2009 INAUGURATION EVENTS

Official inauguration activities will span a four-day period, beginning with a welcome ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial, beginning at 2 PM on Jan. 18, including a day of service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 19 and ending with a prayer service on Jan. 21 at the Washington National Cathedral. The Obamas and Bidens are expected to arrive in DC by train on Saturday, Jan. 17, following events in Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore.

The President-elect Barack Obama and Vice-President-elect Joe Biden will take the oath of office on the steps of the Capitol just before noon on Jan. 20. The formal ceremony begins at 11:30 AM. The swearing-in is followed by a parade on Pennsylvania Avenue in the afternoon, following a luncheon hosted by the Joint Congressional Commission on Inaugural Ceremonies.

"A New Birth of Freedom," was the theme selected for the Swearing-in ceremony by the Joint Congressional Committee for Inaugural Ceremonies and commemorates the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. The words come from the Gettysburg address, and express Lincoln's hope that the sacrifice of those who died to preserve the nation shall lead to "a new birth of freedom" for our nation. Obama will take the oath of office using  the Bible used by Lincoln at his own swearing-in. Washington, DC will continue to mark the Lincoln Bicentennial with a 4-month promotion featuring more than 80 events celebrating the life and legacy of President Lincoln.

Each U.S. Senator and Representative receives a limited quantity of free tickets to the swearing-in ceremony that they may distribute to the public at their discretion. If you have questions, contact your U.S. Senator or Representative. We urge you to take caution if obtaining tickets from an unofficial source. 

Participating bands were recently announced by the Presidential Inaugural Committee. There will be fewer ticketed bleacher seating areas along the inaugural parade route, allowing more space for public viewing than in past inaugurations.  You can view the parade route and access information here. Note that the number of spectators allowed along Pennsylvania Avenue during the parade will be limited and transportation between the National Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue will be difficult. 

Inaugural balls and parties are starting to take shape at venues throughout the city, beginning approximately January 15 and ending the evening of January 20. There will be 10 official balls planned by the Presidential Inaugural Committee. Six will take place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and one each at the National Building Museum, Hilton Washington, Union Station and the D.C. Armory. Details will be announced in the coming weeks. Other balls are planned by the state societies and many more unofficial balls and parties will also be held during the week of the Inauguration. Entertainment line-ups for the parties are still being negotiated, but early reports include Sting, Elivs Costello and Sam Moore at The Creative Coalition's Ball at the Harman Center; Cyndi Lauper and Melissa Ethridge in attendance at the HRC Ball at the Mayflower and Harry Belafante at the Inaugural Peace Ball.

Requests to participate in Inauguration Day events for marching bands, marching units, mounted units, and other performers are now closed. 

Volunteer Information

Interested in volunteering for a Day of Service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. while you are in DC? Make it a day ON, not a day off and check out these volunteer opportunities available through Serve DC from the District of Columbia.