Obama Presidential Center Opens With Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder and Other Stars in Chicago Grand Opening Ceremony
CHICAGO, IL — The Obama Presidential Center is marking its grand opening Thursday with a high-profile ceremony on Chicago’s South Side, drawing celebrities, dignitaries and the former first family. The event is invite-only, but fans can still watch a live stream and TV coverage throughout the morning and into the afternoon.
The celebration is set for John Lewis Plaza at the center’s campus at 6001 S. Stony Island Ave., with the public opening of the museum following on Friday, Juneteenth. Tickets for opening day and beyond are already sold out.
Star performers and big names on the guest list
Organizers say the ceremony will feature “legendary performances” and remarks from prominent voices, with a lineup that includes Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera, John Legend, Bono, The Roots, Common, Eddie Vedder, Jennifer Hudson, Marc Anthony, Tems, U2’s The Edge and Marsai Martin.
Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama are both in Chicago for the opening, and the guest list also includes former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. The mix of musicians and political figures gives the event the feel of a major cultural milestone as much as a museum debut.
How viewers can follow the opening from home
Those who cannot get inside the sold-out event will still have multiple ways to tune in. NBC Chicago is offering a live feed on its 24/7 streaming channel and app from 8 to 10:30 a.m. CT, with television coverage beginning at 10:30 a.m. and continuing through 1 p.m.
Telemundo Chicago is also streaming the ceremony from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on its app and website. The live coverage gives viewers a chance to watch the ceremony as it unfolds, even if they are nowhere near the South Side campus.
The campus arrives after years of anticipation and local preparation
The center spans an $850 million campus that includes campaign memorabilia, presidential artifacts, a Chicago Public Library branch, a full-size basketball court and more. It is designed to be both a museum and a broader public space tied to the Obamas’ legacy in Chicago.
Thursday’s opening has also brought street closures that began Monday morning and are scheduled to last five days. The affected roads include parts of Midway Plaisance, Blackstone Avenue, Cornell Drive, Stony Island Avenue and 59th Street as the city manages traffic around the celebration.
Comcast, NBC Universal’s parent company, is among the museum’s donors.
Chicago's music scene, one story at a time — Chicago Music Guide.
