Grand Opening of Obama Center: Music, Celebs and a City‑Wide Celebration

Chicago’s South Side is buzzing with excitement for the opening of the Obama Presidential Center. The event starts at 11 a. m. on Thursday and will be streamed live for those who can’t attend in person. A wide array of stars, from Bruce Springsteen to Beyoncé’s bandmate Bono, will perform on the plaza. The center sits at 6001 S. Stony Island Ave. , a sprawling campus that cost about $850 million to build. Inside, visitors will find campaign memorabilia, presidential artifacts, a Chicago Public Library branch and even a full‑size basketball court. Former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will be in the crowd, flanked by other dignitaries. Past presidents like George W. Bush and Bill Clinton are also on the guest list, adding a touch of history to the festivities.For those who can’t get tickets—sold out already—the ceremony will be on NBC Chicago from 8 a. m. to 1 p. m. , and Telemundo Chicago will stream it on its app from 11 a. m. to 1 p. m. The coverage begins earlier in the morning and continues through the afternoon, giving everyone a front‑row view. The center will open to the public on Friday, Juneteenth, with tickets for that day and the following months already sold out. Visitors will be able to explore the museum’s exhibits, library, and other facilities after the opening ceremony. To prepare for the event, Chicago closed several streets starting Monday morning. Roads along Midway Plaisance, Blackstone Ave. , Cornell Dr. , and Stony Island Ave. were shut down for five days to accommodate traffic and security around the campus.