How cities celebrate the tour stops of Taylor Swift’s era

Mayor Jerry Weiers of Glendale, Arizona, 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 declare that on March 17 and 18, 2023, the City of Glendale will be renamed Swift City,” he said in a celebratory press conference to announce the news before throwing 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 every night before Swift’s shows on March 24 and 25 and showcased all of the singer’s albums.

To celebrate the three shows at AT&T Stadium from March 31 to April 2, Arlington has stocked up on attractions and events, from a new street named Taylor Swift Way to a pet adoption drive. Swift was even given a key to the city.

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

“Hey Taylor, this is Mayor Jane Castor. We’re so 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 Vegas lit up its Gateway Arches, but here in Tampa, we have a reputation to uphold,” Castor said of the stunts cities have pulled on previous “Eras” dates to make the stops a little more special. “We want to go bigger. So I want to present you with a key to the city.”

She also invited Swift to be the city’s honorary mayor for a day. “Mayor Swift sounds great,” Castor said as she opened a wooden box containing Taylor’s magic key. “We can’t wait to welcome you and your fans to Tampa (Taylor’s version).”

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

“I know the name change will never go out of style,” Hidalgo announced in a social media video. “Besides, it’s not just the youth who like your music. I hope your stay exceeds your wildest dreams and everyone in Harris County should get ready for it!”

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

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

Music City has also announced May 5-7, 2023 – also known as the Nissan Stadium Eras Tour – as Taylor Swift Homecoming Weekend. To break the news, Cooper issued an official proclamation quoting dozens of Swift’s song lyrics and 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 tour dates at Nissan Stadium.”

Always Taylor! Radio station 96.5 FM (WTDY) in the City of Brotherly Love temporarily renamed itself Ninety-Swift-Five TAY in honor of the pop superstar’s performances at Lincoln Financial Field from May 12-14. The station played exclusively music from Swift’s catalog during that time and also changed its logos online and on social media platforms to reflect “Taylor’s hits.”

Swift’s three-day performance at MetLife Stadium from May 26 to 28 prompted the state’s governor, Philip D. Murphy, to issue an official proclamation.

With mock solemnity, the governor declared Taylor Swift’s ham, egg, and cheese sandwich the “state sandwich of New Jersey.” This ended what seemed to be a long-running debate in the Garden State over whether a ham sandwich should be called a New Jersey pork roll (as it is called in the south of the state) or a Taylor Ham Sandwich (as it is preferred in the north of the state).

Murphy’s proclamation was peppered with Swift puns: “WHEREAS, New Jersey has a reputation for generating great debates over whether it’s Taylor Ham or Pork Roll; and WHEREAS, in honor of one of its finest days, New Jersey has the pleasure of announcing Taylor Swift Ham, Egg and Cheese as the official state sandwich of New Jersey, ending the great Taylor Ham vs. Pork Roll war.”

Before Swifties gathered at Chicago’s Soldier Field in June, Skydeck Chicago and Willis Tower lit up their twin antennas in different colors to match the album to celebrate.

On Wednesday, June 21, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced that he was renaming the city “Swiftie-apolis” in honor of Taylor Swift and her Eras Tour. “We are renaming Minneapolis ‘Swiftie-apolis.’ As a singer, songwriter, performer and producer, Taylor is one of the most beloved artists and we expect hundreds of thousands to visit our downtown and experience our city,” he said.

Check out his announcement:

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

“Taylor Swift has enchanted and inspired Minnesotans and people around the world,” Walz wrote in Swift’s pun-filled official document, in which he tweeted on Friday“Taylor Swift will forever always have a positive influence and be a role model with their honesty, grace and strength of character.”

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

Bellevue Mayor Charlie Cleves said WCPO that the idea came from a text message exchange between him and Marketing and Communications Director Melissa Morandi. “(Melissa) texted me with a story that Taylor Swift’s concert was going to bring (millions of) dollars to our area. I immediately called her and said, ‘This could be great for business in Bellevue because Taylor Avenue is only 1.5 miles from the venue.’ Melissa replied, ‘You mean Taylor Swift Avenue.’ I then replied, ‘Yes, I can make a proclamation making Taylor Ave Taylor Swift Avenue.’ From there, things 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 performances during the Eras Tour.

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

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

“One of the biggest stars in the world is coming to the birthplace of pop,” Liverpool City Council’s website said at the time. “And to mark this musical moment for the ages, there are plans to give the Swifties a fitting Liverpool welcome.”

Gelsenkirchen, Germany, paid tribute to Swift by renaming itself “Swiftkirchen” ahead of her three shows there in July 2024. The idea first came from a young local supporter named Aleshanee Westhoff, who symbolically erected the city’s first official sign showcasing the name change.

Swiftkirchen also revealed plans for “Taylor Town” festivities – including karaoke, tattoos, a marketplace and food – scheduled for the days of Swift’s performances at the Veltins Arena.