The Austin City Limits Music Festival, that sprawling two-weekend beast in Zilker Park, is gearing up for its 2025 edition with dates locked in for October 3-5 and 10-12. Organizers dropped the full lineup back in May, and now the daily schedules are out, promising a mix of heavy hitters and rising acts across nine stages. It's the kind of event that turns Austin into a throbbing hub of sound and sweat, drawing around 450,000 attendees each year—though parking woes and surging rideshare prices remain the unspoken tax on the fun.
Headliners lead the charge with Sabrina Carpenter making her debut splash on Friday nights, fresh off her tour buzz. Hozier returns for a soulful encore, while Doja Cat and Luke Combs anchor the rap and country corners, respectively. The Strokes, absent for 15 years, promise a gritty alt-rock revival, and John Summit will spin electronic vibes into the late hours. Doechii stands out as the breakout star, her rapid rise landing her a prime slot after headlining Lollapalooza. But it's the undercard that might steal shows—think Cage the Elephant's raw energy or That Mexican OT repping local flavor.
Schedules hit the site last week, with gates opening at 11 a.m. daily and main acts wrapping by 10 p.m. Weekend one kicks off Friday with Carpenter on the main stage, followed by Combs on Saturday and Doja Cat closing Sunday. Weekend two flips it, starting with The Strokes. Indeed, the overlap means fans can cherry-pick favorites across weekends, but tickets—starting at around $300 for general admission—sold out fast, leaving resale markets to the desperate. Food trucks and art markets fill the gaps, yet the heat and crowds test even the hardiest festival-goer.
Moreover, with set times detailed online, planning is key to dodging overlaps. However, the real draw remains that unpredictable magic of live music under Texas skies. As ACL Fest evolves, one wonders if this year's blend of genres will redefine the festival's legacy or just echo the past.