As the clock strikes midnight and New York City turns the page to 2026, Zohran Mamdani will quietly assume office in an unconventional yet deeply symbolic ceremony beneath Manhattan’s streets. The Democrat, poised to become the city’s next mayor, is planning a two-part inauguration that blends history, personal meaning, and public celebration—reflecting both the weight of the office and his vision for the city’s future.
Mamdani’s term officially begins at 12:00 a.m. on January 1, in keeping with city tradition. His first swearing-in will take place just after midnight at the long-closed City Hall subway station, an architectural landmark of New York’s earliest underground transit system. The ceremony will be private, attended by close family and a small circle of advisers, marking a reflective start to an administration that has pledged to foreground working people and public infrastructure.
“The former City Hall station represents a moment when New York invested boldly in systems designed to improve everyday life,” Mamdani said in a statement released by his office. “That spirit of ambition—of building for the common good—is what we aim to carry forward.”
A Historic Oath in a Historic Space
The choice of venue is laden with symbolism. Designed as the flagship station of the city’s first subway line, the City Hall stop opened in 1904 and was closed in 1945 due to declining ridership and logistical challenges. Today, its tiled arches and vaulted ceilings are visible mainly to history buffs on guided tours—or to riders who remain aboard the 6 train after its final downtown stop as it loops back north.
Administering the oath at the underground ceremony will be Letitia James, a close political ally of Mamdani and a prominent figure in New York politics. James’ role underscores the incoming mayor’s alignment with progressive leaders at the state level and adds further gravitas to the midnight moment.
In a historic first, Mamdani—who will be New York City’s first Muslim mayor—will place his hand on Qurans during both swearing-in ceremonies. The act marks the first time a New York mayor has taken the oath of office using Islam’s holy text, a milestone that reflects the city’s evolving religious and cultural landscape.
From Quiet Oath to Public Celebration
While the first ceremony will be intimate, the day’s second event will be anything but. On Thursday afternoon, Mamdani will be sworn in again on the steps of City Hall in a large public ceremony beginning at 1 p.m. The oath will be administered by Bernie Sanders, a longtime political hero of Mamdani and a figure whose influence looms large over the mayor-elect’s progressive agenda.
Opening remarks will be delivered by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, reinforcing the generational and ideological alignment between the incoming mayor and a cohort of left-leaning national leaders. Mamdani’s office has described the afternoon event as both a formal inauguration and a public celebration of democratic participation.
A block party will accompany the ceremony, stretching along a section of Broadway leading up to City Hall. Organizers expect thousands to attend, with performances, music, and interfaith elements designed to reflect the city’s diversity. “This inauguration is meant to be open, joyful, and rooted in community,” the mayor-elect’s transition team said.
Tradition, With a Twist
New York City’s tradition of dual swearing-in ceremonies dates back decades, acknowledging that the mayor’s term begins immediately at the start of the new year. Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams held his initial oath at Times Square shortly after the iconic New Year’s Eve ball drop, while his predecessor, Bill de Blasio, was first sworn in at home in Brooklyn.
Mamdani’s underground choice sets him apart, emphasizing history and infrastructure over spectacle. His team said the decision reflects “a commitment to the working people who keep our city running every day.”
An Inauguration Shaped by Culture
Mamdani’s transition has also assembled an inaugural committee that blends politics with culture. The group includes actor John Turturro, playwright Cole Escola, and writer Colson Whitehead, alongside advocates, small business owners, and campaign workers. According to the incoming mayor’s office, the committee has “provided perspective, guidance, and cultural sensibility” to the ceremonies.
In a footnote to history, Mamdani’s election has also prompted archivists to revisit the city’s mayoral records. A recent review concluded that he will be the city’s 112th mayor—not the 111th—after historians uncovered an oversight involving a 17th-century mayor who served two nonconsecutive terms.
As Mamdani prepares to take office, he has continued staffing his administration, announcing key appointments as recently as Wednesday—just hours before his swearing-in. Together, the ceremonies and early actions signal a mayor eager to link New York’s past with an ambitious vision for its future.
