Inauguration Day 2025 schedule: Key events, times for Trump's swearing-in
Editor's note: Trump's inaugural ceremony has been moved indoors due to weather. Follow here for more information.
Inauguration Day is just a weekend away and with it, the once-every-four-years buzz of the day's ceremonies.
Preparations have already been well underway at the Capitol for Donald Trump's second inauguration, with acts like Carrie Underwood having announced plans to perform and Congress members finishing up the distribution of free tickets to some of the lucky constituents that requested them.
Trump himself will be busy this weekend, attending receptions and rallies in the days leading up to Jan. 20 and preparing for a packed schedule starting with church services and ending with three separate balls on Inauguration Day itself.
The pomp and circumstance of Inauguration Day ceremonies are both enshrined in the Constitution and steeped in tradition. Here's what we know so far about what to expect on Inauguration Day.
When is Inauguration Day?
The inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump will take place on Monday, Jan. 20. This coincides with Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year.
What time is Trump sworn in?
The swearing-in ceremony is at noon EST.
Where are Inauguration Day ceremonies being held?
Inauguration Day events will be held at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington according to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC).
Inauguration 2025 schedule
The Trump Vance Inaugural Committee, National Park Service, Washington D.C. tourism department and the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies have laid out a general schedule of the weekend, though not every event has a specific start time or location. All times provided are in ET.
Saturday, Jan. 18
- The president's reception and fireworks at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia
- Cabinet reception and vice president's dinner
Sunday, Jan. 19
- Arlington National Cemetery ceremony: Laying wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
- On the day before his inauguration, Trump will host a “Make America Great Again Victory Rally." It's scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. EST at the Capital One Arena.
- Two free tickets per person are available on a first-come, first-served basis and you must confirm a text message to be registered. The signup form is here.
- Candlelight dinner: Trump will deliver remarks
Monday, Jan. 20: Inauguration Day
- 5 a.m.: Security screening opens at the National Mall
- Before the day's ceremonies, an open, non-partisan service will be held at the St. John’s Episcopal Church in downtown D.C. After that, Donald and Melania Trump are set to head to the White House for tea with President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. Traditionally, the sitting president then escorts the incoming president to the Capitol.
- Around 9:30 a.m.: Live music, including Carrie Underwood's performance of "America the Beautiful," and opening remarks will begin on the West Lawn of the Capitol building.
- Those with tickets should arrive by 11:30 a.m.
- 12 p.m.: In line with the Constitution's assertion that the transfer of power happens at exactly noon on Jan. 20, Trump will take the presidential oath during the swearing-in ceremony.
- The swearing-in ceremony is traditionally when the new president also delivers their inaugural address.
- A little after 12 p.m.: The official farewell and ceremonial departure of the former president and vice president. Typically, they leave in a helicopter.
- Then comes the president’s signing room ceremony, during which the president, accompanied by aides and members of Congress, heads to the president’s room off of the Senate chamber and signs nominations, memorandums, proclamations, or executive orders.
- Next is the JCCIC congressional luncheon at the Capitol's Statuary Hall, which is attended by the president and vice president and their guests, Senate leaders and members of JCCIC.
- After lunch, the new president and vice president head to the east front steps of the Capitol for the president's review of the military troops.
- 3 p.m.: The presidential parade will kick off on Pennsylvania Avenue and proceed to the White House. The procession includes ceremonial military regiments, citizens’ groups, marching bands and floats.
- After this, Trump returns to to the White House for the Oval Office signing ceremony where performs an inaugural signing.
- Finally, Trump will attend and deliver remarks at three separate balls: the Commander in Chief Ball, the Liberty Inaugural Ball and the Starlight Ball.
Tuesday, Jan. 21
How to watch the inauguration ceremonies
Inauguration Day ceremonies will air on major news networks including ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, CSPAN and Fox News.
You can also watch the day's events via Paste BN's YouTube livestream here.
How do you get tickets to the Presidential Inauguration?
Tickets to the inauguration were given to members of Congress on Monday to distribute amongst constituents who requested them. The tickets are free but limited and most, if not all, Congress members have closed their applications for Monday's ceremonies.
If you're still hoping to get on a last-minute waitlist, you can find and contact your member of Congress using the search function on USA.gov.
Contributing: Cheryl McCloud, Lianna Norman, Paste BN NETWORK; Fernando Cervantes Jr., Kinsey Crowley, Paste BN