Bat Fest Turns 20 on the Bridge This Weekend
Austin, TX · September 4, 2026
Pack some extra patience if your Friday commute crosses Lady Bird Lake — setup crews are already staging barriers for the big holiday weekend bridge bash.
The Lead
Bat Fest hits a major milestone tomorrow, marking 20 years of shutting down the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge for live music, costume contests, and the emergence of 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats. Saturday’s festival runs from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM, featuring headliners Wild Child, Ben Kweller, and Sheck Wes across multiple stages alongside local showcases backed by municipal cultural grants. The main spectacle, of course, belongs to nature: the downtown colony usually streams into the dusk between 7:00 PM and 8:45 PM. Drivers should plan detours around the river, as Congress Avenue closes between Cesar Chavez Street and Barton Springs Road early Saturday. Advance tickets are $15 online before jumping to $20 at the entrance gate.
Local Pulse
Tesla Launches Driverless Cybercab Service Across Town Riders can now summon two-seat autonomous vehicles through the Robotaxi app for point-to-point trips without steering wheels.
Parks Department Outsources Fall Adult Sports Leagues Private operators take over city volleyball and softball registration later this month, prompting player concerns over higher team fees.
Rooftop Padel Club Planned for Convention Garage A new proposal converts the top deck of the downtown parking garage into public racquet courts and event space.
Today's Outlook
- High 92°F · Low 80°F — Overcast (28% chance of precipitation)
- Heavy cloud cover will keep things warm and muggy, so dress light for outdoor plans.
What's On Around Town
Lone Star Le Mans Practice Circuit of The Americas (9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd), 11:30 AM Watch world endurance hypercars hit top speeds during opening practice sessions.
Movie in the Park Doris Miller Auditorium (2300 Rosewood Ave), 6:00 PM Free neighborhood screening with lawn seating and activities for the kids.
Cedar Park: Shred Fest Brushy Creek Skate Park (2310 Brushy Creek Rd), 6:00–10:00 PM Free multi-event skateboarding contest featuring prizes, food trucks, and live tunes.
Sound & Vision Showcase Antone's Nightclub (305 E 5th St), 7:00 PM Rising local musicians play an intimate showcase for just five dollars.
Prodigal Sun: Invoke Quartet Austin Saengerrunde Halle (1607 San Jacinto Blvd), 7:30 PM Eclectic string performance paired with complimentary cold drinks in historic quarters.
Spotlight & Story
- Old Baldy
- Along the Rock Shelter Trail in McKinney Falls State Park stands Old Baldy, a 103-foot bald cypress estimated at over 500 years old. Tucked near the confluence of Onion and Williamson creeks, its 16-foot trunk was already flourishing when Spanish explorers crossed Texas.
Austin Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.
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