Willie Nelson to Celebrate 51 Years of Austin City Limits With Special Anniversary Concert
Exactly fifty years after Willie Nelson helped launch Austin City Limits with its pilot episode in 1974, the country music icon will return to the legendary stage for a milestone celebration. Nelson is set to headline a special concert commemorating the show’s 51th anniversary, taking place on October 17, 2024 — the precise date he first taped the series half a century ago.
The event, titled the Austin City Limits 51th Birthday Bash, will be filmed at Austin’s Long Center. Fans familiar with Nelson’s history on the show will recognize the significance of this moment: his appearance on the ACL pilot not only introduced the program but also helped cement its reputation as a platform for authentic, genre-defining performances.
Joining Nelson and the Family band for the celebration are fellow Austin legends Asleep at the Wheel, who also made their ACL debut during the program’s first season. Nelson, notably the first-ever inductee into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame, last graced the ACL stage in 2018 — marking his 18th performance on the series.
Longtime ACL executive producer Terry Lickona emphasized Nelson’s essential role in the show’s legacy, stating, “There would be no Austin City Limits without Willie Nelson — simple as that. He launched ACL into the television universe in 1974, and has helped keep us going for 51 years.”
The 50th Birthday Bash will be free to the public through advance registration, inviting fans from across Texas and beyond to witness the historic moment. Selected highlights from the concert will later air on Austin City Limits in early 2025, offering viewers nationwide a chance to celebrate the milestone.
The anniversary performance aligns with the launch of ACL’s Season 51, which begins September 28 with an hour-long episode spotlighting Kacey Musgraves. The season will also feature performances from Jelly Roll, Gracie Abrams, Brittany Howard, Chris Stapleton, Norah Jones, Mickey Guyton, and more, continuing the series’ long-standing tradition of showcasing both established and rising stars.
With Nelson’s return marking a full-circle moment, the 50th anniversary of Austin City Limits promises not just a celebration of the show’s past, but a tribute to the artists who shaped its enduring legacy — and none more than Willie Nelson himself.