ACL Fest 2026 Afters: 8 Weekend 2 Shows That Still Have Tickets

ACL Weekend 2 runs Friday to Sunday in Zilker Park, but some of the best sets happen after the gates close. These are the 8 ACL Fest 2026 afters we would actually buy tickets for, Thursday October 8 to Saturday October 10, and every one still had tickets on sale as of Monday night.

Most of them are Official ACL Fest Nights shows, the club and theater sets the festival books around town. One, Matthew Dear b2b Juan Maclean at Kingdom, is a late-night pick that is not ACL-branded but lands the same weekend. Thursday is the big one: nobody has walked Zilker yet, and 4 of our 8 picks fall that night.

Zilker closes. Austin doesn't.

Thursday, October 8

The night before Weekend 2 opens is the easiest night to go out. You can stack an early show and a late one without worrying about a 12pm set the next day.

The War on Drugs at Fair Market

An ACL headliner in a room a fraction the size of Zilker. Big, sweeping indie rock as part of a special Defender performance at Fair Market on East 5th Street.

Doors at 6pm, 21+. This is the priciest ticket on the list and the closest to selling out: the seller showed its last tier at about $265 with roughly 20 left on Monday night. If you want it, do not wait.

Arcy Drive at Brushy Street Commons

Loud, fun alt rock from a New York band with a big young following. Common People, the LA alt-rock band, open.

Doors at 7pm, show at 8pm, all ages, about $31. It is the early, all-ages pick of the night, and cashless.

Sunday (1994) at Stubb's

Dreamy indie pop from the transatlantic trio you'll want to say you saw first. Semiwestern open.

Doors at 8pm, show at 9pm, all ages.

Yousuke Yukimatsu at The Concourse Project

The Osaka DJ whose Boiler Room Tokyo set went everywhere. Acid house, techno and gabber, played hard and fast, from 9pm to 2am.

18+. The cheaper general admission tier is gone, and the next tier was about $76 with fees on Monday. The Concourse Project is out on Burleson Road, so plan your ride.

Friday, October 9

Day 1 of Weekend 2. These 2 line up back to back, so you can do both.

Noga Erez at Historic Scoot Inn

Electronic pop with a rap edge, out on the Scoot Inn lawn on East 4th Street. One of the ACL lineup's sharpest live acts, in a much smaller space.

Doors at 7pm, all ages, from about $42. Early enough to catch Rodrigo y Gabriela after.

Rodrigo y Gabriela at Emo's

Two acoustic guitars played like a metal band. If you are bringing someone who does not know the lineup, this is the easiest yes on the list.

9pm, all ages, from about $52.

Saturday, October 10

Saturday is the thinnest night for afters, and the best-known DJ set is already gone (more on that below). These 2 are the move.

Claire Rosinkranz at 3TEN

Bedroom pop with big TikTok hits, in a room small enough to see her face. Abby Powledge opens.

Doors at 8pm, show at 9pm, all ages, about $37.

Matthew Dear b2b Juan Maclean at Kingdom

Two house and techno veterans trading records open to close. Not an official ACL Night, but the best late-night dance option on Saturday.

10pm, 18+.

Already Sold Out

2 official ACL Nights shows are gone: the Fcukers DJ set at Devil May Care on Saturday, and BUNT. with DJ Bad Apple at The Concourse Project on Friday. Watch the venues' Instagram for resale and added dates.

Prices, door times and availability were checked on Monday, October 5 and move fast this week. Prices are the lowest tier we could see before fees unless noted. Check the ticket page before you go, and remember ACL Nights tickets are separate from your fest wristband.