How to Enjoy Your ACL Festival Weekend Like a VIP

If the idea of navigating a crowded Zilker Park during Austin City Limits Music Festival gives you an immediate feeling of claustrophobic anxiety, or makes your feet hurt instinctively, or creates a stir of irritation at the mere thought of standing in line after line, we feel you. However, we simply couldn’t miss ACL! We truly love to attend this annual, iconic music festival. We’re just ready to fest on our own comfy, cushy, VIP terms.

In our preferred festival dream scenario we can experience a zippy and pleasant festival entry, refreshing cocktail bars without lines, air conditioned bathrooms, shaded lounge chairs to sit and rest, and great views to watch the bands without feeling cramped or squeezed in.

Too much to ask? No. Not for you, dear.

Austin City Limits Music Festival is coming up Oct. 4 – 6 and 11 – 13. We’re here to share how to enjoy your ACL Festival weekend like the true VIP you were born to be.

It all starts with the right wristband

It is a price jump to get VIP or Platinum wristbands instead of GA. However, if you wish to splurge, you’ll find the perks are numerous. Enjoy exclusive lounge areas, dedicated skip-the-line entrance ways, two viewing decks, complimentary food and drinks, and more.

Amenities for ACL Festival VIP Guests

As a VIP guest, you’ll have free range of two private spaces with amenities for recharging throughout the day. The VIP Grove East is located on the southern edge of the park, between the T-Mobile and American Express stages. VIP Grove West is found at the west end of the park between the BMI and Honda stages. Both VIP Viewing Decks offer elevated sight lines of the two main stages. Both Lounges offer plenty of nice shady seating areas, exclusive shopping opportunities, a salon station for hair braiding, air-conditioned restrooms, and a dedicated VIP Concierge to assist with your miscellaneous festival needs. New this year: Wi-Fi in both VIP groves, complimentary massage in VIP Grove East from 12pm – 6pm daily.

VIP guests also get to take advantage of all-inclusive drinking and dining within both VIP Groves which includes a generous assortment of complimentary cold beer, seltzers, wine, spirits, sodas and energy drinks. New this year: A variety of food will be available for purchase in VIP. While a majority of the food options are available in VIP East (by American Express Stage), there are food offerings in VIP West as well.

RELATED: Get to Know 8 Local Bands Playing ACL Music Festival This Year

Platinum Perks

Getting to the Fest is a breeze with complimentary, roundtrip shuttle service between the JW Marriott and the Platinum West Entrance. You can also avoid the crowds and use the Platinum-only entrances into the Festival. Once inside, hop on a golf cart to be taken directly to the Platinum Lounge. In fact, golf cart services is available at virtually every corner of the park.

One of the most popular perks of Platinum is access to fantastic stage viewing that includes exclusive spaces at six stages, and each includes beer, seltzer and water service.

The Platinum Lounge presented by Intel is loaded with amenities and a relaxing spot for taking a load off. Enjoy complimentary drives from the full service bar as well as all day dinging from some of Austin’s top restaurants: Barb’s BQ , Canje, Chef Jo Chan, Nixta Taqueria, and parkside.

View more info about VIP or Platinum wristbands — or even upgrade further to use private bungalows or cabanas.

RELATED: This Year’s ACL Festival Offers Bungalows and New Levels of VIP Luxury Without Limits

Amex card members get an elevated experience

Whether you’re attending with a GA wristband VIP, or Platinum, if you are a premium American Express Card Member you are able to enter the Amex® Saloon next to the American Express Stage, which features a saloon-inspired bar and lounge (space is limited). The space will offer beverages for purchase and shaded lawn games and  seating. Card Members and guests can also enjoy personalized boot branding. In the Amex Saloon, Card Members can also sign up for American Express Side Stage viewing access (while capacities allow).

At the Amex Experience, Card Members, can enter a merch customization room, which is exclusively available to offering either a complimentary hat or mini-tote bag, a disco-cowboy inspired bar featuring cocktails and ready-to-drink options, such as beer, wine, hard seltzers and non-alcoholic offerings. At a new Mystery Merch Window on the outside of the Amex Experience, Card Members will have exclusive access to purchase a mystery box of merch from festival headliners Dua Lipa and Tyler, the Creator in addition to official Austin City Limits Music Festival merch, while supplies last.

We suggest getting ample rest and hydrating to be sure you’re ready to fest with the best. No matter how you plan your ACL Festival VIP weekend, we hope you have a wonderful experience!