Every person wishing admittance to the Inaugural Ceremony, including all infants & children, must have a ticket.

Tickets are color-coded to facilitate entrance to the ceremony. Entrance will be granted only at the gate indicated on your ticket. Ticket holders should use Metro.

Movement will be difficult inside the security perimeter. Please be prepared to stay within the perimeter and within your ticketed section for the duration of the festivities.

There is no official dress code for the swearing-in ceremonies.

It is typically cold on Inauguration Day—normally 37°F—and often wet. Expect to be outside for more than three hours, to stand in line, and to walk for long periods of time. Dress in layers and wear a winter coat. Consider wearing comfortable shoes, gloves, a hat and a scarf, and bringing a blanket.

Extra consideration should be taken when planning to bring infants, young children, the elderly, or anyone with a weakened immune system.

The Swearing-in Ceremony is an outdoor event held on the West Front Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Inauguration day is typically cold—normally 37° F at noon—and occasionally wet.

Extra consideration should be taken when planning to bring infants, young children, the elderly, or anyone with a weakened immune system. A vast majority of attendees will be in standing room sections and should be prepared to be on their feet for several hours.

Attendees should check the local weather forecast for Inauguration Day and plan accordingly. In the event of rain, umbrellas will not be permitted within the security perimeter. It is recommended that attendees bring ponchos or rain coats.

Discover more about Inauguration Day weather at the National Weather Service’s Presidential Inaugural Weather website.

There are no childcare facilities provided to attendees. Due to increased security and space constraints, strollers are not permitted on the Capitol grounds. Direct questions regarding the admittance of items required for child care to the U.S. Capitol Police at 202-512-1226.

The Swearing-in Ceremony is a outdoor event held on the West Front Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Inauguration day is typically cold—normally 37° F at noon—and occasionally wet.

Extra consideration should be taken when planning to bring infants, young children, the elderly, or anyone with a weakened immune system. A vast majority of attendees will be in standing room sections and should be prepared to be on their feet for several hours.

The Swearing-in Ceremony is an outdoor event held on the West Front Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Inauguration day is typically cold—normally 37° F at noon—and occasionally wet.

Extra consideration should be taken when planning to bring infants, young children, the elderly, or anyone with a weakened immune system. A vast majority of attendees will be in standing room sections and should be prepared to be on their feet for several hours.

Emergency Medical Teams are on-hand in the event of any medical emergencies. For additional information about permitted items for medical purposes (e.g. insulin), contact the U.S. Capitol Police at 202-512-1226.

Outdoor, portable restrooms are located throughout the U.S. Capitol grounds.

All ticket holders are required to pass through security screening, including handbag inspection.

Food, beverages, and other amenities are not available within the ceremony perimeter. Do not bring any food item larger than a small snack. Thermoses are prohibited.

Cellular phones are permitted on the U.S. Capitol grounds. Turn phones off or set to vibrate before the program begins.

Cameras are permitted on the U.S. Capitol grounds. Tripods and camera bags, however, are prohibited.

Large crowds are expected for the Swearing-in ceremonies, the Inaugural parade, and other festivities. Expect heavy traffic and road closings. Use the Metro.

No parking will be available on Capitol Hill. Public parking in Washington, D.C. will be extremely limited. If you are traveling by car from outside the city, park in a lot near a Metro station and take Metro into Washington. Expect heavy traffic and road closures.

Firearms and ammunition (either real or simulated)

Explosives of any kind (including fireworks)

Knives, blades, or sharp objects (of any length)

Mace and/or pepper spray

Sticks or poles

Pockets or hand tools, such as "Leatherman"

Packages

Backpacks

Large bags

Duffel bags

Suitcases

Thermoses

Coolers

Strollers

Umbrellas

Laser pointers

Signs

Posters

Animals (other than service animals)

Alcoholic beverages

Other items that may pose a threat to the security of the event as determined by and at the discretion of the security screeners

The Washington, D.C. metropolitan area is full of culture, architecture, history and heritage. For information about and ideas for places not to miss, use the Visiting D.C. section of the U.S. Senate website.