The Obama Presidential Center on June 3, 2026, ahead of its opening in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
The great lawn and playground on the campus of the Obama Presidential Center, June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
A statue of President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama from the 2009 inauguration greets visitors on June 3, 2026, at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
A bust of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. displayed in a replica of the Oval Office at the Obama Presidential Center on June 8, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
The Obama Presidential Center on June 3, 2026, ahead of its opening in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Exhibits on participating in democracy are displayed in the museum at the Obama Presidential Center, June 8, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Green hills surround the Obama Presidential Center as the campus prepares for its opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Barbecue grills and tables are available for the public on a rooftop at the Obama Presidential Center, June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Tissues are available in an exhibit gallery at the Obama Presidential Center, June 8, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
The Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center, June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Some of first lady Michelle Obama’s dresses are displayed in the museum at the Obama Presidential Center, June 8, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
A worker climbs outside the building as preparations continue at the Obama Presidential Center, June 8, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
A wedding ring belonging to Jim Obergefell, a plaintiff in the landmark 2015 Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges that allowed marriage equality, is displayed at the Obama Presidential Center, June 8, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
The Forum building on June 3, 2026, as the Obama Presidential Center prepares for its opening in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
The Elie Wiesel Auditorium in the Forum at the Obama Presidential Center, June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Julie Mehretu’s “Uprising of the Sun” on the north windows by the escalators in the museum at the Obama Presidential Center, June 8, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
A miniature model of Janelle Monet performing in the East Room of the White House is displayed at the Obama Presidential Center, June 8, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Nick Cave and Marie Watt’s artwork “This Land, Shared Sky” next to a staircase in the lobby at the Obama Presidential Center, June 8, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
President Barack Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize is displayed at the Obama Presidential Center, June 8, 2026, in Chicago. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Alfred Coleman brings his granddaughters, Peyton, 12, and Alyah, 4, to peek through the fence at the Obama Presidential Center on June 8, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
The Obama Presidential Center is seen on June 3, 2026, before its opening in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
The Obama Presidential Center on June 3, 2026, ahead of its opening in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
The John Lewis Courtyard is visible from the museum at the Obama Presidential Center, June 8, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Tafari’s Kitchen restaurant, named for the late White House chef Tafari Campbell, is prepared for its opening on June 3, 2026, at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
The Obama Presidential Center on June 3, 2026, ahead of its opening in Chicago’s Jackson Park. The almost 20-acre campus includes free park and garden spaces. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
The Obama Presidential Center on June 3, 2026, as it prepares for opening in Chicago’s Jackson Park. The almost 20-acre campus includes free park and garden spaces. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
A visitor sits in the Sky Room as the Obama Presidential Center prepares for opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
A statue of President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama from the 2009 inauguration greets visitors as the Obama Presidential Center prepares for its opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Workers replace a glass window panel as the Obama Presidential Center prepares for its opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
The Obama Presidential Center prepares for its opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Artwork by Mark Bradford fills a wall between the garden and entry levels of the museum at the Obama Presidential Center as it prepares for opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
A replica of the Oval Office is on display as the Obama Presidential Center prepares for its opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
A letter from President George W. Bush to President Barack Obama is displayed in the desk drawer inside a replica of the Oval Office as the Obama Presidential Center prepares for its opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Exhibits encourage political participation as the Obama Presidential Center prepares for its opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
A stairway links the main floor with the garden level as the Obama Presidential Center prepares for its opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Visitors tour the Sky Room as the Obama Presidential Center prepares for its opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Campaign buttons from 2008 are displayed as the Obama Presidential Center prepares for its opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Some of Michelle Obama’s dresses are displayed as the Obama Presidential Center prepares for its opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Miniatures depict a Passover Seder in the White House from 2016 as the Obama Presidential Center prepares for its opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Exhibits are displayed as the Obama Presidential Center prepares for its opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Artwork fills the entry level as the Obama Presidential Center prepares for its opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Plants grow in the Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit and Vegetable Garden as the Obama Presidential Center prepares for its opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Exhibits from the 2008 campaign are displayed as the Obama Presidential Center prepares for its opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
A sensory exhibit invites visitors to touch a reproduction of the Shephard Fairey campaign poster as the Obama Presidential Center prepares for its opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
A sign is visible on a replica of the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office as the Obama Presidential Center prepares for its opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
The President’s Reading Room is prepared on June 3, 2026, inside a branch of the Chicago Public Library to open at the Obama Presidential Center campus. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Exhibits in the museum feature the 2008 campaign as the Obama Presidential Center prepares for its opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
