For two weekends in October, Zilker Park once again became the center of Austin’s music scene as Austin City Limits Music Festival celebrated its 25th Anniversary. 

Thousands of fans made their way through the park, navigating packed crowds, long walks between stages, and during the first weekend, enough mud to make things interesting. But that’s all part of the ACL experience, and this year gave festivalgoers plenty of reasons to stick around until the final encore.

Celebrating 25 Years of ACL Fest

Reaching the quarter-century mark is quite an accomplishment for a music festival, especially one that has grown and changed as much as ACL. What started in 2002 as a two-day event has become a six-day celebration featuring some of the biggest names in music. This year’s lineup reflected that evolution, bringing together established rock bands, pop superstars, electronic artists, and a new generation of performers who may very well be headlining the festival themselves someday.

The 2026 headliners represented just how much ACL Fest has evolved over the years. Charli XCX brought her dance-pop sound to Zilker Park, while Lorde offered a different kind of pop experience, balancing emotional songwriting with the kind of songs that have earned her a devoted following.

Electronic music was also well represented. RÜFÜS DU SOL delivered their atmospheric blend of electronic music and live instrumentation, while Skrillex brought a heavier electronic sound to the first weekend. The latter was one of the festival’s exclusive performances, giving Weekend One attendees something that wouldn’t be repeated the following Friday.

Twenty One Pilots brought their genre-blending mix of alternative rock, hip-hop and electronic influences to the festival. Known for putting on shows that go well beyond simply playing songs, the duo was a fitting choice to help close out both weekends.

Unforgettable Moments on the ACL Stage

One of the best parts of ACL Fest is how a live performance can change the way you experience an artist’s music. Sometimes you discover an artist for the first time, while other times you hear a familiar song in a whole new way. That’s how I felt watching Labrinth, whose set made me appreciate songs I already loved even more, while also introducing me to a new favorite that I’ve been listening to ever since.

Twenty One Pilots had a similar effect. I was impressed by how much the duo could do onstage, putting on such an entertaining, interactive show for a massive crowd. From engaging with fans to being lifted up on platforms in the middle of the audience, they made the performance feel like more than just a concert. Their cover of “Stolen Dance” has been on repeat for me ever since. Even though I’d heard the song before, their version gave it a new life, much like their take on “Seven Nation Army.”

For those who prefer their music with guitars, Kings of Leon provided one of the festival’s more traditional rock headlining performances during Weekend Two. The Tennessee band has built an impressive catalog over the years, and their appearance gave longtime rock fans another reason to make the trip to Zilker Park.

Rounding out the headliners were The XX, whose understated combination of indie rock and electronic music provided a contrast to some of the louder, more elaborate productions across the park. Together, the seven headlining acts demonstrated just how many different musical tastes ACL Fest now brings together. 

Some of the most memorable moments came from the artists themselves. During Weekend Two, Lorde became emotional while performing “Liability,” creating a more vulnerable moment before getting the crowd jumping to “Ribs.” She also spoke about her upcoming transition to independence as an artist, which added another layer of emotion to the performance. Charli XCX brought her own energy to the festival, with Troye Sivan joining her onstage during Weekend One and Tinashe making an appearance during Weekend Two.

One perk that deserves a shoutout is T-Mobile’s Club Magenta, which is easy to overlook until you actually experience it. The shaded lounge offers a comfortable place to recharge and take a break from the Texas sun while still enjoying the music. Side-stage access to the T-Mobile Stage makes it an especially great way to get closer to the performances. It’s a thoughtful addition for festivalgoers looking to enjoy the experience without spending the entire day in the crowds.

Punk Rock, Loud Guitars and a Little Nostalgia

While the headliners received most of the attention, a few performances were particularly appealing to those of us who still appreciate a loud guitar and a little chaos.

One of the bands I was especially glad to see was Turnstile. The Baltimore group has helped introduce hardcore punk to a much larger audience without losing the intensity that made them popular in the first place. Their music is loud, fast and occasionally unpredictable, exactly the sort of thing that makes for a great festival performance. In a lineup dominated by pop and electronic music, Turnstile was a welcome change of pace.

Australian punk rockers Amyl and the Sniffers were another band high on my list. Frontwoman Amy Taylor has become one of the more entertaining personalities in modern punk rock, and the band’s raw, unapologetic approach to music is refreshing. They aren’t particularly interested in being polished or playing it safe, and that’s a big part of their appeal.

There was also something enjoyable about revisiting the music of Live. For those of us who grew up listening to alternative rock in the 1990s, the band’s catalog brings back plenty of memories. Songs like “Lightning Crashes” and “I Alone” remain reminders of an era when alternative rock dominated radio. Sometimes it’s nice to hear music that takes you back a few decades.

Beyond the Headliners: Discovering New Music

Of course, part of the appeal of ACL Fest has always been what happens before the sun goes down.

Artists such as Audrey Hobert, Bleachers, The War on Drugs, Parcels and Blood Orange helped give this year’s festival some variety beyond the main-stage attractions. With so many performances taking place simultaneously, there were inevitably difficult decisions about which direction to head next.

And that’s one of the things I’ve always enjoyed about ACL. You can arrive with a carefully planned schedule, only to hear something interesting coming from another stage and decide to stick around. Sometimes those unexpected performances end up being the ones you remember most.

This year’s festival also served as another reminder of how much Austin’s music scene contributes to the event. Local and Texas-connected performers continued to have a place alongside internationally recognized artists, keeping some of the festival’s original identity intact even as the lineup has expanded. 

ACL Fest 2026: A Look Back in Photos 

After six days of music spread across two weekends, ACL Fest 2026 is officially in the books. There were memorable performances, packed crowds, plenty of walking and probably more than a few pairs of shoes that will never completely recover from the mud.

Twenty-five years into its run, the festival continues to change with the music industry while giving fans an opportunity to see established favorites and discover someone new. Not every artist will appeal to every person, but with a lineup this diverse, that’s probably the point.

For those who made it out to Zilker Park, hopefully you left with some great memories and a few new bands added to your playlists. And for those who missed this year’s festival and are now experiencing a little FOMO, we’ve got you covered.

Rather than just tell you what you missed, here’s a photographic look back at ACL Fest 2026, from the biggest names on the lineup to some of our favorite moments across both weekends.

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Cover Photo Andrea Escobar

Brian Maass is a native Austinite, writer and photographer covering live music, travel, and culture, with a passion for storytelling through the lens of his camera. He lives in Round Rock with his wife, Dr. Dana Kent Maass, and their rescue dog, Chester. Instagram @brian_maass_adventures.

Leean Vargas is the The Lone Star Low Down newsletter editor at Texas Lifestyle Magazine and an honors graduate of Texas State University with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. She is a concert enthusiast who loves traveling, photography, good food, and discovering new hangout spots in her beloved city, Austin, Texas.