How Cities Are Celebrating Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Stops

Glendale, Arizona Mayor Jerry Weiers officially renamed the city to honor the kickoff of The Eras tour on March 17.

“And now, I, Jerry P. Weiers, Mayor of the City of Glendale, on behalf of our City Council, do hereby proclaim that on March 17-18, 2023, the City of Glendale shall be renamed Swift City,” he said at an official press conference to announce the news before dropping in a few lyrical references. “And all Swifties are encouraged to share their smiles that could light up this entire city on all social media platforms, because the best people in life are free.”

Sin City lit up its Gateway Arches each night before Swift’s shows on March 24 and 25, representing all of the singer’s albums.

To celebrate the three shows coming to AT&T Stadium from March 31 to April 2, Arlington is going all out with fun attractions and events, from a new street called “Taylor Swift Way” to a pet adoption frenzy. They even gave Taylor Swift a key to the city.

Tay enjoyed his time in Tampa from April 13-15 as the city’s mayor.

“Hey Taylor, this is Mayor Jane Castor. We’re excited to welcome you to Tampa,” the city’s mayor said in a one-minute video. “We know Glendale changed its name, Arlington made a street sign, and Las Vegas lit up its Gateway Arches, but here in Tampa, we have a reputation to uphold,” Castor said of the actions cities have taken during past “Eras” dates to make the stops a little more special. “We want to go big. So I want to give you a key to the city.”

She also invited Swift to be the city’s honorary mayor for a day. “Mayor Swift has a nice ring to it,” Castor said as she opened a wooden box containing Taylor’s magic key. “We look forward to welcoming you and your fans to Tampa (Taylor’s Version).”

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo revealed that the stadium where Swift performed from April 21-23 would be renamed “NRG Stadium (Taylor’s Version)” throughout the weekend. To add to the fun, banners with the temporary name were hung at the stadium’s north and south entrances.

“With this name change, I know it will never go out of style,” Hidalgo announced in a social media video. “Plus, it’s not just the young people who appreciate your music. I hope your stay exceeds your wildest dreams, and for everyone in Harris County, let’s get ready for that!”

Ahead of Swift’s three concerts in her hometown of Nashville, Mayor John Cooper unveiled a new bench dedicated to the pop star, with a plaque referencing one of her lyrics from “Invisible String”: “Green was the color of the grass where I used to read in Centennial Park.”

“For Taylor Swift,” the plaque reads. “A reading bench in Centennial Park. Welcome home, Nashville.”

Music City also announced that May 5-7, 2023, the dates of the Nissan Stadium Eras tour, would be Swift’s homecoming weekend. To announce the news, Cooper released an official proclamation referencing dozens of Swift’s lyrics, writing, “Long story short, Taylor Swift is a legendary musician, producer, and director” and “Karma is Taylor Swift coming straight home to Nashville to play three sold-out shows at Nissan Stadium.”

Taylor, all the time! The City of Brotherly Love’s 96.5 FM (WTDY) radio station has temporarily rebranded itself as Ninety-Swift-Five TAY in honor of the pop superstar’s concerts at Lincoln Financial Field from May 12 to 14. The station has been exclusively playing music from Swift’s catalog during this time and has also changed its logos online and on social media platforms to reflect “Taylor’s hits.”

Swift’s three-night game at MetLife Stadium from May 26-28 prompted an official proclamation from state Gov. Philip D. Murphy.

The governor declared, with mocking solemnity, that Taylor Swift’s ham, egg and cheese sandwich was the “state sandwich of New Jersey.” That ends what appears to be an ongoing debate in the Garden State over whether a ham sandwich should be called a “New Jersey pork roll” (as it’s known in the southern part of the state) or a “Taylor ham sandwich” (the preferred term in the northern part of the state).

Murphy’s proclamation was peppered with Swift puns: “WHEREAS, New Jersey has a reputation for stirring up great debates over whether it’s the Taylor Ham or the Pork Roll; and WHEREAS, in honor of one of the best days, New Jersey is pleased to announce the Taylor Swift Ham, Egg and Cheese as the Official State Sandwich of New Jersey and end the Great Taylor Ham vs. Pork Roll War.”

Before the Swifties gathered at Chicago’s Soldier Field in June, Skydeck Chicago and Willis Tower lit up their twin antennas in a variety of album-themed colors to celebrate.

On Wednesday, June 21, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced that he would be renaming the city “Swiftie-apolis” in honor of Taylor Swift and her Eras tour. “We’ve renamed Minneapolis to Swiftie-apolis. As a singer, songwriter, performer and producer, Taylor is one of the most popular artists and we expect hundreds of thousands of people to visit our downtown and experience our city as a result,” he said.

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To celebrate Swift’s sold-out concerts in the state, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz sent out a proclamation naming June 23 and 24 as “Taylor Swift Days.”

“Taylor Swift has delighted and inspired Minnesotans and people around the world,” Walz wrote in the Swift pun-filled official document he tweeted on Friday. “Taylor Swift is going forever “Be a positive influence, setting an example through your truthfulness, grace and strength of character.”

Before Swift had two sold-out concerts at the city’s Paycor Stadium, Bellevue renamed Taylor Avenue to Taylor Swift Avenue and put up a hot pink sign to celebrate.

Bellevue Mayor Charlie Cleves said OCPO The idea came from a text message exchange between him and marketing and communications director Melissa Morandi. “(Melissa) texted me that the Taylor Swift concert would bring millions of dollars to our area. I immediately called her and said, ‘This could be great for Bellevue businesses because Taylor Avenue is only 1.5 miles from the venue.’ Melissa said, ‘You mean Taylor Swift Avenue.’ I said, ‘Yeah, I can make a proclamation that Taylor Avenue is Taylor Swift Avenue.’ That’s when it all just exploded,” he told the station.

Mayor Lisa Gillmor announced on July 18 that the city would be temporarily renamed “Swiftie Clara,” and the pop star was named honorary mayor ahead of her Eras tour performances.

Ahead of Swift’s three concerts at Nilton Santos Stadium in November 2023, Rio projected a “Junior Jewels” T-shirt — inspired by the one the star wore in her 2009 “You Belong With Me” music video — onto the city’s famous Christ the Redeemer statue. The shirt was decorated with the names of Brazilian cities and states, with “Welcome to Brasil” written across the chest in a nod to her single “Welcome to New York.”

Liverpool has prepared for Swift’s arrival in June 2024 by temporarily renaming itself “Taylor Town”. The city has also unveiled a trail of 11 art installations inspired by each of the star’s studio albums.

“One of the biggest stars on the planet is coming to the birthplace of pop,” Liverpool City Council’s website read at the time. “And to mark this musical moment for centuries to come, plans are in place to give the Swifties a fitting welcome.”

The German city of Gelsenkirchen has honored Swift by renaming itself “Swiftkirchen” ahead of her three concerts in July 2024. The idea was sparked by a young local fan named Aleshanee Westhoff, who symbolically erected the city’s first official sign displaying the name change.

Swiftkirchen also unveiled plans for “Taylor Town” festivities — featuring karaoke, tattoos, a market and food — scheduled for the days of Swift’s performances at the Veltins-Arena.