The National September 11 Memorial & Museum will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks with its annual ceremony at Ground Zero. The event will honor the 2,977 people killed in the tragedy. The ceremony will be livestreamed on the Memorial & Museum's website beginning at 8:40 a.m. EST, but the event itself will be closed to the public.

This year's ceremony will include a new seventh moment of silence, observed at 12:30 p.m., to honor those who have died since the attacks from 9/11-related illnesses or injuries. The first of six traditional moments of silence will begin at 8:46 a.m., marking the time hijacked Flight 11 struck the North Tower. This will be followed by the sound of bells tolling from houses of worship throughout the city.

Families of victims from the 2001 and 1993 attacks will read names, pausing for the following moments of silence:

  • 8:46 a.m.: Hijacked Flight 11 strikes the North Tower.
  • 9:03 a.m.: Hijacked Flight 175 strikes the South Tower.
  • 9:37 a.m.: Hijacked Flight 77 strikes the Pentagon.
  • 9:59 a.m.: The South Tower collapses.
  • 10:03 a.m.: Hijacked Flight 93 crashes near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
  • 10:28 a.m.: The North Tower collapses.

The Playing of Taps is expected to conclude the ceremony at 1 p.m.

Several high-profile figures are expected to attend. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has pledged to attend for the first time as mayor, despite criticism regarding his past remarks. Governor Kathy Hochul will also be in attendance. Among the most prominent expected guests are former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and President Joe Biden. Vice President Vance is scheduled to attend the Ground Zero ceremony while President Trump is expected at a service at the Pentagon.

Security measures will be in place, including a security fence installed by the U.S. Secret Service on the east side of the West Side Highway from Liberty to Fulton Street, and around the perimeter of the 9/11 Memorial site. Vehicular traffic will be restricted south of Canal Street to Battery Place and from Broadway to West Street starting Friday. All trucks will be banned from Broadway southbound, though the Hugh Carey Tunnel will remain open.

The No. 1 subway train will bypass the World Trade Center Cortlandt station. Invited guests will undergo security screening.

The Memorial Plaza will open to the public at 3 p.m. Following the ceremony, the annual 9/11 Memorial & Museum Tribute in Light will illuminate the sky from sunset Friday until dawn Saturday. This display will be broadcast nationally on Disney-affiliated channels and streamers. Many other buildings across the city and the country are also expected to illuminate their facades in blue.