2023 information is not available yet. For reference check out the information from 2022 below.
AUSTIN CITY LIMITS MUSIC FESTIVAL ADA ACCESS AND ACCOMMODATIONS 2022
(subject to updates)
We want to make sure that all music lovers have access to the Austin City Limits Music Festival experience!
Getting There
Parking
ACL Fest has very limited parking available onsite. We will have a single, paved parking lot available for ADA parking available on first-come, first-served basis to vehicles displaying a state-issued handicapped plate or placard. The person to whom the placard or plate is issued must be present in the vehicle, as a driver or passenger. As part of gaining access to accessible parking, identifications will be checked to ensure legitimate use of these items. Specific driving directions to this parking area are found below.
ADA Pickup & Drop Off
ADA Pickup and Dropoff for accessible patrons is available to vehicles displaying a state-issued handicapped plate or placard. The person to whom the placard or plate is issued must be present in the vehicle, as a driver or passenger. As part of gaining access to accessible drop-off areas, identifications will be checked to ensure legitimate use of these items. Specific driving directions to this drop-off/pickup area are found below.
ACL Shuttles
Take advantage of the Complimentary Festival Shuttles provided by ACL Fest. Board at Republic Square Park at the corner of 5th & San Antonio streets in downtown Austin and you'll be dropped off outside the Barton Springs West Festival Entrance. When you're finished rocking, hop back on for a return trip to the same spot. Shuttles will run from Republic Square starting at Noon on Friday* and starting at 11AM on Saturday and Sunday of each weekend.
CAP MetroAccess
CapMetro’s MetroAccess also provides and accessible service. For more information on their service click here.
Parking & Pickup / Drop-off Driving Directions:
- From Southbound Mopac
Take the “Barton Skyway” exit, turn left at the traffic light at Barton Skyway and go across the bridge. Turn left onto the northbound MoPac service road and get in the right hand lane. Follow directions below.
- From Northbound Mopac
Take the “Barton Skyway” exit and proceed to the right hand lane of the northbound MoPac service road. Follow directions below.
Directions
- Continue to the next traffic light. Proceed through the light continuing to head north on the service road until reaching a manned, secured entrance about 1⁄2 mile on the right hand side.
- There will be a police officer or event staff person stationed there checking to ensure vehicles are displaying a state-issued handicapped plate or placard. The person to whom the placard or plate is issued must be present in the vehicle, as a driver or passenger. Be prepared to present identification to ensure legitimate use of a state-issued handicapped plate or placard.
- All vehicles will be screened prior to entering the festival grounds. Please plan accordingly as screening may include magnetometers, pat downs, bag searches and canines. Be advised that both firearm and explosive detection canines will be utilized.
- You will then be directed to the exact location of the Access Parking lot to park your vehicle OR drop-off / pickup an ADA Patron. Parking is very limited, and is on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Once parked OR dropped off, there will be a special golf cart shuttle at a marked pickup spot that will provide a ride down a hill to a specific location closer to the festival entrance. This golf cart shuttle is optional. If you choose to ride it, you must sign a Release of Liability form provided by the shuttle operator. The golf cart shuttle runs in a loop and can provide a ride back to the Access parking lot from a specific location. No extra stops or requests for special pick up or drop-off point are permitted. The shuttle runs from when the festival gates open until 9pm.
- Once inside the main gates, you can visit the Access Center at the Barton Springs entrance for more information.
Accessible Festival Entrance
There are specially designated lanes at the Festival entrances for patrons with disabilities. Look for the accessible signs above the entrance lanes or ask a staff member to direct you to the lanes.
ADA Accessibility Center ("Access Center"):
Once inside the Festival gates, please visit the Access Center, located near the Barton Springs entrance. Our Access Center services include, but are not limited to:
- Answers to questions specific to the Accessibility Program
- Information relevant to our patrons with disabilities
- Request for accessibility wristbands
- Power outlets for recharging powered mobility devices
- Programming information in large print and braille for reference
- Wristbands and Accessible Viewing Areas:
- All tickets to the Festival are general admission, purchasing an accessible ticket is not necessary.
Upon arrival, please visit the Access Center for information on the accessibility wristband program. Patrons with mobility impairments or Deaf/Hard of Hearing patrons can request an accessibility wristband at the Access Center. This wristband is to show Festival staff that the patron plus one companion is eligible to enter the accessible viewing areas or the Deaf and Hard of Hearing areas. The accessibility wristband is non-transferrable.
Note: The wristband does not guarantee a spot in these areas. Please note that both viewing areas have a limited capacity and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. We cannot save or reserve seats or areas on the platform. Once it's determined that an accessible viewing area is filled to capacity (including adequate aisle space for entering and exiting the area), the area will not be available for additional entry.
Signage will be placed at the Festival identifying all viewing areas for patrons with mobility limitations and patrons who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing. Please visit the Access Center for a map of the festival grounds. A version of the festival map is also linked here.
Patrons with Mobility Limitations:
The Festival is wheelchair accessible but is a large venue with great distances between activities and attractions. It is outdoors and across city streets and pathways. Some travel is over natural terrain and terrain designed for motor vehicles. If it should rain, there could be mud.
The Festival does not provide personal care, golf cart rides, or push services of any kind or wheelchairs for rent or loan. Wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, and three or four-wheeled scooters are allowed only for use by patrons with mobility disabilities. For safety reasons, requests to use other power-driven mobility devices will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Powered wheelchairs may also be charged at the Access Center. Patrons should bring all cords and accessories needed to charge their devices. Chargers must use a 110-volt, 20-amp circuit.
Accessible Restrooms
Accessible portable toilets are available at the ends of each bank of portable toilets throughout the Festival venue.
American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreted Performances:
The Festival provides many American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted music performances for patrons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Please email access@aclfestival.com to request a specific performance be interpreted. We ask that you make a request as soon as possible to allow adequate time to prepare. We will make every effort to accommodate, but cannot guarantee, requests not timely submitted.
Special Dietary Needs and Prescription Medicine:
Outside food and drink is not allowed inside the festival however, if a patron has special medical dietary restrictions, items will be allowed. It is recommended that patrons speak to the Security Manager and Medical Team members at the festival entry gate who can assist them.
Patrons are allowed to bring medically necessary materials and medications into the festival if they meet these guidelines:
- Prescriptions are in their original container
- Only one type of medication is present, and the bottle contains only the appropriate amount of medication necessary while in attendance
- Prescriptions are not expired
- The patron’s name is on the prescription bottle and is verified with an ID
Medications that require refrigeration can be brought to the medical tent for storage, after adhering to verification.
Out of concern for the Festival staff who handle the trash, please dispose of your medical waste and syringes in the proper disposal, which is located at the Medical Tent. Please see the official Festival Map Here for the location of the medical tent. Please do not dispose of these items in other trash bins at the Festival.
Service Animals:
Pets are not allowed within the Festival grounds. However, miniature horses and dogs, which have been trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability, are welcome. If accompanied by a service animal, you will be provided a Patron Notice of Responsibility for a Service Animal or you can request the form in advance by emailing access@aclfestival.com Please enter through the accessible lane at either entrance.
Have Questions about our ADA Access & Accommodations?
For any questions, please email access@aclfestival.com