- KR Bharat
- 2025-12-31
Zohran Mamdani will assume office as the mayor of New York City as the clock strikes midnight ushering in 2026, with celebrations set to continue throughout New Year’s Day.
The Democrat’s transition team has planned two swearing-in ceremonies on Thursday, in keeping with city tradition. Mamdani will first take a private oath shortly after midnight in the historic former City Hall subway station in Manhattan, attended by close family members. The second, larger public ceremony will take place in the afternoon on the steps of City Hall, accompanied by a block party and public celebrations.
New York Attorney General Letitia James will administer the midnight oath at the decommissioned City Hall subway station, one of the city’s original subway stops known for its ornate tiled arches and vaulted ceilings. The station, which opened in 1904 and was closed in 1945, is now accessible only during special tours or brief glimpses from passing trains.
In a statement, Mamdani said the venue symbolises his commitment to working people and the city’s legacy of ambitious public infrastructure. He described the station as a monument to New York’s belief in building projects that transform lives, adding that his administration aims to carry forward that spirit.
The public swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Thursday, with U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders administering the oath. U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will deliver opening remarks. The event will feature performances and a block party along a stretch of Broadway leading up to City Hall, with thousands of attendees expected.
Mamdani’s inaugural committee includes actor John Turturro, playwright Cole Escola and author Colson Whitehead, along with advocates, small business owners and campaign workers. His office said the group helped shape the ceremony with cultural insight and community perspective.
As New York City welcomes the New Year, the dual ceremonies will mark the formal beginning of Mamdani’s mayoral term and set the tone for his administration.
