After it was called off in 2020, the Austin City Limits Music Festival is set to begin on Friday, October 1, and the city is urging everyone who plans to attend to plan ahead, especially when it comes to parking and transportation.
There is no parking located at Zilker Park, nor in the surrounding neighborhoods.
According to the city, alternatives to driving include:
Shuttles: ACL Fest will run free shuttles between Republic Square and Zilker Park. Shuttles will run to the festival from downtown Austin starting at noon on Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday both weekends. Face masks are required on the shuttles and health documentation will be checked prior to boarding.
Capital Metro buses: To find the best route to the festival using public transportation, use Capital Metro’s trip planner here. Routes that stop close to the park include MetroBus 3, 4 and 10 and MetroRapid route 803. Capital Metro is offering free fares for all customers throughout October.
Scooters and bicycles: ACL Fest will provide one bicycle parking station and two bike or scooter parking locations. You can rent a bicycle from any MetroBike stations located throughout downtown Austin and ride to the festival, where you can drop off your bikes at the station located on Barton Springs Road, William Barton Drive or Veterans Drive.
Ride-share and taxis: Typing “Austin City Limits Music Festival” or “Zilker Park” into your ride-share app will direct your driver to the nearest drop-off point around the festival. When you are leaving, you will have to exit the festival area and cross either the Colorado River, South Lamar Boulevard or the MoPac frontage road before requesting a ride. The taxi pick up and drop off point is at William Barton Drive in front of the Barton Springs Pool.
This year, according to the festival’s health protocols, attendees must preset either a negative COVID-19 test obtained within 72 hours of entering or proof of full vaccination.
