Presidential Inauguration: When, where to watch, events, tickets

Barack Obama will be sworn in for his second term as president of the United States on Jan. 21, 2013, in Washington, D.C. The official Oath of Office will be taken at 12 p.m., followed by the Inaugural Address.

The occasion marks the 57th such inaugural in American history. The official theme for the 2013 inauguration is “Faith in America’s Future,” commemorating the United States’ perseverance and unity, marking the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and the placement of the Statue of Freedom atop the Capitol Dome in 1863.

Events of the 2013 presidential inauguration

Saturday, Jan. 19 - National Day of Service

Sunday, Jan. 20 - The President will participate in a small private swearing-in ceremony.

Monday, Jan. 21 - Inauguration Day - Swearing-in Ceremony, Inaugural Parade, and official Inaugural Balls.

Tuesday, Jan. 22 - Inaugural National Prayer Service, 10:30 a.m. Washington National Cathedral.

How to get tickets to the presidential inauguration

Tickets to the inaugural swearing-in ceremony are normally assigned within about a month or two of the inauguration date and may be requested from members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. You don't need a ticket to watch the inauguration or the inaugural parade, but you need tickets to enter some areas.

Be advised that tickets for the presidential inauguration are free, so if you find someone selling tickets, it's probably a fraudulent scheme.

Where to watch the 2013 presidential inauguration

A number of free live streams for the 57th inaugural will pop up online as the Inauguration approaches, but details on such video feeds have yet to be announced by TV networks, YouTube, the White House, and other entities that will likely host such streams. Check back as Jan. 21 nears for information and a link to a free official online live stream of the Inauguration, as well as details about what TV channels will be hosting live coverage of the events.