Mamdani's inauguration: New York, new year, new mayor

Zohran Mamdani will officially assume office as New York City mayor at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Day, beginning his term with a private swearing-in ceremony followed by a large public celebration later in the day.

The 34-year-old democratic socialist will take his first oath just after midnight at the decommissioned City Hall subway station in Manhattan. The private ceremony will be attended only by family members and will be administered by New York attorney general Letitia James . Mamdani’s office said the historic location was chosen to symbolise his commitment to working New Yorkers and the city’s tradition of building public infrastructure that transformed everyday lives.

The former City Hall station, one of the original 28 subway stops that opened in 1904 , is known for its vaulted ceilings and ornate tiled arches. Closed to regular service since 1945, it is largely inaccessible to the public except through limited historical tours, making it one of the city’s most storied hidden landmarks.

Mamdani’s decision follows a long-standing tradition in New York, where incoming mayors often hold two swearing-in ceremonies because a new mayor’s term officially begins with the new year. Outgoing mayor Eric Adams was sworn in at Times Square after the New Year’s Eve ball drop, while former mayor Bill de Blasio took his initial oath at his Brooklyn home .

In a statement, Mamdani said the old subway station represented a moment when New York dared to build ambitious projects that improved the lives of working people. He added that the same spirit would guide his administration from City Hall above ground.

A second , public swearing-in ceremony will take place Thursday afternoon on the steps of City Hall, beginning at 1 p.m. U.S. senator Bernie Sanders will administer the oath, while U.S. representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is scheduled to deliver opening remarks.

The public ceremony will be followed by a block party along Broadway leading up to City Hall. Mamdani’s office expects thousands of people to attend and said the event will include music, performances and interfaith elements reflecting the city’s diversity.

Mamdani’s inauguration marks a historic moment for New York City. He will be the city’s first Muslim mayor , the first mayor of South Asian and Indian origin , and the youngest person to hold the office in more than a century. He won the November election with more than one million votes, recording the highest voter turnout in a mayoral race since 1993.

His campaign focused heavily on affordability and public services, with proposals including rent freezes for rent-stabilised apartments, fare-free buses, expanded affordable housing and free childcare. His transition team has already begun naming key officials, signalling that those priorities will shape the early months of his administration.

An inaugural committee formed during the transition includes actor J ohn Turturro , playwright Cole Escola and author Colson Whitehead , along with advocates, small business owners and campaign workers. The mayor-elect’s office said the group helped shape the cultural tone of the inauguration.

As New York rings in the new year, Mamdani’s twin ceremonies and public celebrations will mark the start of a new mayoral term and a defining moment in the city’s political history.