Donald Trump made his name with opulent hotels and a dramatic reality TV show. But his inauguration on Friday, Jan. 20, as the nation’s 45th president is shaping up as a more understated affair, with big names in entertainment staying away.

Also staying away are more than 50 Congressional Democrats who plan to boycott in protest of the New York businessman’s policies and repeated criticism of legendary civil rights activist Rep. John Lewis of Georgia. Among the three Virginia lawmakers boycotting is freshman Rep. A. Donald McEachin, who represents Richmond.

Like those who came before him, President-elect Trump will take his oath on the steps of the U.S. Capitol building and lead a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue, but there will be fewer members of Congress, official balls and less glitz and celebrity talent to welcome in the new president.

Rep. Lewis made headlines during the weekend for challenging Mr. Trump’s legitimacy to be the next president and erroneously claiming that Mr. Trump’s inauguration would be the first he will have missed since coming to Congress three decades ago.

In fact, Rep. Lewis skipped President George W. Bush’s inauguration in 2001.

Mr. Trump struck on Tuesday morning, as is typical, on Twitter: “WRONG (or lie)!” the president-elect tweeted, citing a 2001 Washington Post report that noted Rep. Lewis had skipped the Bush inauguration.

Rep. Lewis’ office on Tuesday confirmed that the congressman had missed President Bush’s swearing-in.

“His absence at that time was also a form of dissent,” said spokeswoman Brenda Jones. “He did not believe the outcome of that election, including the controversies around the results in Florida and the unprecedented intervention of the U.S. Supreme Court, reflected a free, fair and open democratic process.”

Rep. Lewis told NBC News during the weekend that he is skipping inaugural events for Mr. Trump because he didn’t view Mr. Trump as a legitimate president.

“I think the Russians participated in helping this man get elected. And they helped destroy the candidacy of Hillary Clinton,” Rep. Lewis said in an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press’ that aired Sunday.

His comments drew angry weekend tweets from Mr. Trump, who wrote that “rather than falsely complaining about the election results,” Rep. Lewis should focus on his congressional district.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, a Republican from Wisconsin, also weighed in, telling a Milwaukee Fox television affiliate Tuesday that Mr. Trump “won this election fair and square” and that Democrats were wrong “to try and inject some kind of claim of illegitimacy on the dawn of a new presidency.”

The number of Democrats boycotting the inauguration continued to increase, including many African-American, Latino and Asian members saying they won’t attend. However, top Democrats, including House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, will attend. None of the Senate Democrats have said they will skip the inauguration.

Trump spokesman Sean Spicer shrugged off the protest and indicated they would give away the seats.

But this year, several singers — including Elton John and Charlotte Church — declined invitations to perform at inaugural events. Mr. Trump, a New York businessman and former star of “The Apprentice” TV show, won with a platform that included promises to build a wall along the Mexican border, restrict immigration from Muslim countries and dismantle Obamacare.

Broadway star Jennifer Holliday of “Dreamgirls” fame said yes to performing, but backed down after a backlash from fans.

“You can’t really find precedent for that,” Jim Bendat, a historian who has written a book on U.S. inaugurations, said in an interview.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, singer Jackie Evancho and The Rockettes dancing troupe are among those slated to perform, although individual Rockettes will be allowed to opt out of performing if they so choose.

Mr. Trump’s inaugural committee has said it is intentionally avoiding top entertainers.

“We’re fortunate in that we have the greatest celebrity in the world, which is the president-elect,” Tom Barrack, inaugural committee chairman, told reporters at Trump Tower in New York last week.

“So what we’ve done, instead of trying to surround him with what people consider A-listers, is we are going to surround him with the soft sensuality of the place,” he said.

Mr. Trump is slated to attend three official galas. By comparison, President Obama’s first inaugural in 2009 had 10 official balls, which the president and first lady attended in rapid succession, typically dancing during each appearance.

President Obama’s 2009 inaugural events included a national day of community service on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, an interfaith inaugural prayer service, concerts, a luncheon and an after-midnight party at the White House for family, close friends and supporters, including Oprah Winfrey.

President Bill Clinton held a record 14 balls during his 1997 inauguration, Mr. Bendat said.

On Thursday, Jan. 19, a series of choirs and marching bands will perform at the Lincoln Memorial, followed by a concert featuring country music stars Toby Keith and Lee Greenwood and a fireworks finale. The event, to be broadcast live nationally, is dubbed the “Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration.”

Mr. Trump, who is entering office with unusually low approval ratings, has repeatedly pushed back against reports that his inauguration may be lacking in star power or have low attendance.

“People are pouring into Washington in record numbers,” Mr. Trump said on Twitter on Tuesday. “Bikers for Trump are on their way. It will be a great Thursday, Friday and Saturday!”

Officials expect about 800,000 spectators for the events, down from the estimated 1.8 million who flocked to Washington for President Obama’s 2009 inauguration.

Mr. Trump’s swearing-in ceremony will be followed by an inaugural parade featuring about 8,000 marchers from 40 organizations. Organizers said it largely will spotlight military and police units, but will include other groups, including the Boy Scouts of America and veterans organizations.

Units from Virginia include the Virginia Military Institute Corps of Cadets from Lexington, Fishburne Military School’s Army JROTC Caissons Battalion from Fishburne, the Caisson Platoon from Fort Myer in Northern Virginia and the Virginia Tragedy Assistance Marching Unit from Arlington.

Just 40 percent of Americans said they had a favorable view of Mr. Trump versus 55 percent who had an unfavorable view, according to a Gallup poll taken from Jan. 4 to Jan. 8.

At a similar point before he took office in 2009, President Obama was viewed favorably by 78 percent of Americans. Before taking office in 2001, President George W. Bush had a 62 percent favorable rating, according to the Gallup data.

“What is most likely to distinguish Mr. Trump’s inauguration is the number of protesters,” said Brian Balogh, co-host of American history radio show, “BackStory.”

The National Park Service has granted permits to protest for 27 groups. On Saturday, Jan. 21, the National Mall will draw what organizers estimate will be about 200,000 people to a Women’s March to protest the new president.

The Women’s March, which is expected to be the largest protest, is aimed at bringing attention to human and civil rights issues. Honorary co-chairs of the protest include actor Harry Belafonte and activist Gloria Steinem.