How Cities Are Celebrating Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Stops

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

“And now therefore, I, Jerry P. Weiers, mayor of the city of Glendale, on behalf of our city council, do hereby proclaim that on March 17 and 18, 2023, the city of Glendale will be renamed Swift City,” he said in a ceremonial press conference to share the news before sneaking in a couple of lyrical references. “And all Swifties are encouraged to share their smiles that could light up this whole town on all the social media platforms because the best people in life are free.”

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

In celebration of the the three shows at AT&T Stadium from March 31 to April 2, Arlington went all out with fun attractions and events, from a new street called “Taylor Swift Way” to a pet adoption spree. They even gave Swift a key to the city.

Tay enjoyed her time in Tampa from April 13 to 15 as mayor of the city.

“Hey Taylor, this is Mayor Jane Castor. We are 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 illuminated their Gateway Arches, but here in Tampa, we’ve got a reputation to uphold,” Castor said of the stunts pulled by cities on earlier “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 has a nice ring to it,” Castor said as she opened up 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 revealed that the stadium Swift performed at from April 21 to 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 the name change, I know it’ll never go out of style,” Hidalgo announced in a social media video. “Plus, it’s not only the young that enjoy your music. I hope your stay is beyond your wildest dreams, and for everyone in Harris County, let’s get ready for it!” 

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

“For Taylor Swift,” reads the plaque. “A bench for you to read on at Centennial Park. Welcome home, Nashville.”

Music City also named May 5-7, 2023 — aka the Nissan Stadium Eras Tour dates — Taylor Swift Homecoming Weekend. To deliver the news, Cooper issued 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 tour performances at Nissan stadium.”

All Taylor, all the time! Radio station 96.5 FM (WTDY) in the City of Brotherly Love temporarily renamed itself to Ninety-Swift-Five T-A-Y in honor of the pop superstar’s shows at Lincoln Financial Field May 12-14. The station played music exclusively from Swift’s catalog during that period, and also changed its logos online and on social media platforms to reflect “Taylor’s Hits.”

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

The governor declared, with mock solemnity, the Taylor Swift Ham, Egg and Cheese Sandwich to be the “state sandwich of New Jersey.” This ends what has apparently been a rolling debate in the Garden State as to whether a ham sandwich should be called a New Jersey pork roll (which they call it in the southern part of the state) or a Taylor ham sandwich (the term favored in the northern part of the state).

Murphy’s proclamation was studded with Swift puns: “WHEREAS, New Jersey has a Reputation for great debates on whether it is Taylor Ham or Pork Roll; and WHEREAS, in honor of one of The Best Days, New Jersey is Enchanted to announce the Taylor Swift Ham, Egg and Cheese as the official State Sandwich of New Jersey and end the Great War between Taylor Ham and Pork Roll.”

Before Swifties assembled 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 are renaming Minneapolis to ‘Swiftie-apolis.’ As a singer, songwriter, performer and producer, Taylor is one of the most popular artists, and we’re expecting hundreds of thousands to visit our downtown and experience our city as a result,” he said.

Watch his announcement:

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

“Taylor Swift has enchanted and inspired Minnesotans and people all over the world,” Walz wrote in the Swift pun-filled official document that he tweeted out on Friday. “Taylor Swift will forever & always be a positive influence, setting an example with her truthfulness, grace, and strength of character.”

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

Bellevue’s Mayor Charlie Cleves told WCPO that the idea came from a text exchange between himself and the Director of Marketing and Communications Melissa Morandi. “[Melissa] texted me a story that Taylor Swift’s concert would bring in [millions of] dollars to our region. 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 replied back, ‘You mean Taylor Swift Avenue.’ I then replied, ‘Yes, I can make a proclamation making Taylor Ave, Taylor Swift Avenue.’ It exploded from there,” he told the station.

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

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

Liverpool prepped for Swift’s arrival in June 2024 by temporarily renaming itself “Taylor Town.” The city also unveiled a trail made up 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,” read a notice on the Liverpool City Council website at the time. “And to mark this musical moment for the ages, there are plans in place to give Swifties a proper scouse welcome.”

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

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