Grand Opening: Saturday, June 20
Enjoy a free, open-house style event celebrating community, creativity, and joy. Dance to music on the plaza, create art with your family, and snapshot your place in this historic moment.
Important Information about Grand Opening Weekend:
Museum tickets are sold out for the Grand Opening Weekend. Plan your Museum visit (Opens in a new tab) for a future date.
Campus is expected to be very active during Grand Opening Weekend. You may experience wait times, so please leave plenty of time to explore.
Food and beverage will be available for sale at Tafari’s Kitchen and the Cafe as well as the Plaza, Fruit & Vegetable Garden Picnic Area, and Home Court Picnic Area
Saturday, June 20
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Spotlight Stories offer 15-minute tour experiences focused on specific campus landmarks.
Fruit and Vegetable Garden
10:30 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. | 1:30 a.m. | 2:30 p.m. | 3:30 p.m.
Learn about design, sustainability, and the power of rooting community in nature. Meet your guide at the Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit and Vegetable Garden.
Julie Mehretu and Alison Saar
11 a.m. | 12 p.m. | 2 p.m. | 3 p.m. | 4 p.m.
Join an immersive look at two new art installations: Julie Mehretu's Uprising of the Sun and Alison Saar's Torch Song. Meet your guide at the Women’s Garden. -
Host: Lizzie G
Lizzie G is a dynamic MC known for bringing unmatched energy to every stage!DJ Ca$h Era and Lizzie G
10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. | Plaza
DJ Ca$h Era and Lizzie G maintain a vibrant atmosphere on the Plaza.Black Hawk Performance Company
11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Plaza
Experience electrifying stories of the original people of this Native land through vibrant regalia, spellbinding dance and magnificent music.The Black Hawk Performance Company and the Little Priest Drum Group are sponsored by the American Indian Association of Illinois.
Mandala South Asian Performance Company
1 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. | Plaza
Experience a music, dance, storytelling, and interactive performance that fosters cross-cultural exchange.DJ Mike P and Lizzie G
2 - 2:45 p.m.| Plaza
4 - 4:45 p.m.| Plaza
DJ Mike P and Lizzie G maintain a vibrant atmosphere on the Plaza.Mucca Pazza
3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.| Plaza
Witness marching band traditions and street theater spectacle with rock and roll sensibilities. -
Button Making
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Democracy in Action Program Rooms
Color, customize, and make your very own button with Busy Beaver Button Company to commemorate the Obama Presidential Center opening.Screen Printing
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Democracy in Action Program Rooms
Create your own commemorative tote bag with artist William Estrada and his Mobile Art Cart.Cross-Stitch Workshop
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Democracy in Action Program Rooms
Participate in a collaborative cross-stitch workshop with Stitch Gawd and help create a dynamic artwork that will evolve throughout the weekend.Share Your Reflections
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Democracy in Action Program Rooms
Write a note to President and Mrs. Obama about your visit to the Obama Presidential Center.Face Painting & Bubble Artist
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Playground & Picnic Area
Enjoy face painting and bubble art by Wowzers & Chicago Bubble Show.Poetry Prompts
11 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Chicago Public Library
Join StoryStudio Chicago for drop-in writing experiences.Brain Builder: Book Bird
11 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Chicago Public Library courtyard
Join the Art Institute of Chicago and engage with the commissioned art piece Book Bird by Richard Hunt.Brain Builder: Bending the Arc
11 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Chicago Public Library
Join the Art Institute of Chicago and engage with the commissioned art piece Bending the Arc by Martin Puryear.Chicago Public Library
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Chicago Public Library
Join the Chicago Public Library for storytimes and button making with families and children.Reflections
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Chicago Public Library
Living Record will provide prompts to share reflections of the weekend to be included in a time capsule.Crochet Jump Rope
3 p.m. - 5 p.m. | Home Court
Join fiber artist House of Chelsea B for art making and double dutch. -
Garden Gatherings
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.| Fruit & Vegetable Garden
Urban Growers Collective will preview the signature outdoor program celebrating wellness and creativity. -
Let’s Play
10 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. | Home Court
Join a Sports & Play Clinic with the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, and Chicago Sky, including appearances by mascots and DJ Rul, DJ Will and Young Wayne.
Weekend Schedule
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Commemorate the opening of the Obama Presidential Center with our Classic Collection. Designed for versatility and built for impact, these foundational pieces are made to accompany you as you show up, speak out, and bring about change in your own neighborhood.

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