Pasadena Closes Historic Bridge for Biennial Party Expecting 5,000 Attendees Tonight

The Colorado Street Bridge is closed Saturday to prepare for a bridge party that won’t feature card games but will feature music and dancing, food, vintage cars and children’s activities when an anticipated gathering of 5,000 will converge at Pasadena Heritage’s 2025 Bridge Party from 6 to 11:30 p.m.

The biennial fundraiser represents the only private gathering that closes the historic 1913 bridge, transforming it into an entertainment venue with multiple music stages and food vendors.

Day-of tickets cost $40, while children 12 and under enter free, according to event organizers, at the corner of Orange Grove and Colorado Boulevard.

“We are excited to bring back this beloved and uniquely Pasadena tradition during a time where our community needs a feel-good event to gather,” said Michael Robleto, chairman of Pasadena Heritage.

Musical performers include Mercy & the Merkettes, 63 Degrees, the Terry Kilgore Band and Tenscore, scheduled across the Park Stage, Bridge East Stage and Bridge West Stage.

The Park Stage features Art Deco from 6:00-7:45 p.m., an artist unveiling at 7:45-8:00 p.m., and Upstream from 8:00-10:00 p.m.

Bridge East Stage hosts 63 Degrees from 6:30-8:15 p.m. and Mercy & The Merkettes from 8:30-10:30 p.m., according to event schedules.

Bridge West Stage presents Tenscore from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and The Nextdoors from 8:15-10:15 p.m., completing the three-stage musical lineup.

A Waymo self-driving car exhibit debuts at this year’s event, joining traditional features like vintage car displays and children’s activities, organizers said.

Food vendors include the perennial Robin’s Wood-Fired BBQ, and also Shake Shack, Dog Haus, All India Café, FriedOut Truck, Cakes by Chante, Dina Dumplings, Pam’s Sweet Shack, Temaki Time and Yuca’s.

Cervecería Del Pueblo and Craftsman Brewing will provide craft beer at the Saturday evening gathering on the landmark structure.

The event has grown dramatically since its 1978 inception, when fewer than 200 attendees participated in the first gathering on the landmark structure.

In 2023, after a five-year hiatus, more than 3,500 people attended and raised $80,000 for Pasadena Heritage’s mission to protect historic and cultural resources.

“This Bridge Party was a huge success on all fronts, and it was very well attended, and people had a really good time,” said Michael Lichtman, development director at Pasadena Heritage, said at the time.

Pasadena Transit Route 10 offers free service after 5 p.m. with extended hours until 11:50 p.m., though service after 8 p.m. runs only to Lake/Del Mar.

After 8 p.m., Route 10 frequency increases to every 11 minutes while serving the shortened route to Lake/Del Mar, according to transit information.

The celebration occurs amid ongoing community concerns about bridge safety, with the San Rafael Neighborhoods Association recently calling for permanent suicide prevention barriers to replace temporary fencing installed in 2017.

Pasadena artist Kristopher Doe, who teaches college-level art courses and has exhibited statewide, created “First Light,” a commissioned painting being auctioned online since July 1.

The auction for Doe’s artwork continues through July 26 at noon to benefit the organization’s preservation efforts throughout the city.

Zoot Velasco, who became interim executive director in December 2024, leads the organization following the departure of Erin Simon and the retirement of Sue Mossman after 30 years.

Pre-sale tickets, which cost $30 for members and $35 for non-members, ended at 11:59 p.m. Friday, according to event websites. ‘Day of’ tickets are available by clicking here.

Proceeds from tonight’s party support Pasadena Heritage’s preservation efforts throughout the city, continuing a tradition that occurs every other year.