The Perfect ACL Music Festival 2025 Weekend Two in Austin

If Weekend 1 is ACL’s explosive kickoff, Weekend 2 is its polished encore. From October 10–12, 2025, Zilker Park once again transforms into Austin’s biggest stage, bringing together headliners, rising talent, and a food lineup as legendary as the music. Weekend 2 often feels different from the first weekend. Not lesser, but uniquely its own. The crowds tend to be more local, the sets looser as artists find their rhythm, and the city itself more in step with the festival energy. For many longtime ACL fans, Weekend 2 is the true sweet spot.

This year’s Weekend 2 lineup proves why. It mixes nostalgic names like Cage the Elephant, Passion Pit, and Dr. Dog with genre-crossing acts such as Empire of the Sun, Marina, and T-Pain. Rising performers including The Favors, Yoke Lore, and The Dare round out the days, ensuring that every slot on the schedule brings discovery and excitement. And of course, Sunday’s bonus drag shows add a distinctly Austin twist that celebrates the city’s vibrant, inclusive culture.

Beyond the music, ACL Eats offers some of the best food you’ll find at any U.S. music festival. From kimchi fries at Chi’Lantro to smoky brisket at Brotherton’s BBQ, from vegan eats at Skull & Cakebones to fried Oreos at The Corndog Company, food is a central part of the ACL experience. Pairing world-class performances with iconic Austin eats is what makes this festival unforgettable. This guide lays out the perfect Weekend 2 itinerary, from where to grab breakfast before the gates open, to which artists to see throughout the day, to where to land after the encore. Whether you’re here for the music, the food, or both, Weekend 2 delivers a complete Austin experience you won’t want to miss.

Friday (October 10): Indie Meets Electro

Start your Friday with a solid base at Blenders & Bowls for a refreshing acai bowl or smoothie. For something indulgent, try Burro Grilled Cheese. A gooey sandwich will fuel you for a long festival day.

Friday’s afternoon kicks off with The Favors, a buzzy new band bringing fresh energy to ACL. Later, Empire of the Sun lights up the stage with colorful visuals and electro-pop anthems that feel made for sunset in Zilker. Dr. Dog will also take the stage with their blend of psychedelic folk and indie rock, a farewell tour favorite for longtime fans. Luke Combs will once again deliver modern country anthems that turn Zilker into a giant singalong, while Hozier will also again close the night with soulful ballads like “Take Me to Church” and “Eat Your Young,”.

Hungry between acts? Head to Chi’Lantro for kimchi fries and Korean-Mexican fusion, or grab tacos from La Santa Barbacha, a Michelin Bib Gourmand standout. Both are fast, flavorful, and festival-perfect. For late-night eats, Show Me Pizza offers Neapolitan pies until late, while T-Loc’s Sonora Hot Dogs serves bacon-wrapped hot dogs smothered in toppings—a classic ACL after-show snack.

Saturday (October 11): Alt-Pop & Rock Vibes

Start Saturday with Mama Fried (11 AM – midnight), famous for loaded fries drenched in toppings, or grab a smoothie at JuiceLand (7 AM – 9 PM daily) if you want something lighter.

Saturday’s lineup spans pop, indie, and even emo revival. Yoke Lore delivers heartfelt indie-folk with banjo-driven beats, while Marina (formerly Marina and the Diamonds) brings glittery pop brilliance. Djo (the project of Joe Keery from Stranger Things) mixes psychedelic grooves with retro energy, a crowd favorite for discovery fans. Our headliners Sabrina Carpenter and The Strokes will end the evening with their anthems, bringing Saturday Night to a satisfying close.

During the day you can fuel up with Brotherton’s BBQ for smoky brisket or OKO for Filipino dishes rarely seen on festival grounds. Both provide hearty meals before the evening headliners. When the music winds down, hit Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken for crispy heat, or Justine’s Brasserie for French-inspired late-night dining.

If you’re looking to watch the UT – OU Red River Rivalry near Zilker Park and skipping the afternoon performances, head on north into downtown Austin or closer to campus. The Tavern in downtown Austin and Scholz Garten will for sure carry the game. Near campus, Victory Lap, Cain & Abel’s, and The Posse East are iconic hangouts, especially for early pre‐game festivities.

Sunday, October 12: Genre-Bending Finale

By Sunday morning, comfort food is a must. Skull & Cakebones offers vegan eats like Buffalo cauliflower, while Kababeque serves shawarma wraps and loaded fries.

Sunday’s lineup is a genre mashup that perfectly closes the festival. The Dare brings dance-punk energy to kick off the day, followed by Gregory Alan Isakov, whose poetic folk songs provide a quiet but powerful moment in the afternoon. T-Pain turns Zilker into a giant party with nostalgic hits and new grooves. Passion Pit closes with their indie-electro anthems like “Sleepyhead” and “Take a Walk.” It’s a finale built for dancing and singing until the very end.

Bonus Tracks: Weekend 2’s Sunday also features multiple drag shows, a highlight of ACL’s commitment to Austin’s inclusive culture. These performances bring extra color, camp, and celebration into the day, making Sunday more than just a music lineup, it’s a full-spectrum festival experience.

For food, grab Venezuelan comfort food at Four Brothers Venezuelan Grill or smoky Egyptian-inspired BBQ sides from KG BBQ. Both are flavorful and unique, the kind of eats you’ll crave long after the weekend ends.

Close out your festival with indulgence: Iron Burger smashes out juicy burgers, while The Corndog Company satisfies late-night cravings with fried Oreos and festival-style corndogs.

Closing Thoughts: Why Weekend 2 Shines

ACL Fest 2025 Weekend 2 proves the festival’s second act is just as powerful as the first. With this lineup, fans can expect a wide range of performances that highlight both nostalgia and discovery. Add in Sunday’s bonus drag shows, and Weekend 2 feels uniquely Austin, bold, inclusive, and unforgettable. The ACL Eats lineup is equally strong. From kimchi fries at Chi’Lantro to ribs from Brotherton’s BBQ, from Venezuelan arepas to Filipino street food, the vendors ensure that your stomach has just as much fun as your ears. Weekend 2 especially shines with experimental eats and new vendors, giving returning festival-goers fresh flavors to look forward to.

Where Weekend 1 thrives on opening energy, Weekend 2 is the polished encore. The crowds are a little more seasoned and the vibe more community-driven. It’s Austin at its best: a place where you can catch your favorite band, discover a new one, eat world-class food, and celebrate inclusivity all in one weekend.