The 2026 ACL Festival is gearing up for its 25th anniversary at Zilker Park, Austin, Texas, from October 2-4 and October 9-11. This year’s lineup is packed with pop icons like Charli XCX and Lorde alongside emerging talent, yet it marks a notable absence: no major country headliner.
Founded in 2002, the Austin City Limits Festival has evolved from a local event into one of the largest music festivals in North America. With approximately 75,000 fans attending each day, it’s become a staple of Austin’s vibrant live music scene. This year, C3 Presents—one of the biggest concert promoters—celebrates the festival’s legacy while introducing fresh faces to the stage.
Notable Headliners:
- Charli XCX
- Lorde
- Rüfüs Du Sol
- Twenty One Pilots
- Skrillex
- Kings of Leon
- The xx
Despite high hopes from fans for Olivia Rodrigo to make an appearance, she’s not on the lineup this year. The absence of a nostalgia play with a classic rock band also stands out. While many are excited about the new faces—like Bleachers and Blood Orange—some festival-goers might feel a tinge of disappointment without their country favorites.
Tickets will go on sale on May 5, 2026, at noon CT. Fans can expect a rush for those coveted three-day passes as excitement builds around this milestone event. The festival has contributed over $4.7 billion to Austin’s economy since 2006, highlighting its significant impact on the local community.
Local Acts:
- Asleep At The Wheel
- Night Traveler
- Almost Heaven
- Huston-Tillotson Jazz Collective
The ACL Festival has always been about more than just music; it’s about community and culture. As Charlie Jones envisioned back in 2002—creating a local version of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival—it continues to bring people together through the power of live music.
This year promises to be special—not just because of the lineup but also due to the celebration of its rich history. As fans mark this quarter-century milestone, they’ll be reminded that every note played at Zilker Park carries with it decades of memories and moments shared under the Texas sky.