Incoming New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is completely defying tradition for his swearing-in, choosing to take his first oath at midnight on January 1, 2026, inside a decommissioned, ornate subway station, as per AP News. While it’s customary for new city leaders to hold two events when their term begins, Mamdani is making history with his location choice: the former City Hall subway stop in Manhattan.
The City Hall station was one of the original stops on the subterranean system and served as its flagship when the subway first opened. The station is famous for its beautiful vaulted ceilings and tiled arches, but it was decommissioned back in 1945. These days, you can only catch a fleeting glimpse of its splendor if you stay on the 6 train after its final downtown stop, as the train loops around to head back north.
Honestly, this is a brilliant choice, reflecting the city’s deep history while still keeping things focused on the infrastructure that keeps the metropolis running. Mamdani’s office explained that holding the initial, small ceremony there reflects his “commitment to the working people who keep our city running every day.”
Holding the swearing-in inside the City Hall station is such a New York thing to do
The incoming mayor himself echoed that sentiment, noting the station represents an era when New York genuinely invested in infrastructure meant to improve people’s lives. He said that ambition is exactly what his administration aims to carry forward. For this private, midnight ceremony, the oath of office will be administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James. She is a powerful political ally of the incoming mayor and a well-known foe of President Donald Trump.
The celebrations are set to last all the way through New Year’s Day. Later in the afternoon, Mamdani will be sworn in again in a much larger, public ceremony on the steps of City Hall. That event is scheduled to kick off at 1:00 PM. This time, the oath will be administered by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, whom Mamdani considers one of his political heroes. Before the oath, U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a fellow New Yorker and political ally, will deliver opening remarks.
Mamdani’s team is planning a massive street celebration along a stretch of Broadway leading right up to City Hall. His office expects thousands of people to attend and says the event will include performances, music, and interfaith elements, reflecting his outreach to immigrant New Yorkers. To help plan the ceremonies, Mamdani’s transition team formed an inaugural committee stacked with notable figures and community leaders.
That committee includes actor John Turturro, playwright Cole Escola, and writer Colson Whitehead. The incoming mayor’s office stated that these members provided perspective, guidance, and cultural sensibility for the day’s ceremonies.
While holding two separate events is now customary, the locations are usually chosen based on personal significance or ease of access. Departing Mayor Eric Adams, for example, held his initial swearing-in at Times Square shortly after the famous ball drop. Before him, Mayor Bill de Blasio took his first oath at home in Brooklyn. Mamdani’s choice of the historic, subterranean station is certainly a refreshing twist on tradition.
Published: Dec 31, 2025 05:30 pm