Zohran Mamdani’s NYC Inauguration Guide

Zohran Mamdani’s New York City Inauguration: Schedule, Block Party, and Political Significance

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Key Takeaways

• Zohran Mamdani will be officially sworn in as New York City’s mayor just after midnight on January 1, with a public ceremony at 1 p.m. ET at City Hall.
• New York Attorney General Letitia James will administer the official midnight oath, while Sen. Bernie Sanders will lead the public swearing-in.
• A free “Block Party on Broadway” in the Canyon of Heroes will give New Yorkers a public way to participate, with RSVP required through the transition website.
• The inauguration is framed as an “Inauguration of a New Era,” reflecting Mamdani’s democratic socialist and movement-focused politics.
• About 4,000 ticketed guests will attend the City Hall ceremony, while thousands more can join the surrounding public festivities.

Table of Contents

• Inauguration Overview: A New Era for New York City
• Key Dates and Times for Mamdani’s Swearing-In
• Who Is Swearing In Zohran Mamdani?
• Is the Broadway Block Party Open to the Public?
• Why This Inauguration Matters Politically
• Practical Tips if You Plan to Attend
• Quick FAQ for Visitors and New Yorkers

Inauguration Overview: A New Era for New York City

Zohran Mamdani will step into office as mayor of New York City immediately after the ball drops in Times Square, tying the city’s biggest annual celebration to the start of a new political chapter. The event has been branded the “Inauguration of a New Era”, underscoring how the incoming administration is positioning itself as a break from traditional City Hall politics.

Speaking about the meaning of the moment, Mamdani emphasized a shared sense of ownership with New Yorkers, noting that it is “not my success, it’s our success… it’s not my inauguration, it’s for all of us”. That framing carries through the day’s structure: an official midnight ceremony, an afternoon public swearing-in, and a large block party designed to bring everyday residents into the experience.

Key Dates and Times for Mamdani’s Swearing-In

To make planning easier, here is the basic timeline of the day’s events:

• Just after midnight, January 1 (ET): Official swearing-in immediately following the Times Square ball drop.
• 11 a.m. ET: Gates open for the public “Block Party on Broadway” in the Canyon of Heroes.
• 1 p.m. ET: Public inauguration ceremony and oath at City Hall, with approximately 4,000 ticketed guests.

If you are attending in person, aim to arrive early, especially for the block party. Crowds around City Hall and Broadway can grow quickly on major civic occasions, and security screenings often add extra time.

Who Is Swearing In Zohran Mamdani?

Two nationally recognizable Democrats will administer Mamdani’s oaths of office, reflecting both his local base and his alignment with the national progressive movement.

Midnight oath: New York Attorney General Letitia James
Letitia James, a Democrat and New York’s attorney general, will handle the official midnight swearing-in. James has become one of the most visible legal opponents of former President Donald Trump, notably suing him in a 2023 civil fraud case and engaging with high-profile federal matters, including now-dismissed Department of Justice charges in 2025.

Public oath: Sen. Bernie Sanders
The public oath during the 1 p.m. ceremony will be delivered by Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a Brooklyn native and one of the nation’s best-known progressive lawmakers. Like Mamdani, Sanders identifies as a democratic socialist, and he endorsed and campaigned for Mamdani in the run-up to the November 4 election.

In a December 22 news release from Mamdani’s transition team, both James and Sanders were described as “political inspirations” to the incoming mayor, signaling the ideological and strategic alignment among them.

Is the Broadway Block Party Open to the Public?

Yes. The “Broadway Block Party” in the Canyon of Heroes is open to the general public and serves as the most accessible way for New Yorkers to take part in the inauguration day experience.

However, there is one key requirement: attendees must RSVP through Mamdani’s transition website. While the article does not list a URL, you can search for the transition site by name and follow the RSVP instructions. Completing this step in advance can help manage crowd size and streamline security.

What to expect at the block party:

• Large outdoor viewing areas near Broadway and the Canyon of Heroes.
• Public screens or vantage points for following the City Hall ceremony.
• A celebratory, movement-style atmosphere emphasizing community participation.

If you are planning a visit, consider pairing the event with a walking tour of lower Manhattan landmarks or a stop at nearby local cafes—an engaging way to turn the civic event into a full-day city experience.

Why This Inauguration Matters Politically

Mamdani’s inauguration is more than a ceremonial handover; it signals the growing institutional influence of democratic socialist and progressive currents in one of the world’s most prominent cities.

Key layers of political meaning include:

• Symbolic timing: Tying the moment to the New Year’s ball drop reinforces the branding of a fresh start for city governance.
• Progressive lineup: Featuring both Letitia James and Bernie Sanders foregrounds a coalition that blends legal activism, anti-Trump resistance, and left-populist economic politics.
• Movement framing: Mamdani’s repeated emphasis on “our administration” and “our inauguration” echoes language common in grassroots campaigns that treat elected office as an expression of collective organizing rather than individual ambition.

At the same time, the fact that nearly half of the city voted against Mamdani in November—mentioned elsewhere in the broader coverage—underscores the challenge ahead: integrating skeptics, moderates, and opposition voters into a citywide agenda. For politically engaged readers, following this administration’s first 100 days can offer insight into how movement-oriented candidates translate campaign ideals into governing reality.

Practical Tips if You Plan to Attend

To make the most of the day, especially if you are visiting from outside the city, consider these practical suggestions:

• RSVP early: Complete the required RSVP on the transition website for the block party to ensure you can access the viewing area.
• Arrive before gates open: With gates opening at 11 a.m. ET, arriving 30–60 minutes early can help you secure a comfortable spot.
• Dress for the weather: Early January in New York is typically cold; layered clothing, hats, and gloves are recommended for extended outdoor standing.
• Plan transit ahead: Check MTA updates, as some nearby subway entrances or streets may be closed due to security and crowd control.
• Explore nearby attractions: Use breaks between events to visit City Hall Park, the Brooklyn Bridge promenade, or the Financial District.

If you cannot attend in person, look for televised coverage or official livestreams, which are likely to accompany an event of this profile.

Quick FAQ for Visitors and New Yorkers

Is the inauguration ceremony at City Hall open to everyone?
No. The main City Hall ceremony has about 4,000 ticketed guests. However, the broader block party and public viewing are meant to extend the experience to the general public.

Do I need a ticket for the block party?
You do not need a traditional ticket, but you do need to RSVP through Mamdani’s transition website to attend the Broadway Block Party.

Who are the main political figures involved?
New York Attorney General Letitia James administers the official midnight oath, and Sen. Bernie Sanders leads the public swearing-in. Both have been publicly described by Mamdani’s team as political inspirations.

What makes this inauguration different from past ones?
The democratic socialist orientation of the incoming mayor, the timing immediately after the Times Square ball drop, and the emphasis on a large public block party collectively frame the day as a mass-participation, movement-style event rather than a purely institutional ceremony.

Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/12/29/zohran-mamdani-swearing-in-ceremonies-time/87937550007/