Last weekend, we hit up the Austin City Limits 2022 festival. Here is what we learned and the things you must bring before hitting up Zilker Park.
Maybe you already have your sights set on this year’s Austin City Limits Festival. Whatever the ACL reason you landed here, we are sharing all the things to pack, tips to know and yes, even funny memes.
We are sharing what we learned from our first time attending and everything we know about the ACL Music Fest. Buckle up, y’all – this is a lot to download but we are going to make it as informational but bite-size and entertaining as possible.
Austin City Limits Festival
Lets first talk about Austin City Limits Festival. ACL Fest will be back to Zilker Park in Austin, TX for two weekends.
If the festival is anything like this year – the first and second weekend will host the same musicians both weekends, with nearly identical line-ups and schedules.
We decided to do the drive from Dallas to Austin on the second week, the last day of the event. We bought our one-day ACL Fest tickets second-hand at noon, drove straight to the event and then home afterwards.
This year, we decided to do the drive from Dallas to Austin on the second week, last day of the event. We bought our one-day ACL Fest tickets second-hand at noon, drove straight to the event and then home afterwards.
ACL Music Festival Packing List
While we were the last minute, I did plenty of research the week before just in case we did go.
Here are the things that we brought or wish we would have brought to make the best out of the exhausting but super fun event. Use this as your Austin City Limits packing list for the festival.
Empty Water Bottle
Bring a Yeti or some other type of reusable water bottle to fill up at the hydration stations around Zilker Park. It is Texas, y’all so it is HOT.
Stay hydrated, especially if you are consuming alcohol. I was able to bring in a few packets of Liquid IV, no problem. You will have to dump out ANY liquid that you have in your water bottle before going thru security.
Sunscreen
We arrived for the evening shows, but the husband and I are both pale. Sunscreen is a must – especially if you are experiencing the entire 3-day music festival. No aersol sunscreen allowed, just lotion!
Clear Backpack
Fanny bags (think the Lululemon belt bag) size bags and clear bags are allowed into ACL. When we were at The Chicks concert at the Toyota Music Factory the week before, I happened to get a clear backpack and it was absolutely perfect for our Austin City Limits adventure,
- Here is the 2022 ACL Fest bag policy
Blanket or Towel That Rolls Up
I had purchased this roll-up towel for our cruise this past summer, and it worked perfectly the few times we opted to sit to listen to music. Come the second weekend at Zilker Park, the grass is non-existent and there is a TON of dirt.
Bandana or Mask
There were various theories on this year’s ACL black cough that was trending, and the most logical theory aside from ragweed allergies is the mulch and dust kicked up from the crowd. Throw a bandana or mask into your clear backpack – just in case.
Flashlight
I had read a tip to bring a flashlight and I am so glad we did! While, sure your phone can be used as a flashlight – it’s not that powerful. I packed a small LED flashlight and used it multiple times.
Most notably to shine on the ground when walking from one show to another to avoid stepping on anyone. Come Sunday night, there are a lot of passed out people.
Lastly, the flashlight was a gem as we were hiking out of Zilker Park to downtown parking. The route had us thru a dark wooded trail. While we never felt unsafe and were with a group of random people from the show – it was super helpful to be able to actually see where we were going.
Battery Powered String Lights
While I didn’t bring these, I will say battery powered string lights would be super helpful when in a crowd trying to find your friends. It gets DARK out in the Zilker park fields and trying to identify your friend after a bathroom trip or when getting drinks isn’t easy.
Comfortable Clothes, Shoes and a hat.
Next on the Austin City Limits packing list is comfort. While the days of my youth are slowly fading, I remember all too well the hours spent trying to find the perfect outfit for Lollapalooza back in the day. This isn’t an ACL OOTD post, keeping it practical.
For Austin City Limits 2022, opted for a comfortable shoes and outfit with a shirt, skirt and slide on Vans. Fashionista? NOPE, but comfortable with zero blisters is a success. This is what you call adulting, kids. Also, ACL while fashionable isn’t Coachella! Austin folk are laid back.
Power Brick Phone Charger
This is something that is just a requirement anytime we go anywhere now a days but make sure a power brick battery pack phone charger is one your ACL Fest checklist.
While there may have been charging stations in some of the sponsor suites and activations, we did not see any widely accessible to the public.
The Anker MAG-Go will wireless charge your iPhone using the magsafe. Bonus, it’s not bulky and heavy like a typical phone power pack and there is no need for a lightning cable!
Hand Sanitizing Wipes
Next on our Austin City Limits packing list, hand sanitizing wipes. I can’t tell you how dirty you get being in the Zilker Park fields with hundred of thousands of other people. While there is plenty of room to stretch out, nature has a way of making you feel dirty if they thousand of people don’t.
Deodorant Wipes
Somewhere down the random rabbit hole I fell into last week on TikTok was a suggestion to bring deodorant wipes to ACL. I threw them in the clear backpack and I am so glad I did.
While it’s rude to pass deodorant wipes out to all the smelly people around you – at least you can do your part and not have to stink smelling your own body odor. Lume Deodorant wipes are a must-have for your purse/car.
If you have any other ACL Fest packing list must-haves, drop them in the comments and we will get them added!
