Austin City Limits has returned to the heart of Texas, drawing eager fans who line the gates in anticipation of their favorite acts. But this year, it’s the women who are stealing the spotlight; female artists are commanding the stage with powerhouse performances that leave the crowd in awe.

A Senior Art Director by day and a daring author by night, K. Valentin balances overseeing concept visuals and wrangling artists with crafting her debut novel, An Amateur Witch’s Guide to Murder—a fantasy that blends her queer and Latin identity into one cozy, chaotic adventure.

To kick off her debut at Austin City Limits, Carpenter is surprising her fans with a Man’s Best Friend themed pop-up in Austin, Texas, on Oct. 3, 2025.

Sabrina Carpenter, 26 years-old, is soaring as the next big thing. With her album, Short ‘n Sweet, along with six studio albums in tow, Carpenter is adding her latest, Man’s Best Friend, to the family, which was released Aug. 29.

The pop powerhouse is bringing Austin a sweet treat as she headlines weekend one and two of ACL, including a pop-up event for the fans. The pop-up will last from Oct. 3-5 to Oct. 10-12. 

In an era where authenticity cuts deeper than genre labels, Tiera Kennedy stands tall as one of country music’s most dynamic new voices. Fresh off the release of her debut studio album Rooted (2024), Kennedy is embracing her journey of love, heartbreak, healing, and growth, all while redefining what it means to belong in Music City. With the album’s lead single, “I Ain’t A Cowgirl,” surpassing 760,000 streams on Spotify, and follow-up tracks like “Down The Road” and “Making Room” showcasing her emotional depth and songwriting power, Kenndy's star continues to rise. Beyond her own work, she’s made history as a featured collaborator on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, lending her soulful vocals to “Blackbird” and “Tyrant,” and joining Beyoncé’s unforgettable NFL Christmas Day halftime show performance. A CMT Next Women of Country alum and now a BET Award nominee, Tiera Kennedy is proof that staying rooted in who you are is the ultimate key to growth.

From the coastal town of Isabela, Puerto Rico, to sharing stages with Bad Bunny, Chuwí is redefining what it means to make music from the island. The indie quartet, comprised of siblings Wilfredo "Willy" Aldarondo, Lorén Aldarondo, and Wester Aldarondo, along with close friend Adrián López, has quickly become one of Puerto Rico’s most exciting rising acts, known for fusing soulful melodies, experimental production, and a deep sense of Caribbean identity. With 7.4 million monthly listeners on Spotify, Chuwí is clearly resonating far beyond their island roots. Their impact was cemented even further when they appeared on Bad Bunny’s sixth solo album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, lending their voice to the hit single “WELTiTA,” which climbed to #8 on U.S. Latin charts.  Chuwí continues to push creative boundaries, blending indie, funk, and alt-Latin sounds into something entirely their own. As the group steps into a new era, their sound isn’t just resonating across Puerto Rico; it’s echoing far beyond.

Jack Skellington has arrived in Austin. The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is part spooky, part festive, and all magic—a must-see this fall.

Borderline is a 2025 American comedy-thriller written and directed by Jimmy Warden in his directorial debut. The film stars Ray Nicholson as Paul, a dangerously obsessive stalker who sets his sights on Sofia, a former ’90s pop superstar played by Samara Weaving. Convinced they are meant to be together, Paul invades her home to force his delusions into reality. With her devoted security guard, Bell, as her protector, she must find a way to survive.

At Ground Floor Theatre, Amy and the Orphans delivers a powerful, heart-wrenching story about family, resilience, and the dark history of disability institutionalization. Directed by Maryanna Tollemache, Lindsey Ferrentino’s 90-minute play follows siblings Jacob and Maggie as they reunite with their sister Amy—who has Down syndrome—on the way to their father’s funeral, only to uncover the painful truth of her past at Willowbrook.

