Obama Presidential Center Opens in Chicago With Star-Studded Ceremony and Tickets Already Sold Out Until November

After more than a decade of planning, delays, and construction, the Obama Presidential Center opened its doors to the public in Chicago's Jackson Park on Friday, June 19 — Juneteenth — capping a landmark week for the South Side and the city as a whole.

A Grand Opening Like No Other

The formal grand opening ceremony took place Thursday, June 18, at the center's John Lewis Plaza, kicking off at 11 a.m. with a star-studded lineup that underscored the scale of the moment. Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Christina Aguilera, Eddie Vedder, Common, Marc Anthony, Tems, The Roots, and Bono and The Edge of U2 all performed. Actor and producer Marsai Martin also appeared as part of the celebration.

The ceremony was invite-only for dignitaries and VIPs, including former presidents and first ladies who joined the Obamas for the occasion. A public watch party at the Midway Plaisance offered ticketed attendees nearby a chance to experience the event live. For those who couldn't attend in person, the ceremony was livestreamed across multiple platforms.