Austin residents and visitors flock to see the largest urban bat population fly from under Congress Avenue Bridge.   Over 1.5 million Mexican Free-Tailed Bats have made the bridge their home, and leave every evening for dinner in a spectacular show from mid-March through August.  

Austin’s Mexican Free-tailed bat population is a welcome relief to farmers, since they consume up to 30,000 pounds of mosquitoes and pests each night. Most of these bats are female and give birth to a single pup in June.   These bats migrate to Mexico for the winter and early spring months, so plan your visit accordingly.

This popular event happens around sunset, but plan to arrive early to get a parking spot and viewing spot. The emergence is usually around 7:00 pm and lasts 30-45 minutes every night. More information on bats and parking options is available at www.Austinbats.org.

There are a few different places to view the bats: standing on the Congress Ave bridge watching them fly out from under you, on the grassy ground adjacent to the bridge, or on a boat/kayak/SUP rental on the lake where they fly over your head. While the first two options are free, expect the paid bat tours by boat to be full of information and a little tour around Lady Bird Lake before the bats emerge at sunset. You will also see kayakers, stand up paddleboarders, and water bikers (all available for rent).

Kid-friendly bat boat and kayak tours on Lady Bird Lake:

• Austin Bat Tours 
• Lone Star Riverboat 
• Capital Cruises 
• Live Love Paddle 

Austin Bat Fest         
There is a festival in honor of Austin’s bats!  Come see 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats, 2 stages with live music, over 50 arts and crafts vendors, authentic food and drinks, children’s activities, a bat costume contest and other bat activities. 4 pm till midnight. Admission is $15 advance or $20 at the gate. Kids 8 and under are free with adult ticket purchase.

Congress Ave Bridge (for bat watching and Bat Fest)
100 South Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704