With the Obama Presidential Center set to open this week, the Chicago Sun-Times is answering some of the most frequently asked questions about the festivities planned for opening weekend and beyond.
How can I watch or attend the opening ceremony Thursday?
The Obama Center’s Thursday grand opening is invitation-only but will be live-streamed on Obama.org, as well as on The Obama Foundation’s social media accounts.
Who is performing?
The 11 a.m. ceremony is slated to feature several big names. Some of them include Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Common, Eddie Vedder, The Roots, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Marc Anthony, Tems, U2’s Bono and The Edge and actress and producer Marsai Martin.
How can I attend the Obama Center after the opening ceremony?
The center opens to the public on Friday, June 19, which is Juneteenth. Public events continue through that Sunday, Father’s Day.
Opening weekend tickets sold out in hours, and reservations for Illinois Free Days — Tuesdays — are sold out past October.
For those who did secure tickets, activities on opening weekend include:
- Performances and programs featuring Obama Presidential Center commissioned artists
- Storytime and hands-on activities at the center’s Chicago Public Library branch
- Double Dutch performances and crochet jump rope-making in the Home Court building
- Interactive experiences in the Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit and Vegetable Garden centered on growing food
- Talks in the center’s auditorium
- Guided and self-guided audio tours
- “Sports and play stations” at its Home Court athletic center with mascots from Chicago’s teams
What streets will be closed for opening weekend?
The city’s Office of Emergency Management and Communication is maintaining a list of street closures.
The schedule includes these closures:
From 6 a.m. June 15 to 6 a.m. June 19:
- Midway Plaisance, from Dorchester to Stony Island Avenue both ways
- Blackstone Avenue, from 59th Street to Midway Plaisance
- Cornell Avenue, from Stony Island Avenue to 57th Street
- Stony Island Avenue, from Midway Plaisance to 63rd Street
- Stony Island Avenue northbound, from 59th Street to 57th Street
- 59th Street southbound, from South Harper Avenue to Stony Island Avenue
From 6 a.m. June 15 to 11:59 p.m. June 20:
- Midway Plaisance, from Woodlawn to Blackstone Avenues
- Dorchester Street, from 59th to 60th Street
From 6 a.m. June 17 to 6 a.m. June 19:
- South Woodlawn Avenue, from 59th to 60th Street
- Midway Plaisance, from Ellis to Woodlawn Avenue
How can I attend after opening weekend?
Tickets are sold out for June and half of July, though the calendar has openings into November.
Tickets cost $30. There’s a $4 discount for Illinois residents, a $3 discount for out-of-state kids and $11 off for in-state kids. Tickets cannot be returned, transferred or sold.
CTA expanded service on the #10 route, which was renamed the #10 Obama Presidential Center/Museum of Science & Industry Express. Due to street closures opening weekend, the closest #10 stop will be the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.
Metra’s Electric Line runs closest to the center. The Red and Green Lines also connect to the #6, #15 and #28 buses which also run near the center.
What other events are being held through the summer?
In July and August, the center will host a series of talks, films and events for the nation’s 250th anniversary titled “You Are America.” It kicks off with a free Independence Day celebration called “The People’s Fourth,” featuring live music, self-guided tours and family-friendly activities.
Summer Garden Gatherings will be hosted in the fruit and vegetable garden every other week from July 12 to Sept. 20. A walk-run club for those 50-years or older called “At Your Pace” will meet at the center on Thursday mornings from Aug. 6 to Oct. 8.
On Aug. 4, an all-ages celebration of President Barack Obama’s birthday will be held.