Getting Around
Don't Drive If You Can Help ItCapMetro
Austin's transit authority — buses, the MetroRail Red Line, and the CapMetro app for real-time arrivals. Big festivals (ACL, SXSW) often add special service; check here first to skip the parking war.
Austin-Bergstrom (AUS)
The airport's official site for flying in for a festival weekend — gate maps, ground transport, and the rideshare/taxi pickup zones that fill up fast during SXSW and ACL.
Zilker Park Map
Ground zero for ACL Fest, Trail of Lights, the Kite Festival, and Blues on the Green. Use it to scout the bike-valet entrances, shuttle stops, and which neighborhood to park in (Barton Hills vs. South Lamar).
Weather & Conditions
Texas Weather Is a Festival HazardNational Weather Service — Austin
The authoritative forecast. Outdoor festivals get cancelled or paused for lightning and heavy rain (it has happened at ACL, Two Step Inn, and others), and October still hits 90°F — check before you pack.
Austin Air Quality & Heat
Heat advisories and air-quality alerts from the city. Summer festivals (Bat Fest, Blues on the Green) and any all-day outdoor event mean hydration and shade strategy — this is your early warning.
Tickets & Money
Buy From the Real SourceFront Gate Tickets
The Austin-based ticketer behind ACL Fest and many local festivals. Buying here (not a resale site) is the safest way to avoid counterfeit wristbands and inflated prices.
Free Things to Do in Austin
Visit Austin's running list of free experiences. Many of the best festival moments — Eeyore's Birthday, Bat Fest viewing, Reggae Fest, SXSW free showcases — cost nothing if you know where to look.
Stay & Explore
After the EncoreAustin Hangout
Where to go before and after the festival — bars, patios, and late-night spots across Austin's neighborhoods, from a sister site in the WholeTech Network.
Austin Coffee Showdown
The recovery-day essential. A ranked guide to Austin's best coffee shops — exactly what you need the morning after Weekend 1.
Austin Retire
For visitors who fall in love with the festival city and start thinking about staying. Part of the same network, focused on settling down in Austin.
Looking for the official festival sites themselves? Those live on our Sources page. Know a resource we missed? Suggest it.