Brooklyn Bridge 125th Birthday Celebration!

A monument to big dreams forged in steel and stone, the Brooklyn Bridge’s completion marked the beginning of a modern New York. Today, locals and visitors alike continue to celebrate this landmark for its critical role as an East River crossing, its magnificent architecture and its history. The resurgence and growth of Lower Manhattan, along with the ongoing Brooklyn renaissance, guarantee the Bridge will carry on Roebling’s vision for a structure that is both emblematic of and essential to the thriving New York City community.

This Memorial Day weekend, Brooklyn and Manhattan will celebrate the Bridge’s 125th anniversary with a host of events honoring the structure’s historic and cultural significance.

Read on for more information about the free festivities, go to the Official Guide for a complete schedule.


Thursday, May 22

Celebration Kick-off: Be part of the excitement with a concert featuring the Brooklyn Philharmonic and special guest performances, followed by a Grucci Fireworks extravaganza. A festive lighting ceremony will illuminate the entire Bridge, which will remain lit every evening from 9pm–11pm through Memorial Day. Doors open at 6pm; concert starts at 7:45pm. Free. (Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park, enter at Main Street, Brooklyn)

The Telectroscope: A Window Through the World: Discover the long-forgotten transatlantic tunnel between London and Brooklyn with the Telectroscope. Artist Paul St. George’s public media project is an amazing optical device that allows viewers in Brooklyn to see all the way to London. Through June 15. Free. (On Old Fulton Street at Fulton Ferry Landing, Brooklyn)

Friday, May 23

Brooklyn Bridge Film Series: Pack a picnic dinner and enjoy the sunset at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge as DJs spin tunes. Stick around for an open-air showing of Walt Disney Pictures’ Enchanted (2007; rated PG), a modern-day fairy tale set in Manhattan. It will be preceded by two short historic films—Panorama from the Tower of the Brooklyn Bridge (1903) and Manhatta (1921). Music begins at 6pm; film starts at 8:30pm. This event is free—along with the popcorn. (Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park, enter at Main Street, Brooklyn)

To experience New York City film from inside the theater, head to Tribeca Cinemas to catch Mo’ Better Blues (1990; rated R) from Brooklyn’s own Spike Lee, starring Denzel Washington as a Brooklyn-born jazz trumpeter. Arrive early as seating is limited. Doors open at 6:30pm; film begins at 7pm. Free. (54 Varick Street at Laight Street, Manhattan)

Brooklyn Bridge Information Tents: The American Society of Civil Engineers and the Roebling Chapter of the Society for Industrial Archeology will offer guided tours of the Bridge through Sunday, 10am–5pm. Free. (Brooklyn Bridge by Manhattan and Brooklyn-side arches)

Saturday, May 24

Brooklyn Bridge Film Series: Did you know the Brooklyn Bridge was once called the East River Bridge? Learn all sorts of information about the landmark from Brooklyn Bridge (1981), a documentary directed by Ken Burns. Seating is limited at this event presented by the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The film begins at 4:30pm; tickets available starting at 1:30pm. Free. (30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn)

Enjoy the views from the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge and sing along to the musical It Happened in Brooklyn (1947), starring Frank Sinatra as a Brooklynite returning home from the war. The feature will be preceded by two short historic films—Panorama from the Tower of the Brooklyn Bridge (1903) and Manhatta (1921). DJs will begin spinning tunes at 6pm; film starts at 8:30pm. This event is free—along with the popcorn. (Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park, enter at Main Street, Brooklyn)

Lecture Series: In honor of the Bridge’s 125th birthday, the Brooklyn Historical Society will host of weekend of lectures and readings at their headquarters (128 Pierrepont Street at Clinton Street, Brooklyn, 718-222-4111) each hour from 1–4pm. Additional lectures will be held at Surrogates Court (31 Chambers Street, Room 209, Manhattan) from 1–3pm. Seating is limited at all readings. For a complete schedule, visit the Official Guide to the Brooklyn Bridge 125th Birthday Celebration. Free.

Brooklyn Bridge Walking Tour: Ron Schweiger, the official historian for Brooklyn, will give a tour of the Brooklyn Bridge at 11am. Call 718-802-3846 for more information. Free. (Meet at Manhattan-side arch of the Brooklyn Bridge)

Brooklyn Icons Mini-Golf: This mini-golf course features some of Brooklyn’s most famous sites, including the Brooklyn Bridge, Grand Army Plaza and the Brooklyn Cyclones’ baseball stadium, KeySpan Park. Golf clubs and balls are provided on-site. This event will be held Saturday and Sunday, 1–5pm. For more information, go to visitbrooklyn.org or call 718-802-3846. Free. (Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park, enter on Main Street, Brooklyn)

Sunday, May 25

Tour de Brooklyn: For the fourth year in a row, 2,000 bicyclists will ride all around Brooklyn in this leisurely 18-mile bike tour. Participate or just cheer from the sidelines. For advance registration, go to tourdebrooklyn.org. Family friendly. Free.

Brooklyn Bridge Walking Tours: At 11am, Ron Schweiger, the official historian for Brooklyn, will give a tour of the Brooklyn Bridge (meet at the Manhattan-side arch of Brooklyn Bridge). At 1pm and 4pm, Dave Fieder—aka “Dave the Bridge Man”—will also give tours of the landmark (meet at Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge). Call 718-802-3846 for more information. Free.