The 25th Austin City Limits Music Festival will take place Oct. 2‑4 and Oct. 9‑11 at Zilker Park. City officials are urging attendees to use alternative transportation and to stay alert for rain‑related hazards, as the festival coincides with the Week Without Driving challenge.
Parking and shuttle options
There is no on‑site parking at Zilker Park, and parking in surrounding neighborhoods is prohibited, according to Austin Transportation and Public Works (TPW). The nearest public parking is downtown. For those driving, paid parking can be reserved at the Barton Oaks and 1221 MoPac garages through LAZ Parking, or at Austin High School (1715 W. Cesar Chavez St.). Accessible parking details are available on the festival’s help center.
A free festival shuttle departs from Sand Beach Park at Walter Seaholm and Electric drives, dropping riders at the Barton Springs west entrance. The shuttle runs daily starting at 11:30 a.m., with return trips each evening, according to the city.
Public‑transit and active‑transport routes
CapMetro routes 3 and 803 stop near South Lamar Boulevard and Barton Springs Road, roughly three‑quarters of a mile from the festival entrance. Riders can plan trips using CapMetro’s trip planner.
The Ann and Roy Butler Hike‑and‑Bike Trail leads directly to the venue. Bike parking is available on Stratford Drive, Azie Morton Road, Toomey Road and Sterzing Street; scooter parking is designated on Toomey and Sterzing. The city advises checking trail conditions before heading out, especially during heavy rain, and to avoid crossing high water.
Rideshare and road closures
Rideshare pickup and drop‑off points are located at Veterans Drive under the MoPac pedestrian bridge, Lee Barton Drive and Wallingwood Drive. A 2025 code update prohibits drivers from stopping in bike lanes, even briefly, for pickups.
Road closures will be in effect on both festival weekends: Barton Springs Road is closed from 7 p.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. Monday, Stratford Drive from 9 a.m. Thursday through Monday, and Azie Morton Road from 11 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on festival days. Some lots and roads may remain closed through Oct. 16 while stages are dismantled.
Weather and safety alerts
Rain and cooler‑than‑normal temperatures are forecast for the first weekend, and the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch through 7 p.m. Friday. The Austin‑Travis County Emergency Operations Center activated on Oct. 1 in anticipation of 2‑3 inches of rain, with isolated pockets of up to 8 inches possible.
Walking, biking or driving through high water or around barricades is a Class B misdemeanor. Low‑water crossing status is posted at ATXFloods.com. Festival producer C3 Presents will adjust the schedule in consultation with the weather service and city public‑safety agencies if needed.
Attendees are encouraged to text “ACL” to 64934 or enable notifications in the Festiverse app for real‑time alerts.
Health and security measures
Austin‑Travis County Emergency Medical Services advises waterproof layers, slip‑resistant shoes and any necessary rescue medication. In an emergency, locate a medical tent or call 911, providing a clear location description; the what3words app can assist responders.
The nonprofit This Must Be the Place will distribute naloxone at its booth, and attendees may bring their own factory‑sealed naloxone. “We are not here to judge,” said Capt. Shannon Koesterer of EMS.
Austin Police Department will run a No Refusal Initiative from 9:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. daily Oct. 3‑12, allowing officers to seek blood‑search warrants for DWI suspects who refuse tests. Drones are prohibited within one mile of the festival grounds without an FAA waiver.
Finally, the city recommends bringing an empty refillable water bottle and establishing a meeting place in case cell service is spotty.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Austin — read the source article.
