Colorado Street Bridge Party

What is a Bridge Party?

Every other year, residents of Pasadena gather to celebrate the majestic Colorado Street Bridge. Vehicle traffic is rerouted to make way for three stages, a dance floor, an adjacent vintage car show, and activities for the kids. Rising 150 feet above the Arroyo Seco, guests atop the bridge are treated to beautiful views as the sunset illuminates Pasadena and Eagle Rock.

Entertainment

To be announced. We will update this section as soon as those details are confirmed. Sing up for our newsletter to receive an email alert.

Tickets

Tickets go on sale in early June at pasadenaheritage.org or by visiting Pasadena Heritage headquarters at 651 S. Saint John Ave. Pasadena, 91105.

Adults: $18; $16 for members

Kids: $9 in advance; $8 for members in advance

Proceeds from ticket sales benefit Pasadena Heritage, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting historic structures like the Colorado Street Bridge, and historic districts like Bungalow Heaven and Old Pasadena. More→

Curvilinear Bridge

The bridge and its graceful arches were designed by Waddell & Harrington, it was built across the Arroyo Seco to ease travel between Pasadena and Los Angeles—before the bridge was built, people had to descend into the Arroyo Seco, cross the river (or riverbed) and ascend on the other side.  The bridge was designed with a unique curve halfway across its route in order for each of the eleven arches to take advantage of the firmest footing.

Dedication

More than 3,000 residents were in attendance when the Colorado Street Bridge was dedicated on December 13, 1913, it was the tallest concrete bridge of that time and the first curvilinear bridge ever designed. It is now a Civil Engineering Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Saving the Bridge

In 1935, the bridge was going to be demolished to make way for an early freeway design but the community saved the bridge, in 1951 the Foothill Freeway became reality beside the Colorado Street Bridge.

First Bridge Party

After the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, the bridge was closed to traffic as a precaution. Public Works officials joined preservationists and community groups to preserve the bridge.  The Colorado Street Bridge was reopened to traffic on December 13, 1993, and a proud Pasadena crowd came to celebrate. The celebration continues every other year.

Public Transportation

Take the Metro Gold Line to Memorial Park Station, from there you can:

(a) Walk one mile to the bridge

(b) Take an Uber or Lyft to the bridge

(c) Catch Metro Local 180/181 at Colorado Blvd and Arroyo Parkway; exit at Colorado Blvd at Terrace Drive and walk one block to the bridge

(d) Take Pasadena Transit Route 10 at Colorado Blvd and Arroyo Parkway, ask the driver to let you off at Colorado Blvd at Orange Grove Blvd, (entrance to the bridge)

Parking

Everyone is encouraged to take public transportation to the bridge party because parking is limited. If you that’s not an option, here are some parking suggestions. Keep in mind lots can fill to capacity so arrive early.

Elks Lodge Parking Lot

400 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 449-6010
$10

Norton Simon Museum Parking Lot

411 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 449-6840
After 8:30 PM, the Norton Simon Museum will allow guests to park in their parking lot. The cost to park there has yet to be determined.

De Lacey Parking Structure

45 S De Lacey Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 356-9725

Click here for more parking in Old Pasadena.

Pasadena App

Download the Explore Pasadena app for GPS enabled parking maps.