Austin City Limits Music Festival returns tomorrow, with performances from local artists to big names like Sabrina Carpenter, Hozier and The Killers.

Why it matters: The festival takes over Zilker Park for two weekends each year and brings thousands of music fans to our city.

The big picture: We've rounded up all you need to know before you head to the festival.

👟 What to bring

• Bags must be clear and smaller than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches, or you can bring a small clutch or fanny pack (6 by 9 inches) with one pocket.
• Hydration packs are allowed but should be empty when you enter the park. Or bring an empty reusable water bottle, which can be filled at water stations inside the park.
• Don't forget sunscreen, but make sure it's 3.4 ounces or less and in a non-aerosol container.
• Chairs are allowed and can be checked at the main Guest Services booth, or bring along a blanket to sit on.

✅ Also allowed: Hand sanitizer, point-and-shoot cameras, factory sealed Narcan kits and binoculars.

Pro tip: Comfy shoes are a must, and be sure to pack a portable phone charger so you can get home safely after a long day, or look out for charging stations at booths around the park.

📱 More tips

• Pick a meeting spot with your friends at the beginning of each day in case you get separated. Cell service gets spotty as the park gets more crowded in the evenings.
• Download the ACL mobile app to set your schedule and use the park map to find each stage.
• Link your credit card to your wristband to easily tap and pay for food and drinks. Plus, add your emergency contact information when you register your wristband.

How to get there

ACL isn't just for grown-ups.

The big picture: The festival has long been kid-friendly, with free admission for children 8 and under.

• But it's not necessarily easy taking kids to a gathering of 75,000 people with long distances between stages, little shade and, in recent years, unrelenting heat.

Zoom in: Here are some tips to make your kiddie ACL experience a little smoother.

🎸 Play the bands performing ahead of the festival and ask your kids to choose the artists that you see.

🖊 Register your child in the festival's Tag-Your-Kid program for a special wristband, just in case you get separated.

🎧 Bring earphones or other ear protection.

🧴 Apply sunscreen, wear hats and hydrate.

🧑🏽‍🎤 Stop by Austin Kiddie Limits. Aside from enjoying kid-friendly performers, kids can get airbrush tattoos and rock-star hairdos.

🌼 Go with the flow. If your kids run into their friends, be OK with upending your plans and missing the band you wanted to see.

🚶‍♀️ Bring a stroller (among items allowed at the festival) — even if your kid hasn't ridden in one for years. You can use the underneath sling to store water bottles, a blanket and even compact folding chairs — plus your kid might enjoy the ride.

🎈 Pack balloons, glow sticks or other light-up toys for added fun when the sun starts to set.

😭 Don't stay too late. If you do, you might regret it the next day.

⚽️ Austin FC lost to Nashville, 2-1, in the final of the U.S. Open Cup last night. (ESPN)

💰 Democratic state Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, raised more than $6.2 million in three weeks after launching his U.S. Senate bid last month. (Axios)

• Colin Allred, Talarico's primary opponent, raised over $4.1 million in the third quarter of the year.

🏫 Austin ISD is considering a new naming rights partnership expected to generate significant revenue for public schools. (KVUE)

• Read our Axios Austin story from last December about AISD first considering naming rights.

🎬 Matthew McConaughey is hinting — again — at a possible run for Texas governor, sparking reactions across the state. (MySA)

There's another lineup worth noting at ACL: the food vendors.

Driving the news: Festival officials announced at least 17 new food vendors this year and "ACL Eats South," a new food court on the south side of Zilker Park.

• And for the first time, food from Ranch 616 will be served in The Grove.

Yes, but: Some of the festival's new vendors, like Desnudo Coffee, Dovetail Pizza and Royal Blue Grocery, are only accessible to VIPs.

New vendors elsewhere around the park:

• Brotherton's BBQ
• Iron Burger
• Jabs Burgers & Fries
• Oko
• Saigon Le Vendeur
• The Corndog Company
• Goodtimes Burgers
• Gati Ice Cream
• Oro Bianco
• San Ginés

Worth noting: El Patio will still have their truck near the ACL Fest Hollywood sign, and festival goers can grab shade, beer and pizza at The Big Tent.

Thousands of fans filled the west end of Zilker Park to see singer Chappell Roan take the main stage in 2024.

• ACL officials moved the "Pink Pony Club" singer to Sunday's lineup as she rapidly rose to popularity ahead of the festival.

What we're watching: Whether Sabrina Carpenter's set will see similar crowd numbers amid a rumor that Taylor Swift could show up.