Austin in October is a mood. The humidity finally stops punching you in the face, the bats are doing their thing under the Congress Bridge, and Zilker Park transforms into a dusty, neon-soaked sprawling mess of music. But there is always that nagging question for anyone holding a wristband: did I pick the right weekend?
Choosing between the two is basically a personality test. Weekend 1 has the "first look" hype and the untouched grass, but the weekend 2 acl lineup usually has the secrets. It has the refined sets. By the time the second Friday rolls around, the artists have figured out exactly which songs the Austin crowd actually wants to hear.
The Heavy Hitters are Back (But Different)
Look, the big names don't change. You’re still getting the massive, stadium-level energy of Sabrina Carpenter and the soulful, cathedral-filling vocals of Hozier. They play both. It’s the law of the festival. But honestly, the vibe at the American Express stage during Weekend 2 hits different.
Sabrina Carpenter’s set on that second Saturday is often where the real fun happens. The "Nonsense" outros are usually more unhinged. The crowd knows the bits. It feels less like a press tour and more like a victory lap. Then you have The Strokes. Julian Casablancas is notoriously unpredictable, but by Weekend 2, the band is locked in. If you caught them during the 2025 run, you know exactly what I mean—Weekend 2 got that raw, garage-rock precision that makes Zilker feel like a tiny club in NYC for an hour.
The Exclusives You Can't Miss
This is where the weekend 2 acl lineup really flexes. Everyone talks about the headliners, but the real ones know the "W2 Only" tag is where the gold is buried.
In 2025, we saw some massive swaps that changed the entire complexion of the Sunday afternoon. While Weekend 1 had their fun, Weekend 2 snagged Rilo Kiley. That reunion energy is something you just can't replicate. Seeing Jenny Lewis back on stage under the Texas sun? It’s a core memory for anyone who grew up on 2000s indie.
Here are a few other names that typically populate that exclusive Weekend 2 list:
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- Pierce The Veil: They brought an entirely different, high-octane energy to the T-Mobile stage that the first weekend completely missed out on.
- Zeds Dead: For the bass heads, this was the defining moment of the second Saturday.
- Car Seat Headrest: Will Toledo’s brand of anxious, sprawling indie rock is a Weekend 2 staple that keeps the "keep Austin weird" spirit alive.
- Fujii Kaze: A massive international draw that gave the second weekend a global flavor Weekend 1 lacked.
The "Dust Lung" and the Logistics
Let’s be real for a second. By Friday of the second weekend, the grass in Zilker Park is gone. It is a memory. You are walking on a fine, grey powder that will eventually reside in your lungs for the next three weeks. We call it "ACL Dust Lung."
Wear a bandana. Seriously.
But the trade-off is the logistics. The staff has had a five-day break to figure out why the lines at the Barton Springs entrance were a nightmare. The bartenders are faster. The portable toilets... well, they aren't better, but the pathing to get to them is usually more efficient.
Managing the Genre Jump
One of the coolest things about the weekend 2 acl lineup is how it forces you to be a musical polyglot. You might start your day at the Tito’s stage with some local Austin jazz or a singer-songwriter like Sam Barber, then immediately sprint across the park to catch Doechii tearing up the Honda stage.
The 2025 schedule was a perfect example of this beautiful chaos. On Sunday, you had the choice of the legendary T-Pain—who, by the way, puts on one of the most high-energy, nostalgic sets in festival history—or the moody, atmospheric vibes of Mk.gee.
Most people get the scheduling wrong. They try to see everyone. You can't. If you try to see the full set of every artist on your "must-watch" list, you will spend 40% of your weekend walking. The move is to pick a stage and camp for at least two acts. The "middle of the pack" artists like Remi Wolf or Kenny Beats often end up being the highlights because you aren't stressed about the 15-minute trek to the other side of the park.
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Why Sunday is the Secret Weapon
Everyone goes hard on Friday and Saturday. By Sunday, the "ACL exhaustion" has set in. But the weekend 2 acl lineup is usually back-loaded with the most interesting stuff.
Take John Summit. Closing out a festival with house music is a specific kind of magic. In 2025, while some were winding down at the country-tinged sets, the T-Mobile stage was a full-blown rave. Or you have Doja Cat, whose production value is so high it feels like you're watching a Broadway show that happens to have incredible bass.
There’s also the "Texas-OU" factor. Usually, the Red River Rivalry falls on the second weekend. This means the park can feel a little thinner in the early afternoon as people are huddled around the beer tent screens watching the game. If you don't care about football, this is your golden hour. Short lines for Amy’s Ice Creams. Front-row access for the 2:00 PM acts. It’s the ultimate life hack.
The Austin Local Factor
You can’t talk about ACL without the local acts. The weekend 2 acl lineup always makes room for the hometown heroes. Whether it's the Huston-Tillotson University Jazz Collective opening things up or a surprise appearance from an Austin staple at the BMI stage, these are the sets that remind you where you are.
It isn't just a generic festival in a field. It’s Zilker. You have the Austin skyline staring at you from behind the stages. When the sun starts to dip during a set by someone like Khruangbin or Leon Bridges, and the city lights start to flicker on, it’s hard to imagine being anywhere else.
Actionable Tips for Navigating the Lineup
Don't just show up and hope for the best. That’s how you end up missing the best set of the weekend because you were waiting 30 minutes for a $14 taco.
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First, download the app, but don't rely on it. Cell service in the middle of 75,000 people is a myth. Screenshot the daily schedule and set it as your lock screen. It saves your battery and your sanity.
Second, prioritize the small stages. The Miller Lite and BMI stages often host the artists who will be headlining in three years. Seeing someone like Wet Leg or The Dare on a side stage before they explode is why you pay the ticket price.
Third, embrace the 21+ wristband early. Even if you aren't a big drinker, getting that ID check out of the way at 1:00 PM saves you from the 5:00 PM rush when everyone realizes they want a canned cocktail.
Finally, leave the headliner ten minutes early. I know, it sounds like sacrilege. But if you wait until the final note of the Sunday headliner, you are joining a slow-moving parade of thousands of people trying to funnel through two exits. If you catch the first half of the encore and then start walking toward the Lady Bird Lake exit, you’ll be in a pedicab or an Uber before the gridlock even starts.
The weekend 2 acl lineup isn't just a repeat of the first weekend. It’s the final word on the festival season. It’s dustier, weirder, and usually a lot more memorable.
Check the official ACL website for the most recent set time adjustments, as those "surprise" additions usually drop on the Tuesday before the gates open. Secure your hydration pack, find a good pair of broken-in boots, and get ready for the long haul. Zilker is waiting.