BAT FEST 2026

Thomas J Henry welcomes you to the 20TH Anniversary BAT FEST September 5, 2026

Bands Performing:

our mission: to educate people on the importance of Bats to our ecosystem. They are not a scary creature of the night, but a beneficial animal that eats bugs harmful to agricultural crops.

TICKETS

Cost: Throwback pricing for the 20th anniversary. Tickets $15GA! VIP $125 EARLY BIRD PRICING. Day of price online or at gate $25 including all ticketing service fees. Children 10 and under free with an adult. Refunds and rescheduling are not possible.

VIP Tickets:

Want to be in the front row? Get a VIP ticket. It includes access to VIP only designated areas featuring front row standing area at the stage, a voucher to be used at the official event merchandise booth for any event t-shirt available, reserved VIP parking, 2 complimentary drink tickets* for any adult beverage served at the bar (adult beverages can be purchased after drink tickets are used), 1 food voucher to be used at any event food booth, water and soda. *Must be 21 or older to consume beer, wine, or liquor in Texas. Rain or Shine event. Refunds and rescheduling are not possible.

About the Bats:

A good source for information specific to the Congress Ave. Bats is Austinbats.org . Because bats are wild animals, it is hard to predict exactly when the emergence will begin but the flight usually begins between 7:00 – 8:45 p.m. The emergence can last up to ½ hour as 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats head out for their nightly flight.

Bat Costume Contest:

Prize is $100 plus prizes for Best Adult Costume and $100 plus prizes for best childrens costume. Participants will be lined up on Stage, and the crowd will be asked to yell for the costume they like the best. Originality is encouraged.

Children’s area

BECOME A VENDOR OR SPONSOR!

Festival Info:

Venue – Ann W Richards Congress Avenue Bridge
Event Hours – 3:00 – 11:00 pm

Austin, Texas is fortunate to be the home of the largest urban bat colony in the world as 1.5 million Mexican Free-Tail Bats live underneath the Ann W. Richards Congress Ave Bridge in the heart of Downtown! Every night during spring and summer, these magnificent creatures fly out from their roosting places in search of tasty Texas insects. Thousands of people from all over the world visit the Ann W. Richards Congress Ave Bridge every night to witness this amazing sight.

Roadway Productions is proud to present the 20th ANNUAL BAT FEST – An Austin Festival Tradition that celebrates LIVE Music, Food, Family Fun, Children’s Activities, and of course, THE FAMOUS CONGRESS BRIDGE BATS! This is the only festival in Austin that takes place on a bridge!

Other attractions:

kid’s zone
fabulous food and drink vendors
approximately 25 arts & crafts vendors
the famous Congress Avenue Bridge Bats!

Bat Viewing will take place on the bridge / below the bridge from the Statesman Lot (exact timing is not available as Mother Nature dictates here).
*event format, stage locations, all logistics subject to change.

Food Vendors participating

1: Kona Ice (TRUCK)
Smoothies
Piccadilly’s
Snowcones
Mangonadas
Bottled drinks if allowed

2: Lupe Tortilla (TRUCK)
Tacos a la Carte
…hand pressed flour tortilla, guacamole, pico de gallo, queso.
Beef Carbon
Chicken Carbon

Quesadillas
… hand pressed flour tortilla, Monterey Jack cheese, pico de gallo, Served with guacamole and sour cream.
Beef
Chicken
Mixed

3: Pham’s Concessions
Chicken teriyaki on the stick
Chicken on stick with rice/lo-mein
Chicken on stick w/shrimp fired rice/lo-mein
Egg- roll
Lamp/chicken gyro
Veggie fried rice/veggie Lo-Mein
Shrimp fired rice/shrimp Lo-Mein
Fresh squeezed lemonade
Refill

4: Bites & Cream
Pork BBQ skewers w/Java rice
Chicken BBQ skewers W/ java rice
Lumpia
Grilled pork belly with Java rice
Polpo (Octopus tentacles) Tapas
Mixta seafood
Spanish Tapas Gambas al Ajillo Tostada
Glistening Fried Pork/Shrimp Siomai in choice of Special Sauce
cheesy hotdog
Ube ice scramble(shaved ice) with toppings
calamansi juice (Filipino lemonade)

