Zohran Mamdani to Take Oath as New York City Mayor at Midnight as 2026 Begins
New York City will welcome a new mayor as the calendar turns to 2026, with Zohran Mamdani set to officially assume office just after midnight on New Year’s Eve. The incoming mayor’s transition team has planned two swearing-in ceremonies, blending tradition, symbolism, and public celebration across the first day of the new year.
As is customary in New York, the mayoral term begins the moment the new year starts, prompting incoming leaders to mark the occasion with an initial oath followed by a larger public event later in the day.
First Oath at Historic City Hall Subway Station
Mamdani will take his first oath of office in the early moments of January 1 during a private ceremony with close family members. The setting for this midnight event will be the old City Hall subway station in Manhattan, a landmark from the city’s earliest days of underground transit.
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The station, which opened in 1904 as part of New York’s first subway line, closed to passengers in 1945. Today, it remains largely inaccessible, known for its ornate tile work, sweeping arches, and vaulted ceilings. Most New Yorkers only glimpse it while staying on a downtown 6 train as it loops back north.
New York Attorney General Letitia James will administer the oath. Mamdani’s office said the location reflects his message of standing with working-class New Yorkers who keep the city functioning each day.
In a statement, Mamdani said the station symbolises a time when the city invested boldly in projects that improved everyday lives, adding that his administration aims to revive that spirit above ground.
Public Swearing-In and Block Party at City Hall
Later on Thursday, Mamdani will participate in a second, public oath-taking ceremony on the steps of City Hall, scheduled to begin at 1 pm. The event will feature U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, a long-time political inspiration for Mamdani, who will administer the oath.
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Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will deliver opening remarks, underscoring the progressive alliances that helped shape Mamdani’s rise to city leadership.
The ceremony will be followed by a block party along Broadway, stretching toward City Hall. Organisers expect thousands of attendees, with live music, performances, and interfaith elements planned throughout the afternoon.
Inaugural Committee Blends Politics and Culture
Mamdani’s inaugural committee brings together voices from politics, culture, and the arts. Members include actor John Turturro, playwright Cole Escola, and author Colson Whitehead, along with advocates, small business owners, and campaign volunteers.
The mayor-elect’s office said the group helped shape an inauguration that reflects New York’s diversity, creativity, and civic spirit.
As New York steps into 2026, Mamdani’s inauguration signals a leadership change rooted in symbolism, public participation, and a promise to govern with the city’s working communities at its centre.
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