A view from the Home Court shows the playground and the campus of the Obama Presidential Center as it prepares for its opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Workers prepare a slide on the playground as the Obama Presidential Center prepares for its opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
The Obama Presidential Center prepares for its opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
A statue by Richard Hunt sits in a courtyard outside a branch of the Chicago Public Library on the Obama Presidential Center campus on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
The Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center prepares for its opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Aidan Jacobs works in the Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit and Vegetable Garden as the Obama Presidential Center prepares for its opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
The Women’s Garden at the north end of the Obama Presidential Center prepares for its opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
A branch of the Chicago Public Library prepares to open at the Obama Presidential Center campus on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
The Obama Presidential Center prepares for opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Workers finish the parking garage entrance as the Obama Presidential Center prepares for its opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
A view of the campus from the Sky Room on June 3, 2026, as the Obama Presidential Center prepares for opening, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
The Obama Presidential Center prepares for its opening on June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
The Obama Presidential Center on May 6, 2026. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
The Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park, May 6, 2026. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
The Obama Presidential Center on Feb. 25, 2026. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
The quote from President Barack Obama’s commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the marches from Selma to Montgomery is seen on the exterior of the Obama Presidential Center Museum building on Feb. 25, 2026. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
Workers finish installing words from from President Barack Obama’s speech marking the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery march, on the exterior of the Obama Presidential Center Museum building on Feb. 17, 2026, (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
People attend a program inside Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, March 7, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
A woman wears a jean jacket adorned with an image of former President Barack Obama inside Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, March 7, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Work continues on the Obama Presidential Center on Jan. 13, 2026, in Chicago. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
View from the top floor of the Obama Presidential Library and Museum building on Oct. 24, 2025. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
Workers finish installing words from from President Obama’s speech marking the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery march, on the exterior of the Obama Presidential Center Museum building, Feb. 17, 2026, (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
Work on the Hadiya Pendleton Atrium of the Forum Building on the Obama Presidential Center campus on Oct. 24, 2025. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
Construction on the Elie Wiesel Auditorium on the Obama Presidential Center campus on Oct. 24, 2025. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
Words from from President Obama’s speech marking the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery march are being installed as work continues on the Obama Presidential Center Museum, Jan. 13, 2026. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
Construction on Home Court, the 45,000-square-foot multipurpose space on the Obama Presidential Center campus, is seen on Oct. 24, 2025. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
The Obama Presidential Center under construction and the nearby Woodlawn neighborhood on Sept. 24, 2025. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
A view from the steps of the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry shows the ongoing construction at the Obama Presidential Center, Sept. 8, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)
Construction continues on the Obama Presidential Center on June 2, 2025, in Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Granite panels are installed as construction continues on the tower at the Obama Presidential Center, June 2, 2025, in Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
The tower rises behind athletic fields in Jackson Park as construction continues on the Obama Presidential Center, June 2, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Construction continues on the Obama Presidential Center, June 2, 2025, in Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Construction continues on the Obama Presidential Center near the University of Chicago campus and the Midway Plaisance, June 2, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
The Obama Presidential Center rises in Woodlawn on Sept. 4, 2024. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Former President Barack Obama talks with workers while visiting the site of the Obama Presidential Center to sign a metal beam as the concrete infrastructure of the museum building reaches its full height on June 10, 2024, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Construction on the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park on April 10, 2024. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
Vehicle traffic moves past construction of the Obama Presidential Center in the 6000 block of South Stony Island Avenue, Aug. 8, 2023, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
The Obama Presidential Center emerges in Jackson Park, April 18, 2023. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)
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The Obama Presidential Center on June 3, 2026, ahead of its opening in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
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The Obama Presidential Center on Chicago’s South Side will kick off its opening festivities with a ceremony on Thursday.
The dedication ceremony is set to begin at 11 a.m. Among the planned performances: Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Christina Aguilera, Tems, John Legend, The Roots, Marc Anthony, as well as U2’s Bono and The Edge. Chicagoans Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Vedder and Common are also on the roster, as is actress Marsai Martin.
Nearby, the Obama Foundation is hosting a free watch party along the Midway Plaisance. The watch party is expected to have a “picnic-style atmosphere” and will open at 9 a.m. It will feature music, an art market, local food vendors and exclusive merchandise.
On Friday, the campus will be open for its first public tours, and free public events have been announced for the grand opening weekend. Here’s what to know if you’re going to the Jackson Park campus.
Watch live below:
