Everything you need to know about the inaugural – official and otherwise – from Thursday’s wreath-laying to a Saturday evening ball for Planned Parenthood

Donald Trump’s inauguration is quickly approaching as he prepares to be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. Thousands will flock to the Capitol to watch the events in person – or participate in protests against them.

Thursday 19 January

Inauguration events begin on Thursday, with a wreath-laying ceremony featuring the president-elect at Arlington National Cemetery scheduled for 3.30pm before “Welcome Celebrations” at the Lincoln Memorial, billed as the “official kick-off to the inaugural events”, according to the Presidential Inaugural Committee website.

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The welcome celebrations will have two components. “Voices of the people”, featuring groups who applied to take part in the inauguration, will begin at 10.35am. It will be followed by the “Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration”, which will be televised live and last from 4pm to 6pm. According to a release, the latter celebration will feature “historic remarks” from Trump, as well as “special appearances” – ending the president-elect’s apparent struggle to lure any major names to his events. The leading country artist Toby Keith and southern rock band 3 Doors Down will perform.

Numerous unofficial galas and balls will take place, both celebrating Trump and saying goodbye to Obama (though attendees be warned: you may have trouble finding a “great dress” to wear if you haven’t bought one already, the president-elect told the New York Times). Some are planned for inauguration eve. The country band Big & Rich will perform at the Great America Alliance Inaugural Gala, Rolling Stone reported. The DeploraBall will include an event on Thursday at the National Press Club as well as a gala event on Friday at the William F Bolger Center in Potomac, Maryland. At the Garden State Presidential Inaugural Gala, hosted by the New Jersey State Society, the B Street Band, a Bruce Springsteen tribute band, was slated to play – but they’ve since bowed out of the event.

Peace Ball, organized by Busboys and Poets, will be held at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and “What To DO When You’re Expecting The WORST”, hosted by Jezebel and Fusion, at the Josephine Butler Parks Center, according to the Washington Post.

On Facebook, more than 40,000 people have said they will attend a “Thanks, Obama” event on his last day in office. The original idea was for attendees to gather outside the White House and clap to show their appreciation for the outgoing president, but because of inauguration logistics, the event has moved to a private venue in the district, DCist reported.

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Also on Thursday evening: Common, the National, and others will perform at “Show Up!”, an event supporting Planned Parenthood.

Friday 20 January

Trump will began the big day by having coffee with Barack Obama. Then he will go to a service at St John’s church, according to NBC Washington.

Ahead of the swearing-in, security screening gates will open to the public at 6am. Ticket holders will enter one of six areas, depending on the color of their ticket, according to the joint congressional committee on inaugural ceremonies (JCCIC). Caution: selfie sticks are prohibited (and a bunch of other items too).

JCCIC (@JCCIC) Attending #inauguration2017? Logistical information for the 58th Presidential Inauguration can be found: https://t.co/VGmlVuVTee pic.twitter.com/i7q7IYJfIx

At the swearing-in ceremony on the west side of the US Capitol, the United States Marine Band will play first, according to the inauguration program. The ceremony will begin at 11.30am, with readings by faith leaders and remarks from the Missouri senator Roy Blunt, chairman of the JCCIC. The Missouri State University Chorale will play before Mike Pence takes the oath of office, followed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Trump will be sworn in around noon, with the oath of office administered by Chief Justice John Roberts, followed by Trump’s inaugural address and additional readings. Jackie Evancho, 16, who rose to fame on the TV show America’s Got Talent, will sing the national anthem. A few notable, anticipated attendees include Rosalynn Carter, Jimmy Carter, Laura Bush, George W Bush, Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton.

The JCCIC has planned the traditional inaugural luncheon, to take place in National Statuary Hall at the Capitol. Four years ago, Obama and guests dined on steamed lobster and hickory grilled bison. The menu for this year’s luncheon includes Maine Lobster and Gulf Shrimp, Seven Hills Angus Beef, and chocolate soufflé and cherry vanilla ice cream for dessert.

The inaugural parade will take place following the swearing-in ceremony. There has been some controversy over a few of the groups slated to perform, including the marching band from Talladega College, a historically black college in Alabama, and the Marist College Band, from Poughkeepsie, New York. Additional college and high school bands and other groups from around the country will participate, as well as national groups such as the Boy Scouts of America, Wounded Warrior Project, and representatives from each military branch, to name a few.

The Trumps and Pences will attend three official inaugural balls, according to the Presidential Inaugural Committee. Two, titled “Liberty and Freedom: The Official Presidential Inaugural Balls”, will be held at the Walter E Washington Convention Center, with Sam Moore, the Piano Guys and the Rockettes listed among the performers. The Salute To Our Armed Services Ball will take place at the National Building Museum.

Unofficial events are also planned for Friday evening. The Creative Coalition has hosted a bipartisan inauguration night gala fundraiser for the past 20 years, and this year is no different. It lists a number of celebrity hosts, including the actors Tim Daly, John Leguizamo and Christina Hendricks. The Great Gatsby Presidential Inaugural Ball, hosted by Dardanella, a party company, will take place at the National Portrait Gallery. Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington will host its Pink Ball at the Carol Whitehill Moses Center, and the the Anti-Inauguration will take place at the Lincoln Theatre, according to the Washington Post.

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The Answer (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) Coalition is planning a protest for 7am on the 20th, to be held at Freedom Plaza in Washington DC. #DisruptJ20 says it will hold a few events on the 20th, including a Festival of Resistance, which will march from Union Station to McPherson Square; other protests are also planned.

Saturday 21 January

At Washington’s national cathedral, an interfaith prayer service will be held.

The Women’s March on Washington will take place on Saturday, with numerous “sister marches” held around the country and around the world. More than 200,000 people are expected to participate in the mass demonstration the day after Trump’s inauguration. The event in Washington will start at 10am at the intersection of Independence Avenue and Third Street SW, near the US Capitol. March organizers announced a lengthy list of speakers for the event including: Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America; television host Janet Mock; Rhea Suh, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council; activist Angela Davis; actors America Ferrera and Scarlett Johansson; and many, many more. There will also be performances by Janelle Monae and Maxwell, among others.

That evening, the Anti-Ball, a benefit concert for Planned Parenthood, will occur at the Black Cat.