DJs, Dancing, Double Dutch and More Set for Obama Center Grand Opening
Obama Presidential Center three-day celebratory event kicks off June 19.
There will be music, dancing, food, art and sports among the festivities planned for the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago taking place June 19 through 21.
Earlier this week, the Obama Foundation announced the full schedule of activities that reflects the Obamas’ legacy from their time in the White House. The programming will offer diverse experiences connected to arts and culture, civics and democracy, gardening and food, and sports and well-being, the foundation announced in a press release.
“We are so excited to welcome our neighbors on the South Side, people across the city of Chicago, and visitors from around the globe to the Obama Presidential Center, starting with our free Grand Opening Weekend festival,” said Valerie Jarrett, CEO of The Obama Foundation in the release. “These celebratory programs are only the beginning of the fun ways in which we will welcome visitors to campus. We will foster a spirit of civic engagement and joy. ”
The grand opening week celebrations are just a taste of the programming that can be expected on the center’s campus throughout the year and into the future. Tickets to the museum are sold out for the opening, but no admission is required to attend the festival. Organizers are asking people to register for some events open to the public because of limited capacity. Visitors to the grand opening can expect:
Live entertainment, including DJs, musical groups, and dance performances on the Plaza;
Family-friendly activities throughout the campus, such as face painting, art making, and photo booths;
Performances and programs featuring Obama Presidential Center commissioned artists;
A variety of food available for purchase in its restaurant, cafe, and pop-up stations across campus;
Storytime and hands-on activities at the Center’s Chicago Public Library branch;
Sports and play stations at the Home Court athletic center led by Chicago’s professional sports teams and their mascots, including the Chicago Bears, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Fire FC, Chicago Sky, Chicago Stars FC, Chicago White Sox;
Double Dutch performances and hands-on crochet jump rope making in Home Court;
Drop-in interactive experiences in the Fruit and Vegetable Garden, in partnership with Urban Growers Collective, centered on growing food, holistic well-being, and multi-sensory explorations, for visitors of all ages;
Talks in the Center’s auditorium, where attendees can engage with changemakers, thought leaders, and special guests about a variety topics including arts, culture, and democracy; and
Guided and self-guided audio tours of campus.
Future programming at the Center in 2026 will include throughout July and August, its “You Are America” summer series of talks, films, and community events honoring the 250th anniversary of America. The series will kick off with a free Independence Day celebration “The People’s Fourth,” featuring live music, self-guided tours, and family-friendly activities across the campus.
From July 12 to September 20, Summer Garden Gatherings will be hosted in the Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit and Vegetable Garden every other week in partnership with Urban Growers Collective.
To celebrate President Obama’s birthday on August 4, the center will host an all-ages celebration with a karaoke DJ set that will invite visitors to join the experience by singing classics from soul, R&B, and contemporary music.
Also, At Your Pace, the Center’s local walk-run club led by Peace Runners 773, will encourage physical activity, healthy habits and social connection through guided wellness activities, designed by and for our South Side community. This walk-run club is a 10-week registration-based program for adults age 50 and older that will meet weekly Thursday mornings from August 6 to October 8.
The center is also expected to host talks, performances, and special program experiences featuring thought leaders, creatives, and Obama Presidential Center commissioned artists.
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