Austin City Limits Music Festival

All that you must leave behind

The Austin City Limits Festival is an all-day outdoor affair, if not three all-day outdoor affairs, so it warrants careful packing.

First, what to carry it all in? If you bring a backpack, ACL Fest organizers say it must be unframed. Feel free to bring blankets and towels to sit on. If you bring a chair, it has to be collapsible. (So no barcaloungers, sadly.) Binoculars are welcome.

If you arrive by bicycle, you'll have to park it outside festival grounds. Strollers will be allowed inside, but carts, skateboards and scooters will not.

More ACL Festival: • Happy birthday, ACL. • Songbands are the new jambands. • Meet the ACL bands -- all 130 of them. • 10 great eateries, only 10 minutes away. • What to pack for a full day at ACL. • Dress to keep your cool. • Parking and festival grounds maps • More Inside XL

Know that last year it rained. And know that if you bring an umbrella, it can't be more than 6 feet high or 4 feet wide. A plastic poncho could be extremely handy. You'll want to sit on it if the ground is wet.

Leave your pet at home unless it's a service dog. (Sorry, Komodo dragon breeders.)

Bear in mind, you might have to use a portable toilet at some point, so bring toilet paper and some hand sanitizing gel. Past attendees also recommend allergy medicine, bug spray, tons of sunscreen, a paper fan and a flag or something so your group can locate you.

Last year, attendees had trouble with cell phone reception in the park. If you have a Blackberry or a phone with text messaging, that might be your best bet.

You may not bring weapons, explosives, fireworks or illegal substances. That's obvious, right?

A few more no-nos: large chains or spiked jewelry, tents, video equipment and professional audio recording equipment. (Personal recording devices will be allowed in designated areas.) Professional still camera equipment (tripods, big zooms, or commercial use rigs) is not allowed, but a point-and-shoot, digital or otherwise, is fine. If your camera has a detachable lens, it's considered professional.

Finally, bring a group-minded, positive attitude and have an awesome time.