Random ACL Fest Tips
With this being our first trip to Austin City Limits, I’m super happy with the entire experience. To be honest, most likely because this introvert didn’t have to wait around for my bands to play nor spent 3 days in the hot Texas sun.
That said, I’m older than the average ACL bear so totally get these ACL fest tips not applicable to everyone.
Bringing in Medicine
If you are bringing prescription medicine, make sure to have at least one of the prescription bottles. My husband is on an array of medications and usually keeps his emergency pills in a little pill bottle.
While the ACL staff at security was kind and didn’t confiscate his prescriptions (she was carrying a BOX filled with prescriptions) – she did recommend bringing at least one of the actual prescription pill bottles.
In and Out Privileges
If you are familiar with the downtown Austin, Texas area, you know that Zilker Park is smack in the middle of great restaurants and stores. With your Austin City Limits festival wristband, you have in and out privileges to come and go as you please throughout the weekend.
Read about the in and out, plus wristband policy.
All Ages
I read an article saying something about the old people at ACL, referring to the 30-somethings. This weirdo could careless about being the oldest person at the show but also uh, I’m pretty sure the median age for ACL was around 35 years old.
It was so great to see people of every color, shape, size and age enjoying an amazing line-up of artists. So if you think you are too old for Austin City Limits, think again (and stop worrying about what other people thing!)
Security Lines
While yes, ACL Fest has in and out privileges – do know getting back in through security is a BEAST. We arrived at 5:00 pm and didn’t get through security until 5:40 pm.
That is a long time to be standing in the heat next to crowds of largely intoxicated people. Entertaining, yes – but when you just want to get to the show, it’s something you have to plan for.
Benefits and Perks
When more details of the Austin City Limits festival are announced, we will drop more ACL fest perks here but wanted to make sure you kept on the look out for these.
For instance, for ACL Fest 2022 American Express card holders had early access to buying tickets. In addition to that, there was an AMEX suite for cardholders. And yes, it had air conditioning!
Another perk that we say, T-mobile users were offered side stage access to watch shows at their stage. As we learn more about what perks and benefits, we will post them here.
Food and Drinks
There are numerous food options on the ACL festival grounds at Zilker. Of course, like any event – expect to pay a premium. Alcohol is readily available with bars everywhere. El Arroyo taking shots at the Californication of ATX. (See our Texas memes for more funny!)
Soft drinks are much harder to find. During the Red Hot Chili Peppers set I was craving a Diet Coke. Headed over to the ACL Bodega and while they were out of my drink of choice, did pick up a bag of $4 Doritos. “We’ve been out of Diet Coke for hours.”
Tipping
I have zero problems with tipping when appropriate. Though call me whatever, I felt it’s tacky to ask for a tip when buying concert merch.
Was someone actually helping me, showing merch options and doing a service? NOPE! I was slightly taken aback when I bought my $40 ACL shirt and then the dude turned the screen around prompting for a tip. We are ALL dealing with inflation – but asking for a tip from a cashier for a concert t-shirt just felt tacky and too far of a grab.
Austin City Limits Parking
Let’s be honest, anywhere in downtown ATX, parking can be a nightmare. While we scoped out some of the ACL parking reddit suggestions, we found ourself parking in the Trader Joe’s garage next to the Austin Power Company.
Parking was $18 and there were only 3 other cars in the parking garage level. Access was super easy and felt very safe.
ATX Electric Scooters
To get back and forth to Zilker Park, we used the Bird Scooters. Be careful, and I know a lot of people hate the electric scooters – but they are a LOT of fun when used correctly.
Both Bird and Lime scooters were readily available and charged! There is actually scooter parking right outside of Zilker Park. Representatives from all scooter companies had parking and were recharging the electric scooters so that you could return after the event if you wanted to use it on the way back to parking.
Pedi-Cabs
Another option to get to and from Zilker Park is using a pedi-cab. These are the bicycle taxis that are often lit up with LED lights. We have used these several times in the past, but leaving ACL we thought we would catch one downtown rather use an electric scooter.
Let’s just say that after being quoted $150 and then $200 to go less than a mile, we used the Bird Scooters instead.
ACL Festival 2022 Review
With a career with over 15 years in event marketing, I’ve been to a TON of concerts, festivals, conferences and events. Walking away from Austin City Limits – it was one of the best experiences from a festival go-er.
The ACL team (staff and volunteers) is highly organized, helpful and can be easily seen through-out the festival grounds. 2022 marks the 20th year of the Austin City Limits festival. It’s a well oiled machine, which makes the experience all the better.
We managed to catch Paramore, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Marcus Mumford and Kacey Musgraves all in the final nights of Austin City Limits 2022. While the sound was awful for part of RHCP, no problems elsewhere. Great crowd and amazing music – if you get the chance to attend, do it.
Sign up for updates to learn when the lineup is announced and when tickets will go on sale.
See You at Zilker Park
As more details about Austin City Limits drop, I’ll continue to add the information here. We do know it will be 2-weekends and 3-days both weekends. Mark your calendars for 2 weekend in October to spend partying in ATX Zilker Park.
Have questions or tips to help other ACL Fest attendees? Drop them in the comments!
