Austin City Limits Music Festival returns to Zilker Park for its 25th anniversary this October, bringing more than 100 acts to Austin for two weekends. The 2026 lineup is an exiting one that features numerous returning acts, such as Charli XCX, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Lorde, The XX, Kings of Leon and Twenty One Pilots. While the biggest names are the most highly anticipated names, a lot of heavy newcomers are taking over the festival stages, along with a more versatile genre that highlights underground genres like punk / hardcore and EDM.
Twenty One Pilots is the best choice for fans looking for a high energy festival set. Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun will bring a catalog and intricate story they’ve built in over a decade. Their placement is especially fitting for ACL, as they have the songs to hype up a huge crowd, and are keen on theatrics and audience participation.
ACL has never been the first festival that comes to mind for punk, but 2026 gives the genre a stronger presence than usual. Turnstile is the obvious centerpiece, appearing high on the bill, as well as acts like Amyl and the Sniffers, Bad Nerves and Hunx and His Punx. For anyone looking to escape the polished / mainstream pop, this year’s lineup includes a chance for you to jump in the mosh pits and crowd surf a little.
Electronic music is arguably one of the strongest threads running through ACL 2026, beginning with headliners RÜFÜS DU SOL and Skrillex and continuing through a deep collection of dance acts throughout the weekend. Skrillex gets the biggest EDM spotlight of Weekend One, making his rare festival appearance as the artist has remained out of the spotlight. RÜFÜS DU SOL, SOFI TUKKER, The Chainsmokers, Steve Aoki, Levity, BUNT., it’s murph, Snow Strippers, Fcukers and others give electronic fans plenty of alternatives before and after the headliners.
If there is one area where ACL continues to feel comparatively thin, it is Latin music. Young Miko is by far the biggest Latin name on the 2026 lineup, bringing her Puerto Rican blend of reggaeton, Latin trap and pop to the lineup. Rodrigo y Gabriela will provide their virtuous acoustic performances, while Madrid’s rusowsky brings a more experimental Spanish-language blend of pop, R&B and electronic music. The Latin contingent remains noticeably small, particularly for a festival taking place in a city with such a deep connection to Latin music and culture.
Austin City Limits Music Festival will be happening on October 2–4 and October 9–11, 2026. Check out the full lineup and get your ACL 2026 tickets here: https://www.aclfestival.com/tickets
I'm a full-time music journalist/photographer from Houston, number one Paramore fan and Husky dog owner. I have a B.S in Radio-Television-Film from UT Austin and a M.A in Mass Communications from the University of Houston, which makes me smart! On top of being an avid concert-goer and movie fanatic, I love bonding with others over the power of local music and media.
