A guide to Trump’s inauguration as 47th US President

President-elect Donald Trump is set to return to the White House on Monday after officially being sworn in as the 47th President of the United States.

The inauguration day festivities will feature a formal swearing-in ceremony, musical performances, a celebratory parade, and several formal inaugural balls.

Vice President-elect JD Vance will also take the oath of office, standing alongside Trump to mark the official start of their administration.

Trump is set to host a series of events in the nation’s capital to celebrate his second presidential inauguration. Spanning four days, the festivities will bring together donors, supporters, and members of his incoming administration.

When and where is the inauguration?

Trump is scheduled to be sworn in as the new US president on Monday, 20 January. The inauguration ceremony will take place around noon in Washington, D.C.

Due to harsh weather conditions forecasted for inauguration day, with temperatures ranging from -11°C to -5°C, President-elect Trump announced a venue change. Traditionally held outside the US Capitol, the proceedings, including the inaugural address and speeches, will now take place inside the Capitol to ensure the safety of attendees.

What happens at an inauguration?

The inauguration is the official ceremony that marks the end of one president’s term and the beginning of the next administration.

It serves as the most prominent event in the transfer of power between government leaders in Washington, D.C.

The central moment of the inauguration is the president-elect taking the oath of office, pledging to preserve, protect, and defend the U.S. Constitution: "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Trump and Vance will swear in inside the Capitol rotunda, using two Bibles — one personal and one historic. Following the ceremony, Trump will deliver his inaugural address and sign key documents.

The day includes a lunch hosted by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. In the evening, Trump will attend three inaugural balls: the Commander-in-Chief Ball, the Liberty Inaugural Ball, and the Starlight Ball.

Who will perform at the inauguration events?

Several artists are set to perform at various inaugural events. Country music star Carrie Underwood will sing "America the Beautiful" during the swearing-in ceremony. Lee Greenwood is scheduled to perform both at the ceremony and at Sunday’s rally.

Additionally, the Village People, known for their iconic hit "YMCA," frequently played at Trump events, will entertain audiences at Sunday’s rally and one of the inaugural balls.

How to watch the inauguration?

Inauguration tickets are highly sought after and typically distributed by members of Congress to their constituents. While free, they can be hard to obtain. For those unable to attend, the event will be livestreamed by the White House, and the BBC will provide live coverage on TV and online.

Radio listeners can tune in to special broadcasts on BBC World Service and BBC Radio 4, with additional podcast episodes available for coverage.