If you’ve ever wished you could walk on the same stage where legends recorded Austin City Limits, peek behind the curtain of one of Austin’s most iconic music venues, or introduce your kids to live music in a way that feels both magical and totally Austin, ACL Live Community Day is the event you can’t miss.
DOWNTOWN
Interactive map with permits, restaurants, bars & development data
The venue is celebrating 15 years with its first-ever free, family-focused, full-access open house—complete with backstage tours, live music all day, hands-on kids’ activities, special performances, and giveaways from some of Austin’s favorite brands. The experience is part of a growing wave of family-friendly cultural events across the city, from massive outdoor days at Zilker Park to insider tours of Austin’s historic moontowers.
Important note: Earlier announcements listed conflicting dates, but the official ACL Live events calendar and upcoming events page confirm ACL Live Community Day is on February 22, 2026, 10 AM–4 PM. Always double-check the listing or AXS ticketing page for any last-minute updates before heading out.
As of the latest official listings, ACL Live Community Day is confirmed for Sunday, February 22, 2026, 10 AM–4 PM. Always reconfirm the date and time on ACL Live or AXS before you head downtown.
INSIDE ACL LIVE COMMUNITY DAY 2026
ACL Live at The Moody Theater
Free with advance ticketLOCATION
310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd., Austin, TX — home to ACL Live at The Moody Theater, the modern venue that carries forward the Austin City Limits live-music legacy.
ADMISSION
Free with advance ticket (recommended). Walk-ups available as capacity allows; reserve your spot via the official ACL Live Community Day ticketing link.
Lock in your free Community Day tickets through AXS ahead of time—walk-up entry is allowed, but the venue can hit capacity during peak late-morning and early-afternoon hours.
HOURS
10 AM–4 PM, as outlined on the official ACL Live Community Day event page.
LIVE MUSIC SCHEDULE (PNC Hall)
• 10:30–11:15 AM: Paige Plaisance
• 11:45 AM–12:45 PM: Nick Taylor
• 1:00–1:45 PM: Cherri
• 2:00–3:00 PM: Elijah Delgado
Music set times and performers can shift slightly—use the ACL Live Community Day event page as your source of truth the week of the event.
Additional performances include Rock and Roll Playhouse’s kid‑friendly Grateful Dead tribute and Big Loud Texas showcases, giving kids a gentle on-ramp into Austin’s live‑music culture that sits alongside bigger touchstones like the Austin City Limits Festival.
WHAT TO DO
• Take self-guided ACLTV exhibit tours spanning 50 years of music history, using the ACL TV tapings archives as a backdrop for what you’re seeing on the walls.
• Join guided backstage tours departing every 15 minutes (last tour 3:30 PM), a similar behind-the-scenes peek to other insider cultural stops like The Butterfly Bar.
• Step onto the original Austin City Limits TV stage where Willie Nelson performed in 1974, connecting the modern venue to its historic ACL roots.
• Play on a 20-foot PNC Bank Giant Piano.
• Meet Clifford the Big Red Dog and enjoy Austin PBS kids activities, echoing the hands-on kid experiences you’ll find at other big family days like Austin’s Puppy Bowl 2026.
• Create Willie Nelson braids, bandanas, spin art, and Valentine’s cards for kids in foster care.
• Snap photos at the Smilebooth.
FOOD & DRINK
• Torchy’s Tacos: Free queso, 10 AM–noon (while supplies last)
• Chick‑fil‑A available for purchase
• Free Waterloo Sparkling Water samples
• Free B12 shots from IVitamin (while supplies last)
VENDORS & ACTIVATIONS
• Dingo Boots giveaways
• Caricatures, popcorn, and workforce resources from Dwyer Workforce Development
• PBS Kids resources and craft stations
INSIDER INTELLIGENCE
• Best arrival time: Arrive before 10 AM if you want a guided backstage tour with minimal wait—these fill quickly, just like timed-entry experiences at other major Austin happenings such as the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon.
If backstage access is a must, aim to be in line a little before doors open—early arrivals can often knock out a tour, explore exhibits, and still catch the first music set without rushing.
• Kid-perfect activity flow: Hit the Giant Piano and Clifford meet-and-greet early, then catch the first music set at 10:30 AM, using the official event schedule to time snack and craft breaks.
Think of the schedule in 60–90 minute blocks: alternate high-energy moments (Giant Piano, live sets) with calmer craft time to keep younger kids happy all day.
• Underrated highlight: The short film in 3TEN gives essential context for the ACL legacy—worth the 10 minutes if you want deeper history than you’d get from a typical concert night on the ACL Live events calendar.
• Parking heads-up: Block 21 garages fill during major events; plan to use street parking around 2nd–4th streets or rideshare, similar to how you’d strategize for crowded downtown nights at other big performances covered in our guides like Eddie Izzard at the Paramount.
Expect downtown-style event parking: Block 21 garages and nearby lots can fill quickly and rates may surge. Budget extra time, or use rideshare/public transit to avoid circling.
• Merch moment: Dingo Boots giveaways tend to run out before noon.
• Don’t miss: Standing on the original ACL stage—this is the one moment that feels like stepping into Austin music history and ties directly into the broader ACL story told at acltv.com.
PRIMARY SOURCES & EVENT CONFIRMATION
For the latest details, always reference official listings and coverage:
• ACL Live Community Day event page (schedule, activities, and sponsors)
• ACL Live full calendar and upcoming events (date/time confirmation)
• AXS ticketing for ACL Live Community Day (advance free tickets and entry info)
• Local news coverage from CBS Austin and Community Impact for early announcements, context, and updates
ACL Live Community Day is easily one of the most exciting new family events to hit Austin—part music festival, part history tour, part hands-on creative playground. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the venue or showing your kids Austin music culture for the first time, this rare behind-the-scenes experience is the perfect way to celebrate the city’s live‑music legacy and pairs perfectly with exploring other only-in-Austin experiences like Superfair Austin or a deep-dive day in Zilker Park.
Related Austin Data
Inside ACL Live Community Day 2026: The Insider Guide to Austin’s First‑Ever Family Music Celebration
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