New York City will have a new mayor on Thursday, Jan. 1.

Zohran Mamdani is set to be the city’s next mayor. He’ll be the first Muslim and first person of South Asian descent to serve in the position. 

At 34 years old, Mamdani will also be the five boroughs’ youngest mayor in the past 100 years.

He will first take the oath of office at midnight on New Year’s Eve, administered by New York state Attorney General Letitia James. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders will swear him in the next day.

Here’s everything you need to know about Mamdani and Inauguration Day.

Who is Mamdani?

Mamdani began his political journey in 2020, when he won a Democratic primary race and then the general election for state Assembly District 36, which includes Astoria and part of Long Island City in Queens.

As an assemblyman, Mamdani spearheaded a pilot program to provide free bus service on one line in each borough and joined taxi drivers in a hunger strike aimed at relieving them of millions of dollars in debt.

In the 2025 mayoral race, Mamdani wasn’t always the frontrunner. In a February Quinnipiac University poll, he only had 8% of support from voters — trailing behind former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who had 31% support and 11% support, respectively 

By June, however, Mamdani’s campaign efforts appeared to have paid off, with a poll released a day before primary day showing him surpassing Cuomo in the final round of ranked-choice voting.

Mamdani did win the Democratic mayoral primary, becoming the party’s nominee after defeating Cuomo 56.4% to 43.6% in the final round of ranked-choice voting.

Mamdani kept a steady lead in the race in the aftermath of the primary, with polls showing him ahead of Cuomo by double digits before  the general election.

He eventually secured his seat at City Hall by winning against both Cuomo and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa in November.

When and where is the inauguration happening?

Mamdani will officially be sworn in on Thursday, Jan. 1, beginning with a private ceremony inside the decommissioned Old City Hall Subway Station, his transition team said.

The oath will be administered by New York State Attorney General Letitia James inside the historic station beneath Park Row and City Hall Park. The station opened in 1904 and closed in 1945, and is now accessible only through guided tours.

Later that day, Mamdani will take part in a public swearing-in ceremony at 1 p.m. on the steps of City Hall, where he will be sworn in by Sanders.

The public ceremony will be followed by a block party on the nearby Canyon of Heroes. The block party is open to the public, but attendance requires an RSVP in advance.

Who will be there?

Mamdani will be sworn in alongside City Comptroller-elect Mark Levine and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams at the 1 p.m. ceremony, according to the transition team. 

All three officials will speak at the ceremony, which will include music, performances and interfaith elements.

How can I watch?

Spectrum News NY1 will allow all viewers free access to watch Mamdani’s inauguration, with coverage beginning at noon.

Our live coverage will also be streamed on Spectrum News NY1’s YouTube channel.

Here’s how to watch.

Can anyone attend the inauguration?

The inauguration is not open to the public. However, this year, there will be a first-of-its-kind public block party along Broadway’s “Canyon of Heroes,” which will have large viewing areas where attendees can watch the ceremony live. 

The block party will take place on Broadway between Liberty and Murray streets from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Attendance at the party is free but limited, and guests must RSVP through the transition team website.

Mamdani’s team suggests that anyone who plans on attending the block party arrive between 11 a.m. and noon.

Where can I enter the block party?

The main entrance to the block party is at the intersection of Liberty Street and Broadway, the transition team says.

An ADA entrance will be set up at the intersection of Barclay Street and Broadway. 

The team recommends taking a 2 or 3 train to Wall Street; a J or Z train to Broad Street; an R or 1 train to Rector Street; a 4 or 5 train to Wall Street; or a 4 or 5 train to Fulton Street via the Dey Street Passageway.

What can and can’t I bring?

According to the transition team, attendees can bring:

Small bags or small backpacks with personal items
Thermoses of warm, non-alcoholic beverages
Snacks
Hats, scarves and gloves to stay warm

Attendees cannot bring:

Large bags
Weapons, fireworks or explosives
Large backpacks or duffle bags
Drones or remote-controlled aerial devices
Strollers
Coolers
Chairs
Blankets
Umbrellas
Bicycles or scooters
Alcoholic beverages
Illegal substances
Pets (other than service animals)
Large items that could obstruct the view of spectators
Laser pens
Bats or batons
Flipper Zeros
Raspberry Pis

 All bags will be searched, the transition team said.

Which subway lines will be affected during the inauguration?

Some subway stops in the area will be skipped, according to the transition team.

The R train will skip City Hall in both directions. Subways will be on a Sunday schedule. W trains will not operate. The closest ADA-accessible station is World Trade Center Cortlandt.

Some subway exits in the area will be closed.

At the Fulton Street 2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, J, R and PATH station, the exit on Broadway will be closed. To travel west across Broadway, commuters can use the passageway to Dey Street, which is an ADA-accessible station.
At the Park Place 2 and 3 train station, the exit on Broadway will be closed. Commuters can use the Church Street exit. The closest ADA-accessible station is at Chambers Street and West Broadway.

There will be some restrictions at subway stations in the area.

At the Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall station for the 4, 5, 6 and J trains, there is no access to City Hall Plaza or Park from that station. All commuters exiting that station at City Hall Park will be routed east to Centre Street. To travel west across Broadway from that stop, commuters can use the Reade Street exit.

What else should I know about this block party?

The transition team advised those who are attending to dress warmly and pack snacks.

There will also be no public restrooms during the event.