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By Mandy Taheri
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New Year’s Day will mark more than the start of a new year for those living in New York City, as it will also bring the swearing-in of a new mayor.
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, who will become New York City’s youngest mayor in more than a century at 34 years old, plans to mark the occasion with a celebratory block party on January 1, he announced on Sunday.
Newsweek has reached out to Mamdani’s press team for comment via email on Sunday.
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Why It Matters
Mamdani has shaken up New York City politics, having won the ranked-choice Democratic primary, prompting former Governor Andrew Cuomo to run as an independent and Mayor Eric Adams to drop out months later. Mamdani then beat Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa in November's general election.
He and his team have taken a less traditional approach for City Hall, using social media and community events to reach voters, especially young ones, directly and build momentum, including a scavenger hunt earlier this year and a recent “Mayor Is Listening” event in which he spoke with New Yorkers for 12 hours.
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What To Know
Mamdani will officially be sworn in as New York City mayor on January 1, with the program called “Inauguration of a New Era," set to begin at 1 p.m. ET. His transition team recommends people arrive outside of City Hall between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. to “secure a great spot and enjoy the music before the ceremony.”
For those seeking to attend the first inaugural block party, they should enter at Liberty Street. The accessible entrance is on Barclay Street. The block party will take place on Broadway, stretching from Liberty Street to Murray Street, at the bottom of City Hall.
There are 4,000 tickets for the event at City Hall, the New York Times reported, with the block party estimated to fit around 40,000 spectators.
The event is free, but an online RSVP is necessary. There will be no food for sale within the block party.
The program and party will affect some subway services in the area, with the R train skilling City Hall in both directions. W trains will not operate, and several nearby subway exits will be closed.
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and comptroller-elect Mark Levine will join Mamdani at the swearing-in ceremony on January 1.
Mayor Eric Adams held his swearing-in ceremony in Times Square following the ball drop.
What People Are Saying
Zohran Mamdani said in a statement: “This inauguration is a celebration of the movement we built, the mandate we won and the city we are prepared to lead. Working New Yorkers are at the heart of our agenda and we invite them to join us as we welcome this new era of politics to City Hall.”
J.C. Polanco, a professor at the University of Mount Saint Vincent, told CBS News New York: “Mayor Mamdani has a very interesting opportunity here. He can, in fact, reclaim a new day. He can bring about that young energetic, happy, youthful warrior to the scene on inauguration day, but at the same time recognize about half of the city voted against it and he has to unify the city. If he's able to do both on inauguration day, I consider that a success, celebrations and all."
President Donald Trump said in a November Truth Social post: "It was a Great Honor meeting Zohran Mamdani, the new Mayor of New York City!"
What Happens Next
The inauguration will also be available via livestream.
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