Taylor Swift is inarguably one of the biggest stars in the world right now. Swift sold out a record-number 52 shows across the U.S. for the Eras Tour, and she’s on track to become “Billboard Boxscore’s highest-grossing female act,” per Billboard.
With her entirely sold-out tour, Swift is making a splash in city after city, week after week, and each city has tried to welcome her in “style.”
Tampa, Florida, invited her to be mayor for the day during the Eras Tour, while Houston renamed its NFL Stadium to NRG Stadium (Taylor’s Version), in honor of how Swift has been rerecording her previous albums to claim ownership rights over them.
At a time when everything can feel so polarizing, it’s beautiful that cities can come together to celebrate something — and that something is Taylor Swift.
Here’s how each city has welcomed Swift during the Eras Tour so far.
Glendale, Arizona, dubs itself Swift City after Taylor Swift
Swift opened her tour in Glendale, Arizona, at State Farm Stadium on March 17. Swifties, the nickname for Swift fans, flooded the city to enjoy her first live performance on tour in five years.
“#Swifties, you belong with us! #SwiftCity is dressed like a daydream for opening night of #TSTheErasTour at @StateFarmStadium. Fans will be greeted by freeway billboards, fun signs and delicious themed menu items at local restaurants. Are you ready for it?” Glendale’s official Instagram account wrote in a post.
‘Welcome to Las Vegas’ sign glows red to welcome Taylor Swift
Swift headed to Las Vegas next, where the city known for bringing the party made the “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign “burning red” to make Swift feel welcome in the city.
“The one and only #TaylorSwift is in Las #Vegas! #ClarkCounty has a special welcome for her at our iconic ‘Welcome to Las Vegas’ sign,” Clark County Nevada tweeted.
The city also announced that “it would display a Taylor Swift-inspired light show at the Gateway Arches near THE STRAT” each night Swift was in town, News 3LV reported.
Arlington awarded Taylor Swift a key to the city
Arlington, Texas, offered Swift a key to the city and also temporarily renamed Randol Mill Road to Taylor Swift Way the weekend she was there.
“Arlington is participating in a friendly competition with other U.S. cities hosting the Eras Tour to demonstrate its ‘Reputation’ as one of Swift’s biggest fans,” the city of Arlington wrote in a press release.
In addition to the pleasantries, Arlington Animal Services held an adoption special in honor of the renowned and proud cat mom.
Tampa offered to make Taylor Swift mayor for a day
Tampa, Florida, really upped the welcoming games by offering to make Swift mayor of the city for the day.
“Hey Taylor, this is Mayor Jane Castor. We are so excited to welcome you to Tampa,” the city’s mayor said in a video on Twitter. “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. ... We want to go bigger. So I want to present you with a key to the city.”
Houston renamed its NFL stadium in honor of Taylor Swift
In Houston, Harris County Judge Linda Hidalgo announced the NFL stadium would be renamed “NRG Stadium (Taylor’s Version)” in honor of the musical artist.
Sharing a video filled with Swift song references, Hidalgo tweeted, “I’m so excited to welcome you back to Harris County this weekend, @taylorswift13! Long story short, we’ve prepared quite a surprise for you. We hope your stay here will be beyond your wildest dreams!”
Atlanta changed the city’s welcome sign to ‘A-Tay-L’
In order to welcome Swift to the southern city of Atlanta on Friday, “Georgia’s Own Credit Union welcomed the pop queen with a massive ‘WELCOME TO A-TAY-L’ message on its 450-foot-high sign Friday at midnight,” WSBTV reported.
Nashville unveiled a new bench in Centennial Park for Taylor Swift
Swift moved to Nashville when she was 14, and Mayor John Cooper told People magazine he and his office were excited to welcome her back, “recognizing Taylor Swift homecoming weekend.”
The city also installed a park bench in her honor in Centennial Park that references her song “Invisible String” where it says, “Green was the color of the grass / Where I used to read at Centennial Park / I used to think I would meet somebody there.”
“This honorary bench in Centennial Park is more than simply a place to sit,” Cooper told People. “It is a monument to Nashville and Taylor Swift’s long-standing relationship, and a reminder that she is always welcome back home.”
Philadelphia crafts new murals in honor of Taylor Swift
The city known for its mural art has already put up one mural in honor of Swift and her three-night performance in Philadelphia, Fox 29’s Chris O’Connell tweeted.
Reading, Pennsylvania, also put up a mural honoring the musical artist for her contributions to the state and to the music industry.
Taylor Swift receives Governor’s Citation from Massachusetts
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey is rolling out the welcome mat to Swift by issuing a Governor’s Citation chock full of Swift’s lyrics and references.
Healy tweeted the citation, saying, “Massachusetts...are you ready for it?”
“Welcome to Massachusetts — it’s been waiting for you. The Eras Tour has been a long time coming, but we’re ready for the weekend of our wildest dreams,” the citation read. “Thank you for making our Commonwealth shimmer.”
East Rutherford names a sandwich after Taylor Swift
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy declared that the “Taylor Swift Ham, Egg and Cheese” is now the state’s official sandwich.
“In New Jersey, we have a reputation for a great war between Taylor ham and pork roll. Usually, we let you call it what you want but since we have a superstar coming to town, we know all too well that we should commemorate the occasion,” Murphy said in a video he tweeted. “So today, we are declaring the official state sandwich of New Jersey a Taylor Swift ham, egg and cheese. Welcome to New Jersey, Taylor, we’ve been waiting for you and it would have been a cruel summer without you.”
Chicago animal shelter offers $13 cat adoptions in honor of Taylor Swift
Karma really is a cat for the Anti-Cruelty Society in Chicago — the shelter is offering $13 cat adoptions until June 4 to honor the famous cat-loving music star’s visit to the city.
“Stop by the shelter and SPEAK MEOW to adopt your FUREVER & ALWAYS best friend for $13,” the press release said from WGNTV. “We hope you’ll adopt your new LOVER next weekend, we know ALL TOO WELL how much joy & happiness they’ll bring to your life!”
Detroit Lions players share their favorite Taylor Swift songs
The players for the Detroit Lions shared their favorite Swift songs in preparation for her show coming to Detroit. Some of them must be real Swifties, because some of them mentioned some deep-cut tracks, not just the singles.
You might also notice that Ford Field, which shared the video, updated its Twitter name to reference Swift’s lyrics from her song “King of My Heart” that says, “And you move to me like I’m a Motown beat.”
Pittsburgh
Restaurants and brunch spots in Pittsburgh are fully prepared for Swift’s visit to the city, and many are serving special menu items in her honor.
Instead of making “a big cake, happy birthday,” Pittsburgh’s Oakmont Bakery crafted some specialty Swift-themed cookies for her arrival. Don’t bet on getting any, though, because they have already sold out!
“We’re enchanted to announce... Taylor Swift, The Eras Tour - (Oakmont Bakery’s Version),” the bakery wrote in an Instagram post.