Donald Trump will be sworn in as president of the United States on Monday in Washington DC, which will be early Tuesday morning for Australian viewers.
Inauguration day will feature a formal swearing-in ceremony, a celebratory parade, and several formal balls.
Among those invited are world leaders, celebrities, and prominent Australians.
Here’s what to expect.
What’s the presidential inauguration?
It’s the formal ceremony that marks the end of one president’s term and the beginning of their successor’s administration.
A key part of the ceremony involves the president-elect reciting the oath of office. Alongside Trump, JD Vance will also take an oath before formally assuming the vice presidency.
Trump’s second inauguration day will begin with a service at the historic St John’s Church, followed by tea at the White House.
The main event will open with musical performances and remarks, followed by Trump and Vance’s swearing-in and the president’s inaugural address.
Afterwards, Trump will sign key documents, attend a lunch, and participate in a ceremonial parade.
The day will end with three inaugural balls.
A change of plan
Trump confirmed on Friday that key elements of the inauguration would move indoors due to expected freezing weather.
“There is an Arctic blast sweeping the Country,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social feed. “Therefore, I have ordered the Inauguration Address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, to be delivered in the United States Capitol Rotunda.”
The change of plan means Trump will not stand on the Capitol steps overlooking the National Mall, which traditionally hosts a large crowd to welcome new presidents.
The Rotunda, an ornate, round hall under the dome of Congress, can typically only hold a few hundred people.
The Rotunda, under the dome of Congress, can typically only hold a few hundred people. Source: Getty / Chip Somodevilla
Washington is forecast to be well below freezing on Monday, with gusty winds adding to the cold.
Preparations have already been made in Washington for a huge influx of visitors — including thousands of chairs neatly lined up on the Mall — but most will now have to watch on television.
Trump said supporters would be able to view the ceremony on screens inside the Capital One Arena, a professional basketball and hockey venue in downtown Washington that holds 20,000 people.
He said his presidential parade, which was set to involve marching bands and other groups proceeding down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House, will be switched to Capital One Arena. But it was not immediately clear how a parade would be organised inside the sports venue.
Trump said he would join the crowd at the arena after being sworn in.
It’s will be the first indoor inauguration since Ronald Reagan’s in 1985 which also fell on a day with dangerously cold weather.
In his post, Trump said that “various Dignitaries and Guests” will attend the events inside the Capitol, including prayers, the inaugural address and the singing of the anthem.
Who’s on the guest list?
Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Australia’s ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, have confirmed their attendance.
Among other Australians on the guest list include mining magnate Gina Rinehart, businessman Anthony Pratt, and PR strategist James Radford, according to Sky News.
A number of world leaders and Trump supporters are also expected to attend, according to Reuters.
This includes Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, Hungarian President Viktor Orbán and El Salvador President Nayib Bukele.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is not attending, despite an invitation, but is sending an envoy.
Billionaires Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg are expected to have prominent seats at the ceremony.
A four-day celebration
Over the weekend and on Monday, at least 18 inaugural galas are set to take place across Washington, including three official events that Trump is expected to attend.
Carrie Underwood, The Village People, and Rascal Flatts are slated to perform at the inauguration celebrations.
The swearing-in ceremony on Monday will feature country music superstar Carrie Underwood singing “America the Beautiful”. Credit: Charles Sykes/Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
On Sunday, the night before the inauguration, Trump will hold a campaign-style ‘Make America Great Again Victory Rally’ at a downtown Washington arena.
On Monday, Zuckerberg will co-host a reception for billionaire Republican donors, joined by casino mogul Miriam Adelson and Houston Rockets basketball team owner Tilman Fertitta, whom Trump has nominated as ambassador to Italy.
Meanwhile, oil and gas magnate Harold Hamm, a prominent Trump supporter, will host an inauguration watch party on the rooftop of the historic Hay-Adams Hotel, located near the White House.
The official inaugural activities will conclude on Tuesday with a national prayer service.
Who pays for the inauguration?
The official events are financed by Trump’s inauguration committee which is responsible for covering the costs of everything but the swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol, which is borne by taxpayers.
Trump raised a record US$106.7 million ($172 million) for his 2017 inauguration festivities. His committee has raised more than US$170 million ($275 million) this time, according to local media.
How Australians can watch Donald Trump’s inauguration
SBS On Demand has the PBS exclusive inauguration ceremony livestream, from 2.30am Tuesday, Eastern Daylight Time.
Or catch up later, also via SBS On Demand.
With reporting by Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
