If you’re trying to figure out what time is inauguration ball festivities, you’re likely looking for more than just a single clock-in time. Washington D.C. doesn't just throw one party and call it a night. It's a logistical beast. For the 2025 inauguration of Donald Trump, the evening was split across three official galas and a handful of massive unofficial ones.
Honestly, the "start time" depends entirely on which door you're walking through. Most official balls kicked off their programming around 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM on the evening of January 20, but the President and First Lady didn't usually make their grand appearance until much later.
When Do the Balls Actually Start?
The official 2025 inaugural balls—specifically the Commander-in-Chief Ball, the Liberty Ball, and the Starlight Ball—saw doors open earlier than you might expect. Security in D.C. is a nightmare on Inauguration Day. People started lining up hours before the sun went down.
For most attendees, the night "began" at 7:00 PM. That’s when the music started and the bars opened. But the main event? That happens when the motorcade arrives.
In 2025, the schedule looked roughly like this:
👉 See also: Why are US flags at half staff today and who actually makes that call?
- 7:00 PM: Doors open for general ticket holders at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
- 8:00 PM: Formal programming begins with musical sets.
- 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM: The window where the President and Vice President JD Vance typically rotated through the various venues to deliver remarks and share the traditional first dance.
It’s worth noting that the Commander-in-Chief Ball is historically the first stop. It honors active-duty and reserve military members. If you were looking for the President early in the evening, that was the place to be.
Why the Timing Always Shifts
You’ve gotta realize that Inauguration Day is a rolling schedule. If the parade runs late—which it often does due to weather or security—everything else pushes back. In 2025, the swearing-in ceremony was actually moved indoors to the U.S. Capitol Rotunda because of the brutal cold and high winds. This kind of shift ripples through the whole day.
If the President doesn't finish his afternoon meetings or the inaugural luncheon runs long, he’s not getting into a tuxedo by 6:00 PM.
The Liberty Ball and the Starlight Ball usually see the First Family later in the night, often closer to 10:00 PM. The Starlight Ball was particularly geared toward high-dollar donors and supporters, while the Liberty Ball was the massive, high-energy party for the broader base of supporters.
✨ Don't miss: Elecciones en Honduras 2025: ¿Quién va ganando realmente según los últimos datos?
Unofficial Balls and Their Schedules
Not everything happens on Monday night. If you were asking what time is inauguration ball because you’re looking for the "All American" or the "Turning Point" events, those have their own rules.
The All-American Inaugural Ball actually took place on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill.
- 6:00 PM: Platinum VIP entry for the buffet and mixer.
- 8:00 PM: General admission entry.
- 12:00 AM: Event conclusion.
Then there was the GW Inaugural Ball on Sunday, January 19, which started at 8:00 PM at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. It's basically a weekend-long marathon of black-tie events, not just a single Monday night dance.
What to Expect If You Go
If you ever find yourself with a ticket to one of these, don't show up at the time the President is supposed to speak. You won't get in. The security lines are airport-style and can take two hours.
🔗 Read more: Trump Approval Rating State Map: Why the Red-Blue Divide is Moving
Basically, if the invite says 7:00 PM, you should be standing in the cold at 5:30 PM.
At the Liberty Ball in 2025, guests were treated to performances by the Village People and Kid Rock. These sets are spaced out to keep the energy up while everyone waits for the "Eagle" to land. When the President finally arrives, the music stops, "Hail to the Chief" plays, and the room goes absolutely wild. It's a short appearance—usually 15 to 20 minutes—before they hustle to the next venue.
Actionable Tips for Inaugural Planning
If you are planning for a future inauguration or just trying to piece together the 2025 timeline for research:
- Check the Official Committee Site: The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) is the only source for "official" ball times. They usually don't release specific minute-by-minute schedules until 48 hours before.
- Vary Your Transport: Don't even think about an Uber. Road closures turn the "Red Zone" into a maze. Use the Metro; it usually runs extended hours for the balls.
- Eat Beforehand: Unless you have a VIP ticket with a buffet (like the Platinum tickets at the All-American), "dinner" at the balls is usually just light hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar.
- Dress for the Line, Not the Ball: Wear a heavy coat over your formal wear. You will be standing outside in January in D.C. for a long time. Most venues have a coat check, though the lines to get your coat back at 1:00 AM are legendary.
The night usually wraps up around midnight or 1:00 AM. By then, the President is headed back to the White House for his first night in the residence, and thousands of people are flooding the streets of D.C. looking for the one pizza place that’s still open.