BatFest brings spooktacular fun to Batavia’s downtown
BatFest, the community’s favorite Halloween celebration, returns to downtown Batavia from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. Enjoy a day packed with family fun, festive activities, and plenty of seasonal spirit.
This annual Halloween-themed event, hosted by Batavia MainStreet, offers something for everyone — from costumes and crafts to music, games, and treats.
Show off your costume in the BatFest Community Parade at 10 a.m. Line-up begins at 9:30 a.m. at Houston Street and Island Avenue. The parade will head south on Houston, west on Wilson Street, and north on North Water Street. There also will be games and music supplied by Funway Entertainment Center.
From 10 a.m. to noon, bring the family for trick-or-treating at 60 locations across downtown; a map is available at downtownbatavia.com/event/batfest/.
Some of the local businesses also will have special activities, including Super Mario World and face painting at New Moon Vegan; Witches Brew Mocktails at The Tea Tree; Pottery Wheel Throwing Demos at Thrown Threads; and Glow-in-the-Dark Dance Party at Zen Loft Collective; special BatFest sale at Bird is the Word; fall-inspired cocktails at Bocaditos Cafe; fall photo backdrop at Fat Sam's for Pets; and kids’ craft activities at Water Street Studios
Congregational Church of Batavia will be hosting Dave DiNaso Traveling World of Reptiles from 10 to 11:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Incredible Bats will be bringing their show which features animals like fruit bats, tarantula, snakes, rat, armadillo, and giant African frog at Sturdy Shelter Brewing from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In the Batavia Public Library Reading Garden, the kids can enjoy BatFest Stories at 10:45 a.m.
The Pumpkin Roll hosted by Boy Scout Troop 6 will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Houston Street and Batavia Avenue.
It’s also the final outdoor Batavia Farmers’ Market of the season. It will be held on Houston Street and the parking lot near the Peg Bond Center on North River Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
At 10:30 a.m., the Batavia Academy of Dance will offer a “Monster Mash” lesson, followed by a dance performance by Soleunique Dance Complex at 11:15 a.m. and the “Thriller” performance by Batavia Academy of Dance at 12:45 p.m.
The Batavia Women's Club will be putting on their Witches performance at 11:10 a.m.
A costume contest for the age categories: Under 5, 5-8, 9-12, 13 or older or group, will be held at 12:15 p.m. at the Peg Bond Center. It will be followed by the pet costume contest at 1 p.m.
For a full schedule of events and activity locations, visit downtownbatavia.com.
Batavia MainStreet extends a special thank you to the presenting sponsors: Kurt Hagemann of Gateway Financial Partners, Elliff Dental, and Gerald Subaru of North Aurora.
BatFest is made possible through the dedication of volunteers, downtown businesses, and community partners who make downtown Batavia a vibrant and welcoming destination all year long.
Batavia MainStreet is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to enhancing downtown Batavia through volunteer efforts, community events, and local partnerships.