Inauguration 2026

The organizational meetings of the Somerville City Council and School Committee will take place on Friday, January 2, at 10:30 a.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall (93 Highland Ave.).  The City Council President and Committee Chairs will be announced. All are welcome. 

Saturday, January 3, 2026 
6–7:30 p.m. 
Somerville High School Auditorium, 81 Highland Ave.

Live interpretation into American Sign Language, Spanish, and Portuguese will be provided. Interpretation into other languages is available upon request. To request interpretation services, please email languageaccess@somervillema.gov or call 311 (617-666-3311) at least 7 days in advance of this event.

Both locations are fully accessible. For accommodations or questions, contact: inauguration2026@somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 ext. 2100

The Inauguration Ceremony will be livestreamed on YouTube.com/SomervilleGovTV and will be available on both YouTube and and CityTV channels. 

7:30–10:30 p.m.
Somerville Armory, 191 Highland Ave.

Following the ceremony, all attendees are invited to a community reception with live music, dancing, DJing, as well as refreshments.

Kid & Teen Zone (New This Year!) 

Location: Somerville Armory
Time: 5:30–10:30 p.m.

For the first time, the City's Parks & Recreation Department will host a Kid & Teen Zone to help families enjoy the evening’s events. Families taking part in the evening's festivities can drop by the Kid & Teen Zone for games, activities, pizza (including a gluten-free option), and light snacks for ages 5 to 16 between 5:30 and 10:30 p.m.

Drop-off will be open for families attending inaugural events from 5 - 8:30 p.m. 

Space for the Kid & Teen Zone is courtesy of the Somerville Arts Council's SomArt Space program. RSVPs are encouraged but not required. RSVP to inauguration2026@somervillema.gov. 
 

HP Accessible Spots 
Accessible parking spots are located on the SHS Concourse, the City Hall Concourse, and in front of the Armory

Somerville High School Parking

• On Street Parking
  • Parking is available on main streets, neighborhood side roads (parking permit requirements will be relaxed for the evening), or off-site at overflow lots. Please also consider carpooling. 
• High School Overflow Parking 
  • The Homans Lot on Medford Street in Gilman Square by the T Stop
  • SHS Concourse at 81 Highland Ave. offers a limited number of spaces. City Hall Concourse access will be restricted.
  • Dormition Greek Church Lot, 29 Central St. The full lot at 29 Central St. is open for Inaugural parking 4 p.m. to midnight and will be served by free shuttles. 

Armory Parking

• The Armory parking lot behind the building is open to the public. 
• Armory Overflow Parking at St. Catherine’s 75 Belmont St. will be open 4 p.m. to midnight and connected via free shuttle service. 
• On Street Parking can be found on Highland Ave. and neighborhood side streets (parking permit requirements will be relaxed for the evening). 
• Shuttle service will run between the High School and the Armory, so if you park for the Ceremony near the High School, consider using the shuttles to get to the Reception and back, rather than reparking near the Armory. 

Free Shuttle Service

• Free shuttles will run continuous loops between overflow lots, Somerville High School, and the Armory at key points throughout the evening.
• Before the Ceremony: Overflow Lot → Somerville High School
  • Approximately 5–6 p.m.
  • Loop includes: 29 Central St. → Somerville High School at 81 Highland Ave. 
• After the Ceremony: Somerville High School → Armory (and back to Overflow Lots)
  • Approximately 7:30-8:30 p.m.
  • Somerville High School ↔ Armory loop 
  • Somerville High School → overflow parking loop (29 Central St. and 75 Belmont St.) 
• During/After the Reception: 
  • Approximately 7:30 –11:30 p.m.
  • Armory ↔ Somerville High School ↔ Overflow Lots
  • Shuttles will run a four-stop loop: Armory → SHS → 29 Central St. → 75 Belmont St
  • Shuttles will also run a short loop between the Armory and 75 Belmont. 

Encouraged: Public Transit, Walking, Biking, and Carpooling

• Due to limited parking near Somerville High School and the Armory, attendees are strongly encouraged to:
  • Take the MBTA (bus routes serving Highland Avenue and nearby corridors)
    Carpool if driving
  • Walk or bike if able (please use bike racks and follow posted instructions)
  • Consider parking further away if able to leave closer spots for those who need them more.

Ride-Share / Drop-Off
Attendees using ride-share or being dropped off should plan for congestion and allow extra time. Please follow onsite staff direction and posted wayfinding signage.