Zohran Mamdani will take the oath of office as mayor at midnight on New Year’s Eve in the Old City Hall subway station. The unique setting beneath the streets of Manhattan underscores Mamdani’s message of accessibility and engagement with everyday New Yorkers, linking the city’s vast public transit system with the democratic transition unfolding above.
The ceremony will take place at 12:00 a.m. on January 1, 2026, precisely as the city celebrates the start of the new year. Chosen to administer the oath will be New York State Attorney General Letitia James, continuing a tradition of involving prominent civic leaders in key civic rites. Mamdani’s family, close advisors, and a small group of invited guests are expected to be present for this intimate and symbolic moment.
Old City Hall station, closed to subway service since 1945 but preserved as a historic transit landmark, is a powerful setting for the midnight ceremony. Built in 1904 as part of the first underground subway line in the United States, the station’s vaulted ceilings, ornate tile work and elegant architecture offer a backdrop that connects New York’s history with its future. The choice of location reflects Mamdani’s roots as a community organizer and his emphasis on bringing government closer to the lives of everyday residents.
While the midnight ceremony signifies Mamdani’s formal assumption of the mayoral role as the calendar turns to 2026, the official inauguration will take place the next day at City Hall Plaza. That ceremony, set for the afternoon of January 1, will be a larger, more traditional civic celebration attended by elected officials, community leaders and representatives from across the five boroughs. It will include remarks from Mamdani about his vision for the city and a series of acknowledgements for supporters and collaborators.
Mamdani’s transition team has described the two events as complementary, the midnight oath at Old City Hall subway station is meant to celebrate the democratic moment with immediacy and symbolic resonance, while the inauguration at City Hall will open a new chapter of governance with broader ceremonial pomp and community participation.
