Community Invited to Somerville 2026 Inaugural Events

As Somerville embarks on the next legislative term, Mayor-Elect Jake Wilson, the Somerville City Council, and the Somerville School Committee invite the community to attend the 2026 Inaugural events. 

Please join us for the Mayor’s Inaugural Address, remarks by the Council President and School Committee Chair, music, spoken word, and civic pride followed by a reception to celebrate our community and the launch of the new term.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

• Organizational Meeting of the City Council and School Committee, Friday, January 2, 10:30 a.m.
• Inaugural Ceremony, Saturday, January, 3 6 -7:30 p.m.
• Reception, Saturday, January 3, 7:30 -10:30 p.m.

Organizational Meeting, Friday, January 2

• What: At this brief meeting of the City Council and School Committee, the City Council President and Vice President, as well as the School Committee Chair and Vice Chair, will be selected, and all members of both bodies will take the oath of office. The public is welcome.
• When: Friday, January 2, at 10:30 a.m. in the City Council Chambers in City Hall (93 Highland Ave). 

Inaugural Ceremony at SHS Auditorium, Saturday, January 3

• When & Where: Saturday, January 3, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the Somerville High School auditorium (81 Highland Ave.)
• What: Hear Mayor Wilson’s inaugural address as well as remarks by the City Council President, the School Committee Chairperson, and honored guest MBTA Chairman and Interim Transportation Secretary Philip Eng. Emceed by Somerville resident and comedian Eugene Mirman, the program also features musical and spoken word performances, a Unity Invocation, and all electeds will publicly take the oath of office.
• Who: The full community is invited to this free event.
• What to wear? Festive dress is welcome, and you’ll see everything from black tie to blue jeans with many people opting for semi-formal or cocktail attire. Bottom line, everyone is welcome.

Reception at the Armory Saturday, January 3

• When & Where: Following the ceremony, the community is invited to a reception at the Somerville Armory (191 Highland Ave.) from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
• What: Live band, dancing, and DJ as well as refreshments.
• Who: The reception is open to all community members.

New! Kid & Teen Zone, Saturday, January 3 

• What: For the first time, the City’s Parks & Recreation Department will host a Kid & Teen Zone for the inauguration to help families enjoy the events. Games, activities, pizza (including gluten-free), and light snacks for ages 5-16 will be offered near the main Reception area in rooms provided courtesy of the Somerville Arts Council’s SomArt Space program.
• Where: The Parks & Rec Kid & Teen Zone is on the second floor of the Armory (191 Highland Ave.).
• Drop-Off & Activity Times: Open to families attending Saturday’s inaugural events, youth drop-off and registration will be from 5 to 8:30 p.m., and activities will run from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. 

RSVP (Optional), Interpretation & Viewing

• RSVP: RSVP welcome, but optional, for any and all events. Please RSVP to inauguration2026@somervillema.gov.
• ASL & Interpretation: The ceremony will include American Sign Language interpretation and live interpretation into Spanish and Portuguese. Interpretation into additional languages is available upon advance request by emailing languageaccess@somervillema.gov or calling 311 (617-666-3311) at least seven days in advance of the event.
• Attend, Watch Live Online or on TV, or Later On-Demand: All inaugural events are free and open to the public. The Inaugural Ceremony will also be recorded. Watch live or view later on YouTube.com/SomervilleGovTV and on CityTV cable.

For more information including directions, parking, interpretation info, and more, please visit somervillema.gov/inauguration2026.  

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.  

The City of Somerville can provide you with an interpreter in your language for free. To request an interpreter, please contact us at languageaccess@somervillema.gov or call 311 (617-666-3311) at least 7 days in advance of this event.

This event will be videotaped by the City’s GovTV team. Watch it on-demand with optional closed-captioning (select the CC icon) on YouTube.com/SomervilleCityTV. Or watch on cable TV at GovTV ( somervillema.gov/video) Comcast Ch. 22 and GovTV Astound (RCN) Ch. 13 & 613. Videos generally post within one business day of recording.