Obama Foundation has announced a major lineup of performers for the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, with the official dedication ceremony set for June 18. The invite-only event will bring together some of the world’s biggest music artists for a special celebration marking the opening of the landmark site.
The performance list includes legendary and global names such as Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Bono and The Edge of U2, Eddie Vedder, Jennifer Hudson, Christina Aguilera, Common, John Legend, Marc Anthony, The Roots, and Nigerian artist Tems. Youth music groups Uniting Voices and Guitars Over Guns will also participate in the program.
The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. CT at the center’s John Lewis Plaza, located at 6001 South Stony Island Avenue in Jackson Park. Former U.S. President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama are both expected to deliver speeches during the event.
According to the Obama Foundation, the opening is designed to be more than just a formal ribbon-cutting. It aims to be a celebration filled with music, inspiration, and community energy. Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett said the ceremony will reflect a message of hope and collective action, highlighting the role of creativity in driving social change.
The Obama Presidential Center itself sits on a nearly 20-acre site in Chicago’s Jackson Park area. It is designed as a modern presidential library with fully digital, interactive exhibits that allow visitors to engage with history in a hands-on way rather than through traditional static displays.
One of the key features of the museum is a portrait of Barack and Michelle Obama created by Nigerian-born artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby. The artwork, titled The Obamas: Springing Forth, includes references to civil rights history, Chicago landmarks, and personal cultural influences, including a nod to Stevie Wonder’s Talking Book, the first album Michelle Obama ever received.
While the dedication ceremony on June 18 is invite-only, the center will open to the public starting Juneteenth, with additional community events scheduled through June 21 to mark its official launch.
