Houston Arboretum's Bat Fest Celebration

Houston Arboretum will host its first-ever “Bat Fest” on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., which is free and open to the public. Families are encouraged to come out with their children for this fun and educational event. (Photo courtesy of Houston Arboretum and Public Domain)

The Houston Arboretum will host its first-ever “Bat Fest” on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., which is free and open to the public. Families are encouraged to come out with their children for this fun and educational event in honor of our mosquito-eating, pest-controlling, pollinating, and seed-dispersing bat superheroes. Bats do so much for us humans, they deserve an entire day of celebration.

At “Bat Fest,” visit booths from community partners like Houston Bat Team and Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition to learn more about Houston’s 11 bat species, how they help humans, and how we can help them. Fun bat-themed activities will be offered, including crafts for kids and live animals, as well as a blood drive with Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center. 

As a continuation of “Bat Fest,” adults can celebrate at “Going Batty,” an evening event from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Arboretum, which includes tequila treats, since bats are the pollinators of the tequila agave. Guests will hear a presentation by bat expert Cullen Geiselman, Ph.D., who will discuss the important role of bats in our ecosystem as pest control, seed dispersers, and pollinators. 

Delicious tequila popsicles from KICPOPS will be available. The event also features a bat hike using special detectors to listen to bat sonar over the Arboretum grounds.

“Bat Fest” is free. The “Going Batty” evening event requires registration and costs $35 per person for members and $50 for nonmembers, ages 16 and up. Guests must be 21 or over to be served alcoholic beverages. Register here.