As 2026 dawns, Zohran Mamdani is set to usher in a new era as New York City’s mayor, with the festivities expected to light up New Year’s Day. The Democratic leader’s inauguration plans include a pair of distinct swearing-in ceremonies scheduled for Thursday, each designed to mark the occasion in unique ways.

Firstly, Mamdani will partake in an intimate, midnight ceremony alongside his family at an iconic location—an old subway station. This historical site, with its captivating tiled arches and vaulted ceilings, is one of the city’s original stops on its legendary underground network. Later in the day, a larger, more public event will unfold with a block party right outside City Hall, inviting the public to join in the celebrations.

Such dual ceremonies have become a tradition for New York’s incoming mayors, who take office as the new year begins. This custom was embraced by previous mayors; Eric Adams held his initial swearing-in amidst the vibrant celebrations of Times Square’s ball drop, while Bill de Blasio chose the more personal setting of his Brooklyn home for his first oath.

At Mamdani’s midnight inauguration, New York Attorney General Letitia James will administer the oath. James, known for her political camaraderie with Mamdani and her prominent opposition to former President Donald Trump, adds a notable presence to the proceedings.

New York Attorney General Letitia James, a political ally and notable foe of President Donald Trump, will administer the oath of office.

The old City Hall stop was designed as the flagship station of the city’s first subway line, but was decommissioned in 1945. These days, outside of occasional guided historical tours, locals can usually only catch a glimpse of it by staying on the 6 train after its last stop downtown when it turns around to head north.

In a statement, Mamdani’s office said the choice to be sworn in at the station reflected his “commitment to the working people who keep our city running every day.”

“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 said.

“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,” he said.

On Thursday afternoon, Mamdani will be sworn in again, this time by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, one of his political heroes, on the steps of City Hall in a ceremony scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, another political ally, will deliver opening remarks.

Mamdani’s transition formed an inaugural committee that includes actor John Turturro, playwright Cole Escola and writer Colson Whitehead, as well as advocates, small business owners and campaign workers who the incoming mayor’s office says have “provided perspective, guidance, and cultural sensibility” for the ceremony.

The public swearing-in will be accompanied by a block party along a stretch of Broadway leading up to City Hall. Mamdani’s office expects thousands of people to attend and says there will be performances, music and interfaith elements.