! One- and three-day lockers with phone chargers are available for rent during the festival. They’re near the Barton Springs entrance to the park. Click here to reserve your locker in advance and secure the best available pricing.
- Be safe and have fun!
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