Oh, sweet, sweet ACL — how we’ve missed you! With the recent CDC news dropping the mask mandate and Texas already open for business, we are excited to celebrate in-person at one of Austin’s most coveted events, Austin City Limits. Taking place over two weekends in October, when the weather cools from ‘holy hell’ hot to ‘well, yes that is nice’ temperate, this outdoor fest can be found at one of the city’s most breathtaking locations in the heart of Austin, Zilker Park.
The three day event — over two weekends — is packed full of must-see acts, pulled together with tasteful programming.
Headliners for 2021 include George Strait, Billie Eilish, Stevie Nicks, Miley Cyrus, Rüfüs Du Sol, DaBaby, Erykah Badu, Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, Black Pumas and many more. Up-and-coming local acts include a Top Shelf favorite, Audic Empire, alongside Nané, Riders Against the Storm and, did we mention, Black Pumas?! ACL 2021 touts over 20 Texas-grown acts, including St. Vincent (Weekend One), Marc Rebillet, Surfaces, Dayglow, Missio, Charley Crockett, Heartless Bastards (Weekend Two) and Asleep at the Wheel (Weekend One) — just to name a few!
We highly recommend this festival for several reasons. First off, the weather is the best; it’s really the best time of year to be in Austin. The food is outstanding; ACL keeps it local with all of the wonderful Austin-based vendors (tacos, BBQ, BBQ tacos… yes please!!). Children 10 and younger are free — yes, FREE — with access to the festival + ACL Kids, a great place for kid-friendly programming, events, activities and kid-friendly snacks. And, I know it is on everyone’s mind, football — well, it would not be TX without a little football! You can catch all of the playoff games at the onsite sports bar and on ‘Texas-sized’ TVs.
Finally, ACL is a fundraising event for Austin Parks Foundation.
The event has raised over $41 million for the organization over the years and has helped Austin parks and nearby cities with improvement projects, trials and green spaces. For more information about the Austin Parks Foundation and its work in the Austin community, as well as how fans have contributed to Austin parks, please visit www.austinparks.org/acl-music-festival/.
“Music is coming back strong to the Live Music Capital of the World,” said Austin Mayor Steve Adler. “The return of Austin City Limits as an in-person festival celebrates that our efforts as a community to become vaccinated are working. Health and safety remain our top priority, and we will work closely with the organizers and Austin Public Health to ensure ACL Fest is in line with our health standards. We must continue to get everyone vaccinated and keep up our success.”
According to ACL, the safety of fans, artists and staff remains their top priority. ACL Fest organizers are in regular communication with local health and public safety officials, and will follow current recommendations and guidelines at the time of the festival. As the weekends approach, ACL Fest patrons will receive regular updates with important information regarding safety policies and procedures before entering Zilker Park, all of which will be shared on their website, on social media and via the ACL Fest Email List. ACL is excited to partner with the City of Austin and Austin Public Health to encourage vaccination in the months prior to the festival, as well. Learn more about getting a FREE vaccine, without an appointment or registration, here or if you are coming from out of town, visit Vaccines.gov to find a vaccine provider near you.
So, whether you are a local like me or coming from out of town, ACL welcomes you with open arms (and vaccines for those arms) for the three-day event over two full weekends of music! Now all you have to choose is Weekend One or Weekend Two… or both?! For more information or to grab on-sale tickets now, visit www.aclfestival.com
Austin City Limits 2021 announcement video:
Cover photo by roho foto
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