If there’s one thing I’ve learned from going to Austin City Limits Music Festival since I was a teenager, it’s that the difference between having the BEST festival weekend ever and absolutely suffering through ACL can come down to what you bring with you.

ACL is not the kind of festival where you want to wing it. You’re going to be walking a ton, standing in the Texas heat, dealing with crowds, dust, sweat, questionable smells and potentially being separated from your friends at some point.

And yes, you can absolutely survive ACL with just your phone and your festival wristband. But after years of going, these are the things I personally would not leave at home.

Quick note: ACL’s rules can change, so always check the official bag and prohibited-items policies before you go. For 2026, the festival says small clutches/fanny packs up to 6″ x 9″ can be non-clear, while larger bags must be clear and no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″. Small empty hydration packs are also allowed.

1. A Portable Charger

Your phone is basically your lifeline at ACL.

You need it for your festival tickets, the festival app, taking photos, texting your friends, checking set times and, most importantly, figuring out how you’re getting home.

Do yourself a favor and bring a portable charger that is actually charged before you leave your house.

Your phone dying at 8 p.m. when you’re trying to find your friends in a crowd of thousands is NOT the move. Oh, and before you head into the festival, make the lineup your lock screen—or, even better, add an emergency contact to your lock screen so that if you lose your phone, hopefully an honest person can text them and coordinate a way to get it back to you.

2. A Way to Pay Without Digging Through Your Wallet

One of my biggest ACL tips is to make paying for things as easy as possible.

If you have an American Express card connected to your wristband and that option is available for your wristband, I highly recommend setting it up before you get to the festival.

Otherwise, have at least one debit or credit card available through Apple Pay.

You don’t want to be standing at a food or drink line trying to dig around for your wallet while everyone behind you waits.

And I personally wouldn’t bring your entire wallet. Bring the essentials.

3. Your ID

If you’re planning on drinking at ACL, bring your ID.

Even if you’re obviously over 21. Even if you think you’ll only have one drink. Even if your friend says they can get drinks for you.

You don’t want to get all the way into the festival and realize you don’t have what you need to get your drinks wristband.

Put your ID somewhere secure and easy to access.

4. A Cooling Towel

This is one of those things that sounds unnecessary until you’re standing in the Texas heat for three hours.

Then suddenly it’s your favorite possession.

A cooling towel takes up basically no room in your bag and can be a lifesaver when you’re sweating through your outfit.

And remember: ACL is in Austin in October, but that does not automatically mean it’s going to feel like fall. Texas weather does whatever it wants.

5. Band-Aids

This is the packing-list item you don’t think you need until your shoes start destroying your feet.

Bring a few Band-Aids, especially if you’re wearing new shoes, boots, sandals or anything that hasn’t been broken in.

ACL involves A LOT of walking.

A tiny package of Band-Aids takes up virtually no space and could save your entire day.

6. Travel Tissues + Travel Wipes for the Porta-Potty

I know this sounds random.

Trust me.

ACL can get dusty, especially when you’re walking around and thousands of people are moving through the same areas.

Add sweat, allergies and whatever else is floating around in the Austin air and suddenly you’re very happy you brought tissues.

They’re also great for wiping sweat off your face.

Keep a little travel pack in your bag.

7. A Reusable Water Bottle + Electrolytes

Hydration is not optional at ACL.

The festival provides hydration stations with free, filtered water, and ACL encourages attendees to bring an empty reusable water bottle to refill throughout the day.

I would also bring electrolyte packets so you can add them to your water when you need them.

Especially if you’re drinking alcohol.

Alcohol + heat + hours of walking + dancing = a combination you should take seriously.

Don’t wait until you feel terrible to start drinking water.

8. A Festival-Ready Bag

You need something that can hold all of your tiny essentials without becoming a giant burden.

But PLEASE check ACL’s current bag policy before buying a bag specifically for the festival.

For 2026, ACL says bags larger than 6″ x 9″ must be clear and no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″. Small, empty hydration packs are also permitted and don’t have to be clear, subject to the pocket restrictions.

A small clear bag, approved fanny pack or festival-friendly hydration pack can make your life much easier.

9. Sunglasses + Maybe a Hat

The sun can be BRUTAL.

Bring sunglasses that you’re not going to be devastated about losing in a crowd.

And if you’re a hat person, bring one.

A baseball cap or cute cowboy hat can also become part of your ACL outfit while giving you some additional sun coverage.

Two birds, one stone.

10. An Emergency Meeting Spot

This is one of my biggest ACL tips, especially if you’re going with a group.

Pick a meeting spot BEFORE you get separated.

Don’t just say, “We’ll text each other.”

Your phone could die. Someone could have no service. Someone could be in the middle of a crowd.

Pick an obvious location where everyone knows to meet if something goes wrong.

And ACL recommends having emergency contact information on you and on your phone’s lock screen.

11. Know Exactly How You’re Getting There AND Back

Do not make your transportation plan at 11:30 p.m. when you’re exhausted, sweaty and standing in a crowd of people trying to leave Zilker Park.

Figure it out beforehand.

Know:

• How you’re getting to ACL
• Where you’re being dropped off
• Where you’re getting picked up
• Whether you’re using a rideshare
• Where you’re meeting your rideshare
• How you’re getting home if your original plan falls through

If you’re driving, have a parking plan.

If you’re taking a rideshare, know where you’re supposed to walk to.

Future-you will be extremely grateful.

12. A Bandana

A bandana is another tiny item that can have a surprisingly big impact.

If you’re sensitive to dust, smells or smoke, bring one.

Because here’s the thing about ACL:

It’s going to smell.

You’ve got thousands of people packed together in the Texas heat. There’s going to be sweat. There’s going to be BO. There may be weed smoke. There are going to be food smells.

A bandana can also be useful if the dust gets kicked up around you.

It’s tiny enough that there’s really no reason not to throw one in your bag.

A Few Things I Would NOT Forget

Beyond the actual items, there are a few things I would do before leaving for ACL:

Charge everything. Your phone, portable charger, headphones — whatever you’re bringing.

Screenshot important information. Don’t rely entirely on having service.

Download the festival app. ACL’s official app is called Festiverse.

Screenshot your friends’ numbers. If your phone is acting weird, you don’t want to realize you don’t actually know anyone’s phone number.

Break in your shoes. Please do not debut your brand-new boots at ACL.

Check the weather. Texas weather can change dramatically, and October in Austin doesn’t necessarily mean cold weather.

Check the official ACL rules before you pack. The allowed/prohibited-items list and bag rules are the final word.

Bring a Tiny Portable Chair or Blanket: If you’re planning to sit wayyyyy in the back during sets instead of standing, bring a tiny portable chair or small blanket. Hey, I get it. It’s hot, your feet hurt, and maybe this is your 20th ACL and you’re officially over being in the pit. 😂 Just make sure whatever you bring is allowed under the festival’s current rules.

My ACL Packing Philosophy

After going to ACL since I was a teenager, my biggest advice is to pack for survival, not just the outfit.

Yes, you want the cute cowboy boots.

Yes, you want the perfect festival outfit.

Yes, you want the sunglasses and the accessories and the fun little bag.

But you’re going to have a MUCH better time if you’re also carrying water, electrolytes, a portable charger, Band-Aids and a plan for getting home.

Because the goal isn’t just to look cute at ACL. I promise, this list beats any you’ll see from TikTok in the new few weeks from transplants 😉

The goal is to make it through all three days and still want to go back next year.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you purchase something through one of my links, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I think are useful for ACL Festival and would personally consider bringing myself.