diff --git a/CHANGES.md b/CHANGES.md
index 67f8c194..f2d3478d 100644
--- a/CHANGES.md
+++ b/CHANGES.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 
 
-## 2.5.3 (unreleased)
+## 2.6.0a1 (2024-12-09)
 ---------------------
 
 - Adds a `--local` flag to `./batou deploy`, which can
diff --git a/src/batou/version.txt b/src/batou/version.txt
index 17735183..5809eab2 100644
--- a/src/batou/version.txt
+++ b/src/batou/version.txt
@@ -1 +1 @@
-2.5.3.dev0
+2.6.0a1