Zohran Mamdani will assume office as New York City’s next mayor when 2026 begins, with festivities planned to span throughout New Year’s Day.

The incoming Democratic mayor has organized dual swearing-in ceremonies for Thursday. A private midnight ceremony with family members will take place in a historic decommissioned subway station, followed by a larger public celebration outside City Hall in the afternoon.

The practice of holding two inaugural events follows a tradition among New York City mayors, whose terms officially begin with the new year. Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams took his first oath in Times Square following the iconic ball drop, while his predecessor Bill de Blasio was first sworn in at his Brooklyn residence.

Mamdani has chosen the former City Hall subway station as the site for his initial oath of office, which will be administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James, a prominent Democratic figure known for her legal battles against former President Donald Trump.

The historic station represents a significant piece of New York City’s transit history. Opened in 1904 as part of the city’s first subway line, it was designed to be a crown jewel of the system, featuring elegant tiled arches and vaulted ceilings. Though decommissioned in 1945, the station occasionally hosts historical tours and can be glimpsed by passengers who remain on the 6 train after its final downtown stop.

“When Old City Hall Station first opened in 1904 — one of New York’s 28 original subway stations — it was a physical monument to a city that dared to be both beautiful and build great things that would transform working peoples’ lives,” Mamdani explained in a statement. His team emphasized that the location choice symbolizes his “commitment to the working people who keep our city running every day.”

The mayor-elect added, “That ambition need not be a memory confined only to our past, nor must it be isolated only to the tunnels beneath City Hall: it will be the purpose of the administration fortunate enough to serve New Yorkers from the building above.”

For the afternoon public ceremony scheduled for 1 p.m., Mamdani will be sworn in by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, whom he has long considered a political hero. U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, another progressive ally, will deliver opening remarks at the City Hall steps event.

The transition team has assembled an eclectic inaugural committee featuring prominent New York cultural figures, including actor John Turturro, playwright Cole Escola, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Colson Whitehead. The committee also includes community advocates, small business owners, and campaign workers who have provided guidance on the ceremony’s cultural elements.

The public inauguration will transform the area into a festive community gathering. A block party will extend along Broadway leading to City Hall, with thousands expected to attend. Attendees will enjoy live performances, music, and interfaith elements in a celebration that aims to engage the diverse communities of New York City.

Mamdani’s dual inauguration approach balances intimate personal significance with public accessibility, allowing the incoming mayor to mark both the solemnity of taking office and the communal celebration of new leadership. The events reflect his stated desire to blend respect for the city’s history with a progressive vision for its future, particularly his focus on infrastructure and working-class New Yorkers.

As New York City prepares to welcome its new mayor, the carefully orchestrated inaugural events set a tone for an administration that aims to connect the city’s storied past with its aspirations for the coming years.