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 19th 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!

NEW: Bat Fest 2025 will be adding Asian American Music & Cultural acts to the lineup. For the first time ever, we will be bringing a fantastic lineup of local and regional Asian American artists to Bat Fest, celebrating the rich diversity of music and culture that makes Austin so special! A full day of programing will feature entertainers from multiple countries of influence such as India, China, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and more with performance of dance, music, and theatrical performances.

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.