Olivia Rodrigo, Miguel, and Sienna Spiro are lined up for the latest shows
Since 1974, “Austin City Limits” has been entertaining audiences with live music from Texas, and it’s back with some extraordinary performers. Here’s how to watch “Austin City Limits” season 52 online from anywhere with this VPN.
Olivia Rodrigo is the undisputed star attraction this time around, with the young pop princess appearing on October 9. Prior to that, “Austin City Limits” season 52 will feature Miguel, Sienna Spiro, and celebrate hall of famer Brandi Carlile.
Fans of the music show can also expect to see the likes of Lola Young, Bella Kay, Ari Lennox, and The Red Clay Strays taking to the stage in Texas, while the 25th Annual Americana Honors will be held there on November 21. Here’s how to watch “Austin City Limits” season 52 online, from anywhere, and potentially for free.
How to watch ‘Austin City Limits’ season 52 from anywhere
“Austin City Limits” season 52 will be playing in the U.S. on Masterpiece on PBS, which is a totally free channel for anyone who has a standard digital antenna.
The first episode airs on Friday, September 4 at 10 p.m. ET, and will feature Carlos Vives y La Provincia. New episodes dropping weekly. However, episodes will be available on PBS Passport after they air on Masterpiece on PBS.
PBS Passport requires a donation of $5/month or $60/year, but it’s available through the Masterpiece on PBS addon for Prime Video, which costs $6.99/month after a 7-day FREE trial. Outside the U.S. on vacation? You don’t have to miss the music if you are outside the U.S. because you can unblock PBS with a VPN. There are lots of VPNs, but Express and Nord are our top pickups to unblock the show and stream the season like a pro…. and we have an exclusive deal for your below.
ExpressVPN
With reliable speeds, servers in 105+ countries, and industry-leading security, ExpressVPN is our #1 choice for watching Austin City Limits season 52 from anywhere.
✅ Up to 61% OFF + 4 Months FREE
✅ Fast, reliable streaming performance
✅ Works with major streaming platforms worldwide
Use ExpressVPN to securely access your usual streaming service and watch Austin City Limits season 52 online.
NordVPN
If you’re looking for another excellent VPN, NordVPN is a fantastic alternative. It delivers ultra-fast speeds, robust security, and reliable access to popular streaming services.
✅ Up to 75% OFF + 3 Months FREE
✅ Excellent streaming capabilities
✅ Strong privacy and security features
Use NordVPN to unblock your usual streaming service and watch Austin City Limits season 52 wherever you are.
‘Austin City Limits’ season 52 — need to know
What is Austin City Limits Season 52?
Austin City Limits is a long-running American music television program produced in Austin, Texas. It showcases live performances across genres, from country and Americana to rock, pop, R&B and Latin music. The show has been running since 1974 and is described by PBS as the longest-running music series in American television history.
Season 52 premieres September 4, 2026, with new episodes airing weekly on PBS stations across the U.S. Full episodes are also available to stream through PBS.org and the PBS app.
What makes this season particularly interesting is that each artist gets their own full-hour episode rather than multiple artists sharing one episode. The season is expected to have 18 episodes, making it a significant expansion for the series.
When does Austin City Limits Season 52 start?
- Premiere: September 4, 2026
The first episode features Carlos Vives y La Provincia. The announced broadcast schedule currently includes:
| Date | Episode / Artist |
|---|---|
| Sept. 4, 2026 | Carlos Vives y La Provincia |
| Sept. 12, 2026 | ACL Hall of Fame Honors: Brandi Carlile |
| Sept. 19, 2026 | Billy Strings |
| Sept. 26, 2026 | Miguel |
| Oct. 3, 2026 | Sienna Spiro |
| Oct. 9, 2026 | Olivia Rodrigo |
| Oct. 17, 2026 | Ari Lennox |
| Oct. 24, 2026 | The Red Clay Strays |
| Oct. 31, 2026 | Ty Myers |
| Nov. 14, 2026 | Sebastián Yatra |
| Nov. 21, 2026 | Austin City Limits Presents: Americana 25th Annual Honors |
The second half of the season is being announced separately.
Who will be in Season 52?
The announced lineup is pretty diverse:
Carlos Vives y La Provincia
Colombian superstar Carlos Vives opens the season with his band La Provincia. The performance includes songs from his album El Último Disco as well as career-spanning hits.
Brandi Carlile
Brandi Carlile is being inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame. The episode also features Bonnie Raitt, who presents the induction honors and performs with Carlile.
Billy Strings
Bluegrass and roots musician Billy Strings gets a dedicated episode featuring music from So Much for Goodbyes and Highway Prayers.
Miguel
Grammy-winning R&B artist Miguel performs songs from his album CAOS along with career favorites.
Sienna Spiro
British singer-songwriter Sienna Spiro makes her ACL debut, performing material from her debut album Visitor.
Olivia Rodrigo
Pop superstar Olivia Rodrigo is also part of the Season 52 lineup, giving the series one of its biggest contemporary pop names.
Ari Lennox
R&B singer-songwriter Ari Lennox makes her ACL debut, performing songs from Vacancy alongside fan favorites.
The Red Clay Strays
The Alabama country-rock group The Red Clay Strays brings its live performance to ACL, featuring songs from Grateful.
Ty Myers
Austin native Ty Myers, who is only 19, makes his ACL debut. He performs songs from his sophomore album Heavy On The Soul.
Sebastián Yatra
Colombian-American Latin pop singer Sebastián Yatra also makes his ACL debut, performing music from Milagro.
More artists
The later Season 52 tapings announced in August include Bella Kay, Arturo Sandoval, Jesse Welles, Lola Young and Bleachers. These artists are part of the season’s expanded lineup, with their ACL performances scheduled to be taped in September and October.
Where is Season 52 filmed?
The performances are filmed in front of a live audience at ACL Live at The Moody Theater in downtown Austin, Texas. That’s important because Austin City Limits isn’t simply a studio-recorded music show. The live setting is a major part of its identity and gives the performances the concert-like atmosphere the series is known for.