When is Donald Trump's Inauguration? Everything you need to know about the day the next President takes office

Hatty Collier20 January 2017

Donald Trump will officially become the President of the United States on Friday when he takes the oath of office.

It is 10 weeks since the Republican pulled off one of the biggest shocks in US political history by beating Hillary Clinton in the race for the White House.

The millionaire businessman – currently the President-elect – will be sworn in on Friday, January 20 2017, known as Inauguration Day.

President Obama’s time in office comes to an end at noon on the day when Mr Trump will be sworn in as America’s 45th president.

New leader: Donald Trump will officially become the US president on Friday (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
Getty Images

Here’s everything you need to know about the events.

What happens the day before?

President-elect Donald Trump and Vice-President elect Mike Pence will attend a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Ceremony on January 19.

A “Make America Great Again” welcome concert will be held at the Lincoln Memorial.

The Trump team have chosen to stick with the campaign slogan as the inaugural theme.

Victory: Mr Trump during his acceptance speech after the US election result
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

What happens on the day?

President Obama’s role

Under the terms of the 20th Amendment, President Obama’s second term will end at noon on Inauguration Day on January 20.

The first term of his successor begins upon the swearing-in ceremony at the US Capitol at that time Mr Trump puts his hand on the bible and take the oath of office.

President Obama will welcome his successor for coffee at the White House before the ceremony.

He will then escort Mr Trump to the US Capitol Building and watch him take the oath of office.

President Obama will attend Mr Trump’s swearing-in before the Obamas leave on the Marine One helicopter as part of a departure ceremony.

Staff will be frantically moving out the Obama administration's belongings ready for the new First Family’s things to move in during the ceremony.

First meeting: President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump met at the White House
REUTERS

The Oath of Office

Chief Justice John Roberts of the US Supreme Court will administer the oath on the steps of the United States Capitol Building.

Mr Trump will take the traditional oath: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) 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.”

Mike Pence, the Vice President-elect will take the oath shortly before Mr Trump.

From that point on, the US government is officially in the hands of Mr Trump.

Donald Trump - In pictures

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The inaugural address

After the swearing-in ceremony, Mr Trump will give a speech. President Obama’s previous inaugural addresses were about 20 minutes in length.

Entertainment

America’s Got Talent runner-up Jackie Evancho will sing the national anthem and the Radio City Rockettes dance troupe will also perform.

Set to perform: Jackie Evancho
Getty Images for Capital Concert

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir from Salt Lake City is set to perform at its sixth inauguration in a row.

The performances usually take place ahead of the swearing-in ceremony and in between that and the inaugural address.

After the ceremony has ended, the inaugural parade will take place. This starts from the steps of the Capitol, proceeding to the White House via Pennsylvania Avenue.

Mr Trump’s motorcade will travel within the parade with well-wishers lining the streets.

He will then attend a lunch held by Congress with Mr Pence.

Three official inaugural balls are planned. Two of them will be held at the Walter E Washington Convention Centre and another, the Armed Services Ball will be held at the National Building Museum.

What happens the next day?

The Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service will be held at Washington National Cathedral on January 21. It is a tradition dating back to Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s first inauguration in 1933.

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