Inauguration Events and Times Jan. 18 - Jan. 21

The swearing-in ceremony starts at 11:30 eastern time.
Here is the latest information on all of the official events from Pic2009:

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18
Streamed online at HBO. 
We Are One: Opening Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial, between Constitution Avenue NW and Independence Avenue SW on 23rd Street

Doors open: 8:00 AM EST

Event begins: 2:30 PM EST

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

Renew America Together: A Call to Service
On Monday, the President-elect, Vice President-elect, and their families - just like Americans in communities 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 will be pooled press.

Please visit www.pic2009.org for updates.


Kids’ Inaugural: We Are The Future
The Verizon Center

Doors open: 5:00 PM EST

Event begins: 7:00 PM EST

Please visit www.pic2009.org for updates.

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 EST

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


Hilton Washington
Honoree: Senator John McCain

Event begins: 5:00 PM EST

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


Union Station
Honoree: Vice President-elect Joe Biden

Event begins: 6:30 PM EST

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



TUESDAY, JANUARY 20

The Swearing-In Ceremony
United States Capitol, West Front

Event begins: 11:30 AM EST

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

We anticipate large crowds. As such, we strongly encourage you to visit the official Presidential Inaugural Committee at www.pic2009.org for updates, directions and additional information regarding transportation and pedestrian routes. Text the word “open” to 56333 to receive official Inauguration news updates, transportation notices, and ways you can participate, whether they’re in Washington or in your own community.


Inaugural Luncheon
United States Capitol

Following the swearing-in ceremony, President Barack Obama, Vice President Joseph Biden, and members of their families will attend an inaugural luncheon hosted by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

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


Inaugural Parade
Pennsylvania Avenue

Event begins: While there is no official start time for the parade, it traditionally begins around 2:30 PM EST

The majority of the parade route will be free and open to the public for standing room access. Viewing spots along the parade route are available on a first come, first serve basis. A limited number of bleacher seats were available for sale but have sold out.


Official Inaugural Balls
A ticket is required for admission to each ball.

Neighborhood Inaugural Ball
Walter E. Washington Convention Center - Hall D
Doors open: 5:00 PM EST

Event begins: 7:00 PM EST

Event concludes: approximately 10:30 PM EST



President Obama Home States Ball
Walter E. Washington Convention Center - Hall E
Doors open: 5:00 PM EST

Event begins: 7:00 PM EST

Event concludes: approximately 11:30 PM EST



Commander-in-Chief’s Ball
National Building Museum
Doors open: 5:30 PM EST

Event begins: 7:00 PM EST

Event concludes: approximately 12:00 midnight

Vice President Biden Home States Ball
Walter E. Washington Convention Center - Ballroom
Doors open: 6:00 PM EST

Event begins: 8:00 PM EST

Event concludes: approximately 11:30 PM EST


Mid-Atlantic Ball
Walter E. Washington Convention Center - Hall A
Doors open: 6:00 PM EST

Event begins: 8:00 PM EST

Event concludes: approximately 12:30 AM EST


Midwestern Ball
Walter E. Washington Convention Center - Hall C
Doors open: 6:00 PM EST

Event begins: 8:00 PM EST

Event concludes: approximately 1:30 AM EST


Western Ball
Walter E. Washington Convention Center - Hall B
Doors open: 6:00 PM EST

Event begins: 8:00 PM EST

Event concludes: approximately 1:00 AM EST



Youth Ball
Hilton Washington
Doors open: 7:00 PM EST

Event begins: 9:00 PM EST

Event concludes: approximately 2:30 AM EST



Eastern Ball
Union Station
Doors open: 8:00 PM EST

Event begins: 10:00 PM EST

Event concludes: approximately 2:30 AM EST



Southern Ball
DC Armory
Doors open: 8:00 PM EST

Event begins: 10:00 PM EST

Event concludes: approximately 2:00 AM EST



WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21

National Prayer Service
Washington National Cathedral

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

Doors Open: 7:30 AM EST

All ticketed guests should arrive before 8:30 AM EST.

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

For other balls and events, visit here.

Obama Inaugural Youth Ball Relatively Cheap

Here's the last of them. See my sidebar for details on all of the inaugural balls and events.

President-elect Barack Obama will host a Youth Inaugural Ball, five Regional Inaugural balls, and a ball for his Home States - Illinois and Hawaii. Vice President-elect Joe Biden will host a ball for his Home States as well: Delaware and Pennsylvania. These balls round out the list of official inaugural balls to be held on Tuesday, January 20, along with the previously announced Neighborhood Inaugural Ball and Commander in Chief’s Ball. The President-elect and the Vice President-elect will appear at each of the ten inaugural balls.

“This is America’s inaugural celebration in every way,“ said Presidential Inaugural Committee Executive Director Emmett S. Beliveau. “Young people are more engaged in this country’s future than ever before and we want to harness that excitement by inviting them to participate in this historic occasion. In that same vein, we are hosting events to bring people from all walks of life and from across the country - from the President-elect and Vice President-elect’s home states, as well as every corner of the nation - to celebrate this country’s unity moving forward.“

The Youth ball is intended for young Americans aged 18-35 and will celebrate the inauguration of the new president and the role young Americans can play to serve their communities. Tickets will be available at a reduced price of $75.

The Regional Inaugural Balls are an inaugural tradition that President-elect Obama will continue, inviting guests from the Midwest, the West, the East, the South, and the Mid-Atlantic regions to their own celebrations. Tickets will be available to invited guests for $150.

To cap off the night, Obama and Biden will each host guests from their home states to a ball to celebrate their inaugurations with those who know them best - their friends, families and local supporters. Tickets to this event will also be available to invited guests for $150.

Additional details about the balls are below:

Youth Inaugural Ball - Young Americans aged 18-35; Washington Hilton

Obama Home States Inaugural Ball - Illinois and Hawaii invited guests; Walter E. Washington Convention Center

Biden Home States Inaugural Ball -Delaware and Pennsylvania invited guests; Walter E. Washington Convention Center

Eastern Inaugural Ball - CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT, PR, and USVI invited guests; Union Station

Mid-Atlantic Inaugural Ball - MD, VA, DC, NY, NJ, and WV invited guests; Walter E. Washington Convention Center

Midwest Inaugural Ball - KS, IN, IA, MI, MN, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI, and MO invited guests; Walter E. Washington Convention Center

Southern Inaugural Ball - AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, and TX invited guests; National Guard Armory

Western Inaugural Ball - AK, CA, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY, AZ, CO, NV, NM, UT, OK, GUAM/AS invited guests; Walter E. Washington Convention Center

Neighborhood Inaugural Ball - DC residents, additional guests; Walter E. Washington Convention Center

Commander-in-Chief’s Inaugural Ball - Enlisted active duty and reserve military; National Building Museum