Austin City Limits 2027

Austin City Limits 2026

The Austin City Limits Festival is one of the city’s most important events attracting half a million visitors, many of them from the LGBT community. It is an annual Music, Arts and Food Festival from the Live Music Capital of the World.

• Austin City Limits is one of the most popular festivals in the city, so book early. We recommend you stay in the downtown district. Guests love the Fairmont Austin giving the hotel a “Superb” rating with a stunning rooftop pool and features spacious rooms and a central location.

The Event

• Next Edition: Awaiting dates – Typically from Friday to Sunday on the first and second weekend in October.
• Austin City Limits takes place at Zilker Park over two weekends.
• The Festival always has a stacked lineup, so make sure you plan ahead to see your favorite bands.
• Over the past several years, the festival has showcased more and more established and upcoming gay artists.
• Take the entire lineup and plan your day around which are your “must-see” shows so you can make sure to navigate to those stages well in advance of the show starting.
• Don’t forget to bring a blanket or collapsible chair to sit on (there are plenty of places away from the stage where you can take break but still hear the music).
• There are 8 primary stages at ACL, which host the 125 bands during the event.
• Full program and lineup to be confirmed.

Side Events

• Side events include, Austin Eats with food vendors showcasing local restaurants.
• The Art Market features craft goods from dozen of local artisans while the Austin Art Garage acts as a platform for talented emerging artists.
• Want the opportunity to meet some of your favorite ACL artists at ACL? Waterloo Records hosts autograph signings for various ACL artists every day of the festival for free!
• The Moxy Hotel Austin is great for those looking for a hip place to stay complete with a vibrant cocktail bar and 24-hour taco counter.

Getting to the festival

• The festival offers a free shuttle service to and from the festival from the Republic Square located at 4th and Guadalupe.
• The shuttles run from early morning until after the shows end each day of the festival.
• Republic Square park is a short walk from downtown hotels, restaurants and bars. There is also paid parking within a few blocks of Republic Square Park.
• The festival has a designated area for drop-offs and pickups for those who choose to take a ride-share program like Lyft and Uber. You can also take a Yellow Cab (taxi) if you are fortunate enough to hail one in downtown Austin. Driving to ACL festival is not recommended as there is no parking available near Zilker Park.

Where to stay?

Austin has long been known as one of the live music capitals of the world, but what many people may not know is that the city has a thriving LGBTQ culture and arts scene.

• SoCo, the South Congress Street area is home to several gay bars between Johanna and Gibson Streets. It has an eclectic array of shops, restaurants, boutiques, antiques, music venues and art galleries.
• You should also explore The Second Street District and The Rainey Street District.
• If you want to stay close to the best gay venues, check out the South Congress Hotel
• Most of the gay bars are located in Downtown and you can walk from one to the other.

Gay Austin Venues to visit during the festival

Just a stone’s throw from the bustling city center, you’ll discover the lively gay district nestled in the South Congress Avenue neighborhood, affectionately known as “SoCo.”

Now, let’s spill the tea on some of the best gay bars in this fabulous district:

• Rain on 4th: This is the crown jewel of Austin’s gay nightlife, where every night feels like a weekend! With epic drag shows, high-energy dance floors, and top-notch cocktails, Rain on 4th is where the party never stops. If you want to strut your stuff on the dance floor and unleash your inner diva, this is the place to be.
• Oilcan Harry’s: A true Austin institution, Oilcan Harry’s boasts a welcoming atmosphere and a spacious dance floor that beckons you to bust out your best moves. Their themed parties and diverse crowd make it a must-visit spot for anyone looking to mix, mingle, and dance the night away.
• Sellers Underground: This trendy, underground gem offers a chic and relaxed setting for sipping craft cocktails and enjoying a more intimate evening. With its friendly staff and diverse clientele, Sellers Underground is the ideal spot for engaging conversations and good vibes.

Where to Stay for Austin City Limits

Stay in Downtown Austin for nightlife, restaurants and easy access to the festival shuttles, or choose South Congress for a more local Austin feel closer to Zilker Park.

• JW Marriott Austin – Large upscale Downtown hotel with a rooftop pool and excellent access to restaurants and nightlife. A strong all-round choice for combining ACL with a city weekend.
• Hotel ZaZa Austin – Stylish Downtown hotel with bold rooms, a rooftop pool and a livelier atmosphere. Pick this if nightlife is nearly as high on your list as the festival.
• The Otis Hotel Austin – Contemporary Autograph Collection hotel north of Downtown with a rooftop pool and polished rooms. A good choice for a quieter stay with the festival and central Austin a short ride away.
• Austin Motel – Retro South Congress favourite with a pool and one of the most distinctive locations on this list. Choose it for easy access to SoCo restaurants and bars, with Zilker Park relatively close by.

For ACL itself, South Congress puts you closer to Zilker Park. Downtown gives you the better overall base if you plan to combine the concerts with Austin’s restaurants, gay bars and late-night scene.