For　their　aesthetic　values,　both　arches　and　stress-ribbon　decks　are　widely　used　in　design　of　pedestrian　bridges.　The　combination　of　the　two　systems　provides　the　solution　of　a　self-anchored　structure.　In　the　current　paper,　the　dynamic　characteristics　of　a　short-span　stress　ribbon　and　butterfly　arch　bridge　are　investigated　by　means　of　operational　modal　analysis.　Ambient　vibration　of　the　bridge　is　recorded　by　using　several　highly-synchronous　three-axial　wireless　accelerometers　deployed　on　the　bridge　deck.　Modal　parameters,　including　natural　frequencies,　mode　shapes　and　damping　ratios　are　extracted　from　the　measurements.　By　comparing　the　experimental　modal　results　to　their　numerical　counterparts　obtained　from　a　preliminary　finite　element　model,　interesting　results　are　found　both　related　to　the　flexibility　of　the　whole　system　and　the　stiffness　contribution　of　the　non-structural　elements.　The　findings　also　serve　as　the　basis　of　the　serviceability　assessment　of　the　pedestrian　bridge.　©　Springer　Nature　Switzerland　AG　2020.