The 2024 Austin City Limits Music Festival generated $8.4 million for enhancements across Austin's parks system, adding to a financial partnership that's directed more than $71 million to support city green spaces since the mid-2000s.

"It's incredible to see all the amazing work and improvements that has been made possible for our community as a result of this," Mayor Kirk Watson said. "I know I have good judgment and I know I have good taste, but we can all agree that these investments will continue improving parks in every corner of Austin, and not just Zilker Park where the festival takes place."

The big picture

Austin officials joined representatives with the nonprofit Austin Parks Foundation and ACL producer C3 Presents May 7 to unveil the annual event's latest economic impact report and new parks funding. ACL Fest and the parks foundation have partnered for years on contributions for local public spaces.

"This is really all about maintaining Austin's parks and recreation system, and helping make sure that all of us in Austin continue to have access to parks and green space wherever we live, work and play," Parks and Recreation Director Jesús Aguirre said.
Funding from ACL Fest has supported millions of dollars of Austin park improvements over two decades. (Ben Thompson/Community Impact)
Funding from ACL Fest has supported millions of dollars of Austin park improvements over two decades. (Ben Thompson/Community Impact)
The 2024 iteration of ACL contributed almost $535 million to Austin's economy overall with the $8.4 million for local park improvements, according to an analysis by Angelou Economics. ACL has generated more than $4.1 billion in total since festival impacts were first reported in 2006—including the tens of millions supporting more than 250 parks projects—according to C3 and the parks foundation. The festival's 2024 impact report can be viewed here.


"ACL is not just a beloved event for our community. It's not just an economic driver ... but it's an event that takes care of our parks at its core," APF CEO Colin Wallis said.

Festival funding is going toward new park development and improvements citywide including:
ACL Fest's partnership with the Austin Parks Foundation has helped fund projects like the Henry G. Madison Cabin restoration at Rosewood Neighborhood Park. (Ben Thompson/Community Impact)
ACL Fest's partnership with the Austin Parks Foundation has helped fund projects like the Henry G. Madison Cabin restoration at Rosewood Neighborhood Park. (Ben Thompson/Community Impact)
APF grants have also funded recent investments like new lighting for the ballfields at Pan American Neighborhood Park, the development of the Earl J. Pomerlau Pocket Park, and improvements at Brownie Neighborhood Park, the McBeth Recreation Center and Deep Eddy Pool. Council members Ryan Alter and Paige Ellis highlighted projects supported by the APF partnership in their districts like improved basketball courts at Garrison Park, development of the Scenic Brook Pocket Park and the return of the Zilker Eagle mini-train.

"We can't do everything by ourselves. We need partners. And it's not every day that someone shows up with a check, and it's certainly not every day that someone shows up with over $8 million to support such a cause like our parks," Alter said.

Looking ahead


The 2025 Austin City Limits Music Festival will take place Oct. 3-5 and Oct. 10-12 at Zilker Park. The lineup, announced May 6, features headliners including Sabrina Carpenter, Luke Combs, John Summit and Doechii. Tickets are now on sale.