How To Watch Donald Trump's Inauguration

(CBS NEWS) President-elect Donald Trump will officially take office Jan. 20, with an inauguration ceremony scheduled Friday at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. 

On Friday, Mr. Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence will be sworn in surrounded by members of Congress, the Supreme Court justices, their family, and other invited guests at the ceremony, which begins at 9:30 a.m. ET and will take place on the western side of the Capitol. Musical performers, including singer Jackie Evancho and the Radio City Rockettes, are expected to start start at 9:30 a.m. ET. After much speculation over their attendance, all living former presidents and their families (except George H.W. Bush) will also be present for the event.

Opening remarks by religious leaders are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. ET, and at noon, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts will swear in the president-elect. 

Following the ceremony, the inaugural parade -- which will include 8,000 people from more than 40 organizations -- will begin at the Capitol Building and proceed down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House. 

Officials estimate 800,000 to 900,000 people will be in Washington for inauguration events Friday. City planners, the Associated Press reported, estimate that Mr. Trump’s attendance levels will be more in line with the 800,000 who attended President Obama’s second inauguration than the 1.8 million who attended Mr. Obama’s first inauguration.

The swearing-in ceremony requires tickets to the event, but spectators can also watch the inauguration from video screens set up on the National Mall. Tickets will not be required for general public attendance for the parade, though certain special viewing areas are reserved for ticket-holders. 

There will also be several featured events hosted by the Presidential Inauguration Committee (PIC) outside of Friday’s official swearing-in ceremony and parade.

On Thursday, Jan. 19, Mr. Trump and Pence will attend a wreath-laying at the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. That Day, the PIC is also hosting a welcome celebration -- the official kickoff of inaugural events -- at the Lincoln Memorial that’s open to the public. According to the committee, it will feature a diverse group of performers, including local school bands and choirs. Celebrities like Toby Keith, Jennifer Holliday, and 3 Doors Down will make an appearance at the concert, where Mr. Trump is also expected to deliver remarks.

On Saturday, January 21, an interfaith prayer service will be held at Washington’s National Cathedral.

At least three official inaugural balls are planned for that weekend, with special appearances by Mr. Trump and his wife Melania. The two main balls will take place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, and the Armed Services Ball will be held at the National Building Museum. 

Protests are also expected to take center stage that weekend, along with a bevy of alternative inauguration balls. Ninety-nine organizations are planning to demonstrate either for or against the event that weekend, with more than 60 of them scheduled to do so on Friday, CBS News’ Errol Barnett reports. 

Here’s how to watch Friday’s inauguration events: 


→ What: Donald Trump’s inauguration

→ Where: U.S. Capitol Building Washington, D.C.

→ When: Friday, Jan. 20, opening remarks begin 11:30 a.m. ET

→ On TV: CBS News, other broadcast/cable news channels

→ Online: CBS 58 will stream the inauguration live. CBS 58 will also stream Thursday’s events live. 

→ Online: CBS 58 will have live updates.

→ CBSN’s coverage begins 7 a.m. ET

Inauguration 2017 Schedule

Thursday, Jan. 19

Wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia

Welcome celebrations at the Lincoln Memorial, which include local school bands as well as celebrity appearances by Toby Keith, Jennifer Holliday, and 3 Doors Down

Friday, Jan. 20

Inauguration ceremony

Where: West front of the U.S. Capitol Building

When:

9:30 a.m. ET Musical guests perform

11:30 a.m. ET Opening remarks begin

12:00 p.m. ET Donald Trump is sworn in by the Supreme Court’s Chief Justice John Roberts

Mr. Trump will deliver his inaugural address after he his sworn in. 

The inaugural parade will take place following the swearing-in ceremony, starting from the steps of the Capitol to the White House down Pennsylvania Ave.

Three official inaugural balls will take place Jan. 20 as well. Two of them will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and the Armed Services Ball will be held at the National Building Museum.

Saturday, Jan. 21

Interfaith prayer service will be held at Washington’s National Cathedral

Share this article: