Read the bag policy before you pack. ACL allows chairs, strollers, hydration packs, and totems, which is more permissive than many festivals. But bag sizes are specific and the rules are enforced at entry. Knowing what is allowed before you leave your hotel keeps you from making decisions at the security line. Source: official ACL bag policy and allowed items page.
Bag Policy
The following reflects the ACL bag policy as of June 2026. Always check the current policy at aclfestival.com before you pack as rules can change year to year. Source: support.aclfestival.com.
Approved Bags
- Small clutch purses and fanny packs 6" x 9" or smaller do not need to be clear but can have no more than one pocket
- All other bags larger than 6" x 9" must be smaller than 12" x 6" x 12" and clear
- Small, empty hydration packs are allowed and do not need to be clear. Hydration packs can have up to two pockets in addition to the one holding the water reservoir
All bags will be searched before entry. Leaving your bag at home gets you through security fastest. ACL cannot advise on specific bag models. Source: official ACL bag policy.
Allowed Items
Source: official ACL allowed and prohibited items page.
- Empty reusable water bottles, hydration packs, and plastic or aluminum water bottles
- Baby strollers, including stroller wagons designed to transport children with children present
- Chairs, with the exception of inflatables and chairs with shade structures
- Binoculars
- Blankets, sheets, and towels
- Basic point-and-shoot consumer cameras without detachable lenses (no monopods, selfie sticks, tripods, GoPro mounts, or other attachments)
- Personal hand sanitizer 3.4 oz or less
- Portable battery packs
- Personal misting fans with a bottle no larger than 1.5L, must be empty upon entry
- Non-aerosol sunscreen, 3.4 oz or less
- Totems and totems with flags less than 7 feet tall and less than 1 inch in diameter, made of light material such as swim noodles, foam, cardboard tubes, fabric, or balloons
- Factory sealed Naloxone/Narcan kit
- Hydration and electrolyte packets in factory sealed single serving packages
Prescription medicine: must be in the pharmacy-labeled container with prescription, dosage, and patient name. Present to medical staff at the entrance gate. Only a sufficient supply for that day is allowed. Over the counter medications are allowed in a sufficient supply for the day and will be verified by medical staff at entry. Source: official ACL allowed and prohibited items page.
Prohibited Items
Source: official ACL allowed and prohibited items page. This list is subject to change. If an item is not listed it is up to security's discretion.
- Any bag not aligned with the bag policy
- Aerosol containers, including sunscreen and personal beauty products
- Coolers of any kind (exceptions may be made for medical use)
- Professional audio, photo, or video recording equipment of any kind
- Large professional detachable zoom lenses, stands, monopods, tripods, or selfie sticks
- Drones or any remote flying device
- Frisbees
- Hammocks
- Inflatables of any kind
- Glass containers of any kind
- Illegal and illicit substances of any kind
- Outside food or beverages including alcohol
- Umbrellas
- Pets (service animals excepted)
- Skateboards, scooters, bicycles, wagons, carts, or personal motorized vehicles
- Tents, canopies, or shade structures of any kind including chairs with shade structures
- Unauthorized vendors, solicitation, handbills, flyers, stickers, beach balls, giveaways, or samples
- Weapons or explosives of any kind
- Fireworks
- Large chains or spiked jewelry
- Bicycles inside festival grounds
- Carts of any kind including red wagons
Zilker Park is smoke free. Smoking and vaping are banned in all Austin parks. Source: official ACL allowed and prohibited items page.
What to Pack
ACL allows re-entry twice per day, which gives you more flexibility than a no-re-entry festival. But October Austin heat during afternoon sets is real, the park gets dusty by the end of the weekend, and you are on your feet for long days. Pack for the conditions, stay within the bag dimensions, and bring everything you need before you leave the hotel.
The Essentials
- Approved bag: A fanny pack or clutch 6" x 9" or smaller, or a clear bag up to 12" x 6" x 12". Fanny pack is the fastest through security and keeps your hands free all day. If you want to bring a chair, blanket, or hydration pack that requires a larger bag, make sure it is clear and within the size limit.
- Empty reusable water bottle or hydration pack: Both are allowed. Water refill stations are free inside the park. Staying hydrated during hot October afternoons is one of the most important things you can do for a three-day festival.
- Non-aerosol sunscreen, 3.4 oz or less: Aerosol cans are not permitted. October in Texas still means strong afternoon sun in an open park. Reapply throughout the day and not just in the morning.
- Portable battery pack: A full day of using the app, taking photos, and messaging your group will drain your phone. Keep it small enough to fit your approved bag.
- ID: Required for alcohol purchases and for Platinum Kids ticket entry if applicable.
Weather and Comfort
- Bandana or light scarf: Zilker Park gets progressively dustier as the weekend goes on. Having something you can pull up over your nose and mouth when you need it is one of the most practical things veteran ACL attendees consistently recommend. Source: ACL community advice.
- Light layer for the evening: Austin cools down noticeably after sunset. A light jacket or hoodie you can tie around your waist or tuck into a bag keeps you covered when the temperature drops during late sets.
- Comfortable shoes that are already broken in: Boots and new shoes are the most common regret in the ACL community. The park is large, the days are long, and your feet determine whether Day 3 is fun or miserable. Wear something you already trust.
- Hat and sunglasses: Both are allowed and useful during afternoon sets in the open park setting.
- Lightweight chair: Chairs are allowed with the exception of inflatables and chairs with shade structures. If you want one, bring a compact folding chair you can carry easily. It is one of the things that makes ACL feel different from most major festivals.
Practical Add-Ons
- Wet wipes and small pack of tissues: Porta-potties run out of supplies during peak hours. Having your own means you are covered regardless of conditions. This comes up repeatedly in the ACL attendee community. Source: ACL community advice.
- Personal hand sanitizer, 3.4 oz or less: On the allowed list. Worth having after porta-potties and before eating.
- Earplugs: Three days of live music at volume. High fidelity earplugs let you hear clearly while protecting your hearing. Bring a backup pair. They fit in any pocket.
- Misting fan, empty upon entry: Allowed with a reservoir up to 1.5L, as long as it is empty when you come in. Fill it up at a water station inside. Useful during afternoon heat.
- Blanket or towel: Allowed and useful if you are planning to sit on the grass for sets.
What to Leave at the Hotel
- Aerosol sunscreen or any aerosol can
- Bags that are oversized or not clear when they need to be
- Umbrellas
- Coolers of any kind
- GoPro, professional camera, or any camera with a detachable lens
- Selfie sticks, tripods, or monopods
- Glass containers
- Large chains or spiked jewelry
- Outside food or drinks
- Chairs with shade structures or inflatable chairs
As of June 2026, ACL allows you to leave and re-enter up to two additional times per day. That gives you more flexibility than a no-re-entry festival. If you forget something or need a break, you are not locked out. That said, having your sunscreen, your water, your battery pack, and your bandana when you walk in means you are not burning a re-entry on a logistics run. Come prepared so you can use re-entry for real breaks instead of forgotten items. Always check the current FAQ before you go as policies can change.
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