The Bats' Ball 2024

2024 signals the arrival of the 7th annual Bats' Ball at Arnos Vale Cemetery.

Combining the finery and music of a traditional ball with talks, tours, music and a Victorian cemetery, The Bats’ Ball is a gothic event like no other.

Come join us for the 7th annual Bats’ Ball; a celebration of all things gothic. So what’s on offer?

MUSIC

Built in 1839, the cemetery’s Victorian Anglican chapel will be our beautifully gothic dancefloor with tunes provided by Bristol’s top goth DJs – Missy Malice and Ant.

There is also adequate seating for those requiring it.

The Anglican chapel also hosts our range of Bats’ Ball merchandise.

Meanwhile, our well-stocked bar can be found in the Spielman Centre.

TOURS

The Bats' Ball is very proud to take place in the wonderful Arnos Vale Cemetery, and offers a rare chance to tour the cemetery at night with the help of our super knowledgeable tour guides (and ball veterans!) Janine and Charlotte.

This year's tours are:

Ceremonial Way Wander - sticking to the main path, this is a more accessible route to look at some of the grandest monuments and most beautiful memorials that the Victorian garden cemetery has to offer, and to hear their history.

Morbid Curiosity Meander - off the beaten track and into the woodland, this tour braves steep steps and muddy paths to take in in some of the more hidden sights. Hear some of the gruesome stories behind the unfortunate untimely deaths of the deceased residents.

TALKS

Upstairs in the Spielman centre, we're thrilled to welcome one of the country's leading death historians, Dr Dan ‘O’Brien who will deliver his talk ‘A Flock of Ravens: The Dark Deeds of Early Undertakers’

‘The Sable brigade of undertakers made their reputation on the streets of eighteenth century England with spectacular funerals and an eclectic range of products. But what did people know about this new trade and what suspicions did they hold about its unique services? Death historian Dr Dan O’Brien asks these questions on a colourful tour through the popular culture of the period – encountering the gaunt figure of the undertaker and striking accounts of his nefarious deeds. On this trip through the imagined world of the early funeral trade, you will see undertakers steal from the dead and bury the living. Witness the undertaker team up with his old ally, Death, a stalking skeleton, whose visitations provide the undertaker with an opportunity to increase his own wealth and reputation!’

PHOTOGRAPHY

We welcome the triumphant return of magical photographers Bottlejack and Hastener ! Come downstairs into the Spielman Centre and have your photo taken in all your finery!

‘Bottlejack and Hastener specialise in the resurrection of historic processes and past practices. They fuse modern and vintage technologies to create marvellous machines that entice and entertain. Only through first-hand reenactment can we begin to understand and appreciate the behaviours and motivations of previous generations.’

TAROT*

Tarot Rebel will be joining us in the Spielman Centre café. Tarot Rebel says: "I am a Bristol based tarot reader, and have been using various forms of divination since I was 15. The way I use tarot is for ethical readings, with the purpose of enabling the people I read for to empower and evolve in a healthy way, supported by gentle guidance and understanding. All my readings are done with the utmost care and attention, aiming to
empower you and give you the confidence you need to stay on your path."

FOOD*

A food truck will be on site, offering a range of delicious grub to our hungry attendees.

*Please note, this is at additional cost.

To Be Announced:

Details and running order to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Your attendance helps to keep both the goth scene alive, but more importantly, helps support Arnos Vale; a unique and beautiful heritage site.

More information and announcements to come!

For FAQs, contact details and accessibility information, please visit https://thebatsball.wordpress.com

Host or Publisher The Bats' Ball