Inaugural Events Calendar

Below is a list of official Inaugural events established by the Presidential Inaugural Committee. To see a list of unofficial Inaugural events, visit Destination DC.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

 

We Are One: Opening Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial

Doors open: 8:00 AM

Event Begins: 2:30 PM

Location: The Lincoln Memorial, between Constitution Avenue NW and Independence Avenue SW on 23rd Street

This event is free and open to the public

Public gates open at 8:00 AM at the following locations:

• Public Entry A: Constitution Avenue at 19th Street
• Public Entry B: Constitution Avenue at Virginia Avenue
• Public Entry C: 17th Street at North Elm Walk
• Public Entry D: 17th Street at South Elm Walk
• Public Entry E: Independence Avenue at the DC War Memorial

The Reflecting pool area, JFK Hockey Fields and Constitution Gardens are open to the public and space will be available on a first come, first served basis.

 

Restricted Items for the Lincoln Memorial grounds for the Inaugural Opening Ceremonies:

• Firearms
• Ammunition
• Explosives
• Weapons of any kind
• Aerosols
• Supports for signs
• Packages
• Coolers
• Thermal or Glass containers
• Backpacks
• Bags and signs exceeding the size restrictions of 6" X4"X8"
• Laser Pointers
• Animals other than helper/guide dogs
• Structures
• Bicycles
• Any other items determined to be a potential safety hazard
  

Monday, January 19, 2009

 

Renew America Together: A Call to Service

 

On Monday, the President -elect, Vice president-elect, and their families - just like Americans across the country - will participate in activities dedicated to serving others.

 

To find out more about "Renew America Together" or find a service event near you, please visit UsaService.org

 

Community Service Day Lunch

This event is invitation only, and it will be pooled press. Please check www.pic2009.org regularly for updates.

 

Kid's Inaugural: We Are the Future

Concert for America's Children

Doors Open: 5:00 PM

Event Begins 7:00 PM

Location: Verizon Center

Please visit www.pic2009.org for more information about the event.

 

Bipartisan Dinners

 

Each of the three bipartisan dinners will honor an American whose lifetime of public service has been enhanced by a dedication to bipartisan achievement.

 

National Building Museum

Honoree: General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.)

Event begins: 5:00 PM

This event is invitation only, and it will be pooled press.

 

Hilton Washington

Honoree: Senator John McCain

Event begins: 5:00 PM

This event is invitation only, and it will be pooled press.

 

Union Station

Honoree: Vice President-elect Joe Biden

Event begins: 6:30 PM

This event is invitation only, and it will be pooled press.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Swearing-In Ceremony
Gates open: 8:00 AM
Location: US Capitol, West Front

No tickets are required to view the Inaugural Ceremony on the National Mall west of 4th Street.

 

Inaugural Luncheon

Location: United States Capitol

 

This event is not open to the public. Please contact the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies at (202) 244-2228 for more information.

2009 Inaugural Parade
Gates open: 7:00 AM

Event begins: approximately 2:30 PM
Location: Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

 

The majority of the parade route will be free and open to the public for standing room access. Viewing spots on the parade route are available on a first come, first serve basis.

 

Commander-in-Chief's Ball

Location: National Building Museum

Doors open: 5:30 PM

Event begins: 7:00 PM

Event Concludes: Approximately 12:00 midnight

This event is by invitation only.

Neighborhood Inaugural Ball
Location: Washington Convention Center, Hall D

Doors open: 5:00 PM

Event begins: 7:00 PM

Event Concludes: approximately 10:30 PM

A portion of the tickets will be reserved for DC residents. Visit www.pic2009.org for further details.

 

Youth Inaugural Ball

Location: Washington Hilton

Doors open: 7:00 PM

Event begins: 9:00 PM

Event concludes: approximately 2:30 AM

Young Americans age 18 - 35

 

Obama Home States Inaugural Ball

Location: Washington Convention Center, Hall E

Doors open 5:00 PM

Event begins: 7:00 PM

Event concludes: approximately 11:30 PM

Illinois and Hawaii invited guests

 

Biden Home States Inaugural Ball

Location: Washington Convention Center, Ballroom

Doors open: 6:00 PM

Event begins at 8:00 PM

Event concludes: approximately 11:30 PM EST

Delaware and Pennsylvania invited guests

 

Eastern Inaugural Ball

Location: Union Station

Doors open: 8:00 PM

Event begins: 10:00 PM

Event concludes: approximately 2:30 AM

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands invited guests

 

Mid-Atlantic Inaugural Ball

Location: Washington Convention Center, Hall A

Doors open: 6:00 PM

Event begins: 8:00 PM

Event concludes: approximately 12:30 AM

Maryland, Virginia, District of Columbia, New York, New Jersey, and West Virginia invited guests

 

Midwest Inaugural Ball

Location: Washington Convention Center, Hall C

Doors opens: 6:00 PM

Event begins: 8:00 PM

Event concludes: approximately 1:30 AM

Kansas, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Missouri invited guests

 

Southern Inaugural Ball

Location: DC Armory

Doors open: 8:00 PM

Event begins: 10:00 PM

Event concludes: approximately 2:00 AM

Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas invited guests

 

Western Inaugural Ball

Location: Washington Convention Center, Hall B

Doors open: 7:00 PM

Event begins: 8:00 PM

Event concludes: approximately 1:00 AM

Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Oklahoma, Guam/AS invited guests

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

National Prayer Service
Doors open at 7:30 AM. All ticketed guests should arrive before 8:30AM

Location: Washington National Cathedral

The event is not open to the public. The service is by invitation only and tickets are required.

 

The morning after the inaugration, a National prayer service with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joseph Biden, and members of their families will be held at the National Cathederal. The service will bring together dignitaries and Americans of diverse faiths to celebrate the previous day's events through prayer, readings, and musical performances.

 

 

For the latest information on all official inaugural events please visit www.pic2009.org