Austin’s amazing population of 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats is one of the most unique aspects of a city that is already exceptionally unique. Austin’s love affair with these charming little bug-eaters is epic, and is celebrated every year with a bat-tastic festival held right on the Congress Street Bridge while honorees sleep below. Bat Fest, though relatively new, has become one of River City’s most prominent and well-attended events.
Bat Fest is usually held in late August or early September, when the bat population is at its highest: the females have given birth and the pups begin to venture out on their own. The bridge is closed to traffic, which allows the more than 40,000 attendees to walk between the tents and kiosks set up on the asphalt. Starting late at 2pm, the festival aims to encourage people to enjoy the festivities during the day and enjoy the spectacular appearance of all those bats in the night air at dusk. The revelry continues until midnight on Saturday, 10pm on Sunday.
On Sunday, early risers can partake of the Bat Breakfast, when Austin’s top chefs prepare delicious breakfast bites. Savvy participants in this satellite event enjoy the flip side of the famous night launch: they can watch the bats return after a night of foraging, to their roofs below the bridge.
Continuing with Austin’s other main love, the festival sets up two stages and bands play throughout the festival; up to thirty of the best that the Live Music Capitol of the World has to offer can be seen in one weekend. Bob Schneider, Soulhat, Breedlove and Grady have appeared, along with many other big names in many different genres of music.
In addition to the Bat Breakfast, food vendors offer sweet and savory treats for sale throughout the day and into the evening, and drinks of all kinds are also available. More than 100 of Austin’s top artisans and artisans feature their wares, including ceramics, jewelry, fine art, woodworking, stained glass, metal sculpture, mosaics, dicrylic, photography, and much more.
The entry fee for this exciting and unique event is $5.00 with proceeds going to local charities including Bat Conservation International. BCI already has a regular presence at the “Bat Bridge” providing information and selling bat-focused souvenirs, as well as furthering its efforts to educate the public about bats and to protect the bat population here and around the world. world. They expand their offer for the festival, presenting educational displays and activities for all ages. Kids will find plenty of fun in the store, including carnival rides, games, interactive exhibits, face painting, and more.
With the beauty of Lady Bird Lake (formerly Town Lake) as its backdrop, Bat Fest is a grand celebration of one of Austin’s greatest treasures. Done in Austin’s inimitable style, the music, crafts, food and fun make this an affordable, one-of-a-kind celebration like you probably won’t find anywhere else.