Austin City Limits Music Festival 2027: things to do nearby between sets

1 to 10 October 2027 · ExpectedAustin, United States

At Austin City Limits Music Festival the music runs from the afternoon, so mornings and the day after are free. This guide covers the town around the site: boat trips, a real meal, a shower and a day out from Austin.

Tours in Austin Hotels for these dates

Know before you go

Two weekends with the same line-up.

Airport to Zilker Park

Austin-Bergstrom (AUS) is 15 minutes from downtown and 15 minutes from COTA.

Free shuttle from downtown; walking from South Congress.

Public transport directions to Zilker Park

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	East Austin and the airport	Rentals and chains.
Mid-range	South Congress	Shops, music and food trucks.
Splurge	Downtown and Lady Bird Lake	High-rise hotels.

Three hotels we would book

Links search the nights from 30 September to 11 October. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual festival weekend schedule for 1 to 10 October 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Before the gates open

Friday 1 October

Music runs from the afternoon. Mornings are free: get out on the water or into town.

Easy outingBarbecue tour Half day · Food
Brisket at the legends.
FreeZilker Park.

A day off-site

Saturday 2 October

Skip the early acts and take a day trip. Be back for the headliners.

Half-dayKayak on Lady Bird Lake Half day · Family
Paddle under the skyline.
EatTorchy's Tacos Local chain

Campers: shower, food and a break

Day passes for pools and spas, and a real meal in town.

Rain or heat backupLBJ Library.
EatFranklin Barbecue Queue from 8 am

Recovery day

Monday 11 October

Slow outings only.

Easy outingBat watching cruise Evening · Family · Low walking
Congress Avenue Bridge bats (March to October).
EatTerry Black's BBQ without the wait

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Family

Kayak on Lady Bird Lake

Paddle under the skyline.

See times and prices

Evening · Family · Low walking

Bat watching cruise

Congress Avenue Bridge bats (March to October).

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Hamilton Pool and swimming holes

Book Hamilton Pool ahead.

See times and prices

Thinkery children's museum.
Bullock Texas State History Museum.

Evening and day-trip tours

Evening · Family · Low walking

Bat watching cruise

Congress Avenue Bridge bats (March to October).

See times and prices

Evening · Nightlife

Live music crawl

Sixth Street and Rainey Street.

See times and prices

Full day · Food

Hill Country wine tour

Fredericksburg wineries.

See times and prices

After dark

Sixth Street, Rainey Street and East Austin.

6 tours worth booking for Austin City Limits Music Festival

Tour	Length	Good for
Barbecue tour	Half day	Food lovers
Kayak on Lady Bird Lake	Half day	Families
Hamilton Pool and swimming holes	Half day	Families
Hill Country wine tour	Full day	Food lovers
Bat watching cruise	Evening	Families, Tired legs
Live music crawl	Evening	Night owls

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Franklin Barbecue Queue from 8 am
Terry Black's BBQ without the wait
Veracruz All Natural Migas tacos
Torchy's Tacos Local chain

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Blanton Museum of Art.
LBJ Library.

Getting around on event days

CapMetro buses and rideshare; event weeks have heavy traffic.

Day trips from Austin

Fredericksburg: 1.5 hours
San Antonio: 1.5 hours

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for Austin City Limits Music Festival.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Austin City Limits Music Festival 2027?

The next edition is 1 to 10 October 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Zilker Park?

Austin-Bergstrom (AUS) is 15 minutes from downtown and 15 minutes from COTA. Free shuttle from downtown; walking from South Congress.

Where should I stay for Austin City Limits Music Festival?

For most visitors the best base is South Congress: Shops, music and food trucks.

What else can we do around Austin City Limits Music Festival?

Good short outings in Austin include Barbecue tour, Kayak on Lady Bird Lake, Hamilton Pool and swimming holes. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Austin City Limits Music Festival?

Family-friendly picks: Kayak on Lady Bird Lake, Bat watching cruise, Hamilton Pool and swimming holes. Thinkery children's museum.

How far is Zilker Park from Austin centre?

About 3 km in a straight line. Free shuttle from downtown; walking from South Congress.

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