Inauguration festivities set to kick off as thousands scramble for viewing spot amid last-minute venue change

Festivities kicked off Saturday ahead of the 47th presidential inauguration — as thousands of ticket holders scrambled to find a choice viewing spot after the last minute venue shake-up.

President-elect Trump is expected to arrive at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, and will host a Saturday night reception and fireworks display at his Virginia golf course. He’s scheduled to host a rally Sunday at the Capital One Arena, with performances by artists including the Village People, Kid Rock and Billy Ray Cyrus.

The eleventh hour decision to move inauguration indoors upended plans for thousands of ticket holders who had prepared to brave the bitter cold, but will now be unable to squeeze into the much smaller Capitol Rotunda.

The rotunda can accommodate only about 2,000 people — spots that will overwhelmingly reserved for members of Congress, government officials, members of Trump’s family and the most elite donors.

Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies said that the “vast majority” of ticket holders will be unable to attend the inauguration ceremonies in person, and suggested the thousands left out watch the events at other venues.

Trump announced the Capital One Arena, which can hold 20,000 people, will host viewings for the ceremonies.

“These tickets are now commemorative. Capitol One Arena will be first come first serve but there is no way that all ticket holders will be able to get in there. I know President Trump is disappointed but you can bet when the weather breaks we will have some great rallies,” New Jersey GOP Rep. Jeff Van Drew told The Post.

Some extra room may open up, however, as a handful of Democratic lawmakers such as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have vowed to boycott the ceremony.

The change of venue left some House members scrambling.

“We didn’t know what to tell people all day yesterday,” said one frustrated GOP House staffer.

But a top Senate side Republican said the issue had been worse for Democrats, who were more our of the loop from Republican “ecosystems” and often had no idea who to even call to get reliable information back to their people.

Workers for the architect of the capitol have been feverishly preparing the rotunda for the event, with just a 72 hour window to prepare the space for the historic moment.

“These tickets are now commemorative. Capitol One arena will be first come first serve but there is no way that all ticket holders will be able to get in there. I know President Trump is disappointed but you can bet when the weather breaks we will have some great rallies,” New Jersey GOP Rep. Jeff Van Drew told The Post.