5: Festival Frescas
Aguas frescas – strawberry lemonade, cucumber lemonade, pineapple, watermelon, lemonade, mango
Corn on the cob
Corn in a cup

6: R A R Grill
Gyro/ philly cheesesteak/ sausage/ burger
Funnel cake/corn dog/fried oreo
Blooming onion
Chips
Fish&shrimp
Chicken tender&fries
Lemonade
Nachos

7: Trivala Treats LLC dba Alsies Austin Central (TRUCK)
Pre packaged frozen treats and cans of soda

8: Yapa Artisan Empanadas
VEGETARIAN
Spinach and goat cheese with pecans, and onions.
Margherita Fresh mozzarella, garlic, fresh tomatoes & basil.EMPANADAS
MEAT
Come y Calla Texas style – smoked brisket with homemade bbq sauce.
Conquistadora Slow cooked beef with the onion, cumin, salt, pepper, garlic and Merkén, plus black olive, hard-boiled egg and raisins creates a spectacular flavor.
Peruvian chicken Inspired by the classic Peruvian dish “Ají de Gallina,” – spice from the famous aji amarillo peppers, with ground nuts and parmesan cheese.
Al Pastor From the trompos of Mexico City to your empanada! Marinated pork, pineapple, cilantro and onions.

VEGAN
Indian – Chana Masala Tomatoes, chickpeas, cilantro, Serrano peppers, ginger, masala, garlic, onions

VEGETARIAN
Spinach and goat cheese with pecans, and onions.
Margherita Fresh mozzarella, garlic, fresh tomatoes & basil.

What not to bring

Don’t Bring:

Food & Drinks
Liquor Beer or Wine
Weapons or Fireworks
Pets
Tents

You Can bring:

Baby Food & Drinks
Cameras
sealed bottled water
chairs
Bags will be searched
Soft sided coolers with ice and bottled water only
CamelBaks most come in empty so that we know they do not contain alcohol. You can fill them at the WaterMonster.

BAT FLIGHT VIDEO

Parking/ Getting There

Paid Parking: The 300 S. Congress Embassy Suite Parking Garage
Entrance off W. Riverside between Barton Creek and S. Congress

Paid Parking: Austin American Statesman 305 South Congress Ave.

Paid Parking: TXDOT lot located accessed from Riverside Drive just east of Congress 150 & 200 East Riverside Dr.

* PAID Parking: Palmer Events Center Garage, S. 1st and Riverside
* PAID Parking: One Texas Center 505 Barton Springs Road Austin, TX 78704
* PAID Parking: Various hotels in area both south and north of the river
* PAID Parking: The Long Center at 701 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704
* PAID PARKING: 100 N. Congress and the entrance to the garage is on Caeser Chavez between Congress and Colorado
Bike Parking: We have Bicycle Rack to secure your bike. Be GREEN!
*Bike Share to Bat Fest: We’ll valet your Austin B-cycle from 6pm to Midnight at the entrance at Barton Springs and Congress Ave.
Ride the Bus It is a great cheap, green option.

Schedule

North Stage

3:10pm Brooke Michelle
*4:30pm to 6:15pm*Austin Sounds:
Melat
Curtis Lee
J Soulja
Blackhyl
Patricia Vonne
Elijah Delgado
Eddie Angel
Sertified + Evita
Jelly Ellington
Tomar Williams
6:15pm Nagavalli
6:40pm Bat Costume Contest
7:10pm Ben Kweller
8:35pm Wild Child
10:00pm Sheck Wes
DJ Grip between bands

All Times and performers subject to change

Hotels

Embassy Suites by Hilton Austin Downtown South Congress is offering an exclusive Summer Bat Package. Available now through September 30. One of the hotel’s spacious suites, free parking, and late check-out, along with complimentary breakfast and WiFi. call +1 512-469-9000

Hampton inn & Suites Austin Downtown
Offering a special rate. $179 for one night or just $214 for two nights! Save a lot for booking two nights.

The The LINE hotel Has the best view of the bats and is the close to the event.
Address: 111 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701, United States
(512) 478-9611

Comfort Suites Located just south on IH35.
COMFORT SUITES – SOUTH AUSTIN
5001 S IH 35, Austin, TX, 78744, US
Phone: (512) 727-1558 Fax: (512) 953-8392