Inauguration Day won't be the only day President-elect Donald Trump celebrates his return to the White House.
Inauguration Day itself falls on Monday, Jan. 20, but the schedule of events will actually start even earlier.
So what does that mean and when can you expect to see inaugural events?
Here's the full schedule, timing and more.
When is Inauguration Day?
Monday, Jan. 20, marks the official 60th Presidential Inauguration Day for 2025. The day is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday.
Inaugural events will begin as early as Saturday, however.
Local
Full schedule of events
The Trump Vance Inaugural Committee on Monday announced the following schedule for inaugural events:
Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter.
Saturday, January 18, 2025
- The President’s Reception and Fireworks at Trump Sterling
- Cabinet Reception and Vice President’s Dinner
Sunday, January 19, 2025
- Arlington National Cemetery Ceremony
Wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - Make America Great Again Victory Rally
President Donald J. Trump Delivers Remarks - Candlelight Dinner
President Donald J. Trump Delivers Remarks
Monday, January 20, 2025
- St. John’s Church Service
- Tea at the White House
- Swearing-In Ceremony
US Capitol - Farewell to the Former President and Vice President
- US Capitol Departure Ceremony
- The President’s Signing Room Ceremony
- JCCIC Congressional Luncheon
- The President’s Review of the Troops
- Presidential Parade
Pennsylvania Avenue - Oval Office Signing Ceremony at The White House
- Commander in Chief Ball
President Donald J. Trump Delivers Remarks - Liberty Inaugural Ball
President Donald J. Trump Delivers Remarks - Starlight Ball
President Donald J. Trump Delivers Remarks
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
- National Prayer Service
What time is the inauguration?
The swearing-in ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. CT or 12 p.m. ET.
According to Washington's tourism department, the timing of the day typically sees security screening gates open at 5 a.m. CT, followed by music and then opening remarks.
What happens on Inauguration Day?
Inauguration Day is the day the new U.S. president is officially sworn into office.
Under provisions of the 20th Amendment to the United States Constitution, the new president officially takes office on Jan. 20, unless that date falls on a Sunday. In that situation, the inauguration would take place on Jan. 21.
Prior to the passage of the 20th Amendment, the new president had taken office on March 4.
So what happens on the day?
In addition to the president taking office, the vice president also takes the oath of office and becomes the vice president at noon on Jan. 20.
The new president traditionally offers an inaugural address on Capitol Hill following their swearing in, with the public invited to attend the transfer of power ceremony. A military parade typically follows, as does a traditional inauguration luncheon.
After the ceremony, the new president typically attends a series of inaugural events throughout the capital, including glitzy balls and dances. Monies raised for the inauguration are typically used to help pay for the events, including costs related to the oath of office ceremony itself.
Money leftover from the inaugural committee is expected to be used toward a future Trump presidential library, according to the person, the Associated Press reported.
What is the theme of this inauguration?
According to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, the theme of the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies is “Our Enduring Democracy: A Constitutional Promise."
The committee said it "recognizes the Founders’ commitment to future generations of Americans to preserve the continuity and stability of our democratic system of government."
"Throughout its history, the nation has been tested and has persevered because of the sacred American principles rooted in our founding documents. The Inaugural Ceremonies, a tradition since 1789, embodies the principles expressed by the Founders in 1776 and symbolizes our continuing commitment to these ideals. When we gather for the 60th Presidential Inauguration, we will honor the Constitution’s promise to preserve liberty through a stable, enduring democracy for generations to come," the committee states.
Why are U.S. flags being flown at half-staff on Inauguration Day?
President-elect Donald Trump has expressed frustration that flags will be flying at half-staff when he takes office later this month.
It's an action put in place by President Joe Biden to honor the late President Jimmy Carter, who died Sunday at 100. And while Trump will be the first president sworn in with U.S. flags lowered to half-staff, it's not a timeline that he can do anything about — until after he takes office.
The U.S. flag code lays out parameters for lowering the U.S. flag to half-staff, including a 30-day period for current or former presidents to cover flags at federal government buildings and their grounds, as well as at U.S. embassies and other facilities abroad, including military installations and vessels.
Flags can be lowered to commemorate the deaths of other officials, including the vice president, Supreme Court justices and members of Congress, although those periods aren’t as long.
Flags can also be ordered lowered in other circumstances, including a national tragedy or on Memorial Day.
Since U.S. flag code states that no flag should fly higher than the American flag on the same pole or nearby, state flags get lowered during those periods, too.
When does Trump take office for 2025?
Under provisions of the 20th Amendment, the terms of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will officially end at 11 a.m. CT on Jan. 20, meaning that Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance will officially take office at that time, whether or not they’ve had their oaths of office administered.
What is the presidential oath of office?
While the vice president takes the same oath of office as members of Congress, the president takes a slightly different oath:
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
How much money does Inauguration Day cost?
Trump has raised more than $170 million for his upcoming inauguration, a record amount as tech executives and big donors have eagerly written large checks to help bankroll the ceremony.
The private donations collected thus far were confirmed by a person with firsthand knowledge of the fundraising who was not authorized to speak publicly. The person said Trump’s inaugural committee is expected to raise more than $200 million by the end of the effort.
That's more than double the amount President Joe Biden raised four years ago, when he brought in nearly $62 million for his inauguration, according to Federal Election Commission records.
Donations to Trump’s first inauguration in 2016 also set a record when he brought in nearly $107 million.
Can the public get tickets to the Inauguration?
According to officials, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies makes a "limited number of inauguration tickets available to the public through members of Congress."
Tickets are free and allow the public to watch in-person on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol as the president and vice president are sworn in.
According to government officials, tickets will be available from members of Congress in the weeks leading up to the inauguration.
"Please check with the Senator or Representative of your home state for tickets," the JCCIC said. "You can find your Congressional Members here."