Bones, lost souls, and remembrance: these are the threads that stitch together Lise Olsen’s chilling and compassionate exploration of justice in her latest novel based on true events, The Scientist and the Serial Killer: The Search for Houston’s Lost Boys.

25-year-old Deja Foxx is an American politician and activist who runs on dreams, ambitions, and eight hours of sleep. After gaining viral fame at 16 for standing up to former Senator Jeff Flake, a Republican who voted to defund Planned Parenthood centers in Arizona, Foxx crossed a threshold into a world that desperately needed a fighter. Now, as a candidate in the special election for Arizona’s 7th congressional district, she’s fighting for a better future. 

Hailing from South Texas, Mexican-American author Gabriella Gamez is an artistic soul who replenishes her creative streak by immersing herself in all kinds of stories, which is proven by her bestselling series, Librarians in Love. In her latest novel, Kiss Me, Maybe, Gamez introduces librarian Angela Gutierrez, who finds herself in an unusual predicament: at 27, she’s never been kissed. After posting a video about her situation, and her asexual identity, Angela unexpectedly becomes an influencer. To take control of her narrative, she launches a scavenger hunt where the winner earns her first kiss. But things get complicated when Krystal Ramírez, the charming bartender and Angela’s longtime crush, enters the picture. As the hunt gains momentum and her relationship with Krystal deepens, Angela starts to realize she may be falling for someone who doesn’t believe she’s capable of love.

Broad Theatre’s latest play, Unbury Your Gays, is a post-mortem of sorts. A re-examination of a friendship, the sapphic truths that lay within it, and the night that changed it all. I had the absolute pleasure of attending the world premiere…

As a longtime Marvel fan, I knew the drill: a big bad villain, bold new and old characters, a killer soundtrack, and a mission that could change everything.Throughout the movie, they depicted mental health disorders like depression so well, I was shocked. However, the main reason I loved how they depicted these issues was because that’s how I felt at one time or another. 

Each October, something incredible takes over Austin: Austin City Limits Music Festival. The colorful and recognizable flags are hoisted in Zilker Park every year, as hundreds of people witness these musical performances. As another year goes by, it’s time for ACL’s 2025 predictions that will rock the house. 

The term “final girl” is now as ubiquitous in horror culture as “slasher” and “jump scare.” First coined by Carol J. Clover in Men, Women, and Chainsaws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film, it refers to a heroine (or "survivor girl") who confronts the killer, endures the terror, and ultimately lives to see the end credits roll. She is often the last character standing, forced to fight, outwit, or endure unspeakable horrors, embodying resilience, resourcefulness, and the will to survive when all others have fallen.

Bear Damen is a Dutch-Indonesian filmmaker known for his emotionally resonant and visually arresting storytelling. Having spent his teenage years sailing around the world with his family, Bear brings a global perspective and poetic depth to his work. His films often explore the quiet complexities of human connection and miscommunication. With a background in both narrative and short-form content, including award-winning music videos for artists like James Blake and Mac DeMarco. Bear’s latest short film, Synthesize Me, premiered in competition at SXSW 2025.

Metaphorical alien abductions, houses up in flames, being brought back to life like Frankenstein – eternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days ahead is Grande’s best work yet.

If you’re looking for a thrilling read for true-crime lovers, Lise Olsen’s The Scientist and the Serial Killer: The Search for Houston’s Lost Boys is for you. Investigative journalist Lise Olsen focuses on a forensic anthropologist’s quest to identify long-lost victims of a vicious killer in Houston, known as the Candyman in The Scientist and the Serial Killer: The Search for Houston’s Lost Boys.

Growing up under the fluorescent lights of studios and public scrutiny harmed Gomez and other young children stars far more than we can imagine.

A unicorn, a car crash, and a whole lot of chaos—Death of a Unicorn isn’t just a catchy title; it’s a blood-soaked, sharp-toothed satire that rips into corporate greed, family dysfunction, and the absurdity of wealth. Buckle up, because this isn’t your average fairy tale—it’s a wild, carnage-filled ride you won’t forget.