For the first time in 20 years, an Irish American will hold the mayoral seat of Boston when he is sworn into office on January 6. Marty Walsh, a native of Dorchester, will become the 54th Mayor of Boston replacing Thomas Menino who has held the position since 1993.

In a tightly contested mayoral campaign, Walsh, whose parents are from Connemara in the West of Ireland, won by a slim margin in November against Irish American John Connolly.

The official inauguration will take place at Boston College’s Conte Forum and a crowd of 8,000 is expected to attend the ceremony. Walsh will be sworn in at 10 a.m and he will be read the oath of office by Roderick L. Ireland, Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.

The swearing-in will follow days of inauguration events, including volunteer service around the city. On the night of Jan. 6, the new mayor plans an inauguration celebration at Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center.

The evening gala will include performances by the Boston Pops Swing Orchestra, with conductor Keith Lockhart; the Dropkick Murphys; Blue Man Group; Ellis Hall; the Floor Lords; Zumix; Calypso Hurricane; Strictly Sinatra; Mark Morris and the Cat Tunes; and Boston comedian Steve Sweeney.