Springsteen, Bono, Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera To Perform At Obama Center Opening Celebration
CHICAGO — The Obama Presidential Center is celebrating its grand opening this week — and Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, The Roots and Bono and The Edge from U2 are coming into town to perform — and celebrate.
Other performers include Christina Aguilera, Eddie Vedder, John Legend, Marc Anthony, Tems, Common and Marsai Martin.
The star-studded lineup was announced Tuesday by the Obama Foundation. The celebration will take place at the center’s John Lewis Plaza Thursday. The center is set to officially open Friday on Juneteenth after years of construction and delays.
Jennifer Hudson sings “A Change is Gonna Come” during Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr’s Celebration of Life at House of Hope in Chicago on Friday, March 6, 2026. Credit: Talia Sprague for Block Club Chicago
“This Grand Opening ceremony will be unlike any other — filled with music, performances, and hope,” Valerie Jarrett, CEO of The Obama Foundation, said in a press release. “The Grand Opening Ceremony will reflect a spirit of inspiration and joy, with a big boost from the performers who are sharing their talent with us. We hope to inspire people everywhere to believe in their power to bring change home.”
The ceremony will kick off at 11 a.m. Thursday and will be live-streamed here. It will also be streamed on the Obama Foundation’s TikTok, YouTube and Facebook accounts.
Artist Common is interviewed by Block Club Chicago reporter Atavia Reed at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park on June 14, 2024. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
Other events will take place throughout the weekend, including performances, art activities, gardening programs and more. Museum tickets are sold out for opening weekend, but the rest of the campus is free and accessible for the general public, according to the Obama Foundation.
Learn more about the grand opening ceremony and find this weekend’s schedules here.
More information about the center and museum tickets can be found here.
