Virginia’s eyes will be on Richmond this weekend as Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger takes the oath of office, becoming the first woman to hold the governorship in the commonwealth’s nearly 240-year history.
The theme of the inauguration is “United for Virginia’s Future,” chosen to reflect Spanberger’s hope to lead the state toward common goals. Spanberger’s inauguration team has planned events around the city starting Friday to mark the occasion.
Below, you can find information about what to do and where to go to participate in the festivities.
Friday, Jan. 16
Made in Virginia Market
17th Street Market
100 N. 17th St.
3–8 p.m.
Celebrations will kick off on Friday with a Made in Virginia Market including more than 40 artisans, small businesses and food vendors from across the state. Pusha T, one-half of the iconic Virginia Beach rap duo Clipse, will headline the event with a performance that runs from 7:35–8 p.m.
Also performing: ELONCE, a Richmond-based smooth jazz and R&B band; SynHERgi, an all-female band from Hampton Roads; Høly River, a musical folk duo from Richmond; and TeezySoDope, a hip-hop artist from Hampton Roads.
The market will include vendors selling a wide variety of goods including clothing, wellness products, children’s toys, art and food. Festivities will also include a “Made in Virginia Market Beer Tap” featuring local craft beers brewed throughout the commonwealth.
This event is open to the public and free to attend.
Saturday, Jan. 17
Inauguration of Abigail Spanberger
Virginia State Capitol
11:30 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
Spanberger will be sworn in as the 75th governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia on the South Portico of the Virginia State Capitol. Tickets for the event are no longer available, but you can watch VPM’s coverage of the inauguration live on VPM PBS Channel 23 starting at 11:30 a.m., livestream it online or listen to it on the radio at 88.9 FM, 93.1 FM or 107.3 FM.
The ceremony will feature several performances, including Hermitage High School’s Treble & Chamber Singers singing “Shenandoah;” Hampton University’s concert choir singing the national anthem; and ADAMS BEAT, an all-Muslim youth choir from Sterling, performing “This Land is Your Land.”
Former Virginia Supreme Court Justice Bill Mims will deliver the oath of office to Spanberger, and she will place her hand on her grandmother’s bible as she is sworn in.
The ceremony will conclude with a “Blessing Dance” presented by members of Virginia’s 11 recognized Native American tribal nations.
Inaugural Parade
Capitol Square
1:15–2:10 p.m.
A parade will run through Capitol Square immediately following Spanberger’s swearing-in. The inaugural committee is welcoming 26 groups from across the commonwealth to perform, including: members of Virginia’s National Guard, Colonial Williamsburg’s Fifes and Drums, the J.R. Tucker High School Marching Tigers (Spanberger’s alma mater), the Girl Scouts of Virginia, the Cultural Center of India Bollywood Dancers, the Crooked Road Fiddlers, and Exomundo USA and Democratic Latino Organization of Virginia.
If you’re planning to drive near Capitol Square on Saturday, expect some road closures. The square itself has been closed to the public since Jan. 11 and will remain closed until the end of the inauguration ceremony on Saturday.
Virginia Capitol Police announced that the following streets will be closed on Saturday until the end of the inauguration ceremony.
Starting at 7 a.m.:
• North 9th Street from East Main Street to East Broad Street
• East Grace Street from North 8th Street to North 9th Street
• Bank Street from North 8th Street to North 12th Street
Starting at 8:30 a.m.:
• Eastbound East Broad Street from North 9th Street to North 14th Street
Only event traffic will be allowed on the following roads:
• Eastbound East Broad Street from North 7th Street to North 9th Street, starting at 8:30 a.m.
• North 14th Street from East Broad Street to East Main Street, starting at 8:30 a.m.
• North 8th Street from East Broad Street to East Grace Street, starting at 12:30 p.m.
Inaugural Ball
Main Street Station
1500 E. Main St.
To close out the night, the new governor and first gentleman will host a ticketed ball at Main Street Station. There will be food, drinks and live performances representing Virginia’s diverse regions.
Sunday, Jan. 18
Executive Mansion Open House
Capitol Square
2–4 p.m.
Guests can close out inaugural weekend by touring the Virginia Executive Mansion and welcoming the first family. Visitors will enter the executive mansion at the Capitol Square entrance. Entry for this event is on a first-come, first-served basis.
“This upcoming inauguration is about the people of Virginia, not any one person,” Spanberger said in a release about the event. “As my Administration works over the next four years to bring people together, lower costs for Virginia families, and build a stronger future for our Commonwealth, Virginia’s Executive Mansion will be a symbol of all that unites us as Virginians.”
Spanberger and her family will live in the executive mansion over the next four years. It’s a tradition carried on by every previous governor of the commonwealth, making it the oldest continuously-occupied governor’s residence in the country.
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