U.S. President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden joined a large jubilant crowd in an open-air welcome concert here Sunday afternoon, kicking off four-day inauguration celebrations in the city.
Obama had taken a train journey from Philadelphia to Washington on Jan. 17, marking the beginning of the events leading up to his Jan. 20 inauguration.
The following are the inauguration-related events coming up:
MONDAY, Jan. 19
To honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., Obama and Biden will participate in community service activities throughout the day and ask others throughout the country to do the same.
In the evening, the "Kids'Inaugural: We Are The Future" concert honoring military families will be held at the Verizon Center in downtown Washington. Michelle Obama, Jill Biden and their families will attend.
TUESDAY, Jan. 20
4 a.m. (U.S. eastern time, 0900 GMT)
Washington Metro opens. Authorities recommend those who want to watch the inauguration on large screens along the Mall arrive no earlier than this time.
7 a.m. (1200 GMT) Parade route entry points open
8 a.m. (1300 GMT)
The National Museum of American History and the Smithsonian Castle building open two hours early for visitors.
Gates open for those who received tickets to watch Obama take the oath of office in the area closest to the Capitol.
10 a.m. (1500 GMT)
Inauguration festivities begin with a musical prelude on the west front of the U.S. Capitol.
11:30 a.m. (1630 GMT)
Official program begins. Biden will be sworn in and Obama will take the oath of office prior to noon.
Noon
Obama delivers his inaugural address. After the address, he will escort outgoing President George W. Bush to a departure ceremony before attending a luncheon in the Capitol's Statuary Hall.
2:30 p.m. (1930 GMT)
Inaugural parade will make its way down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to White House.
5:30 p.m. (2230 GMT)
The parade concludes.
Throughout the evening, there will be 10 official inaugural balls attended by Obama.
WEDNESDAY Jan. 21
Obama and Biden will attend a National Prayer Service at the National Cathedral, ending the series of inaugural events.
(Xinhua News Agency January 20, 2008)