Nearly a decade after former President Barack Obama first announced plans for a presidential center on Chicago’s South Side, the long-awaited Obama Presidential Center will officially open this summer with four days of celebrations.
The $850 million campus in Jackson Park will begin its opening events June 18 with an invitation-only dedication ceremony. The following day — Juneteenth — the campus will open to the public for the first time, with celebrations continuing through June 21.
Former President Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama say the center is designed to be more than a traditional presidential library. Instead, it will serve as a community-focused campus built to encourage civic engagement, leadership and youth empowerment.
“Hope is getting a permanent home,” Obama said in announcing the opening.
Invitation-Only Dedication Ceremony
The official dedication ceremony on June 18 will be a private, invitation-only event honoring Obama’s presidency and the supporters who helped make the project possible.
Former presidents have traditionally attended such events, and George W. Bush has confirmed he will attend the Chicago ceremony.
Reports say current President Donald Trump did not receive an invitation and will not attend. Foundation officials say the event is intended primarily for members of the Obama administration, longtime supporters and community leaders who helped bring the center to life.
Entertainers and celebrity guests have not yet been announced, but organizers say the opening celebration will bring together changemakers, supporters and community members who played a role in Obama’s political journey.
Public Opening Begins on Juneteenth
The campus will open to the public June 19, aligning the opening with Juneteenth, the holiday marking the end of slavery in the United States.
Public celebrations will continue through June 21 with open-house-style programming that will include performances, storytelling, art displays, food and family-friendly activities.
Foundation officials say the goal is to create a celebration that brings together local residents and visitors from around the country.
What Visitors Will Find on the Campus
The Obama Presidential Center was designed as a multi-building civic campus spread across roughly 19 acres of Jackson Park.
The centerpiece is a 225-foot museum tower that will house exhibits exploring Obama’s presidency, his early life and his rise from community organizer on Chicago’s South Side to the White House.
The campus also includes:
• A public forum building for civic programs and conferences
• A branch of the Chicago Public Library
• Gardens, green space and public art installations
• The John Lewis Plaza
• A playground for children
• The Eleanor Roosevelt fruit and vegetable garden
• A women’s garden
• A wetland walk and landscaped green space
• Picnic areas and a large Great Lawn
Another feature of the campus will be Home Court, an athletic and community facility that includes a full-size basketball court and space for youth programs and community activities. The basketball-focused center reflects Obama’s longtime love of the sport. Some fitness and training elements connected to the facility are expected to open later in 2026.
Most of the campus will be free and open to the public.
The museum itself will require timed-entry tickets, which will go on sale later this spring. Officials say ticket prices will be similar to other Chicago museums.
For comparison, general admission at major Chicago attractions typically ranges from about $25 to $40, including the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium and Shedd Aquarium. The Obama Center museum will also offer discounts and free days for Illinois residents.
Jobs and Volunteer Opportunities
The Obama Foundation says about 170 employees have already been hired to operate the center and have begun training for their roles ahead of the opening.
The foundation is also recruiting 75 to 100 volunteers who will serve as campus ambassadors, greeting visitors, assisting with events and helping guide school groups through the campus.
A Project Shaped by Lawsuits and Community Debate
Obama announced in 2015 that Chicago would be home to his presidential center, selecting Jackson Park on the South Side near the neighborhoods where he began his political career.
Construction did not begin until 2021, largely because of years of lawsuits challenging the decision to build the center inside historic Jackson Park, along with environmental reviews required for the project.
Residents of surrounding South Side neighborhoods also raised concerns that development tied to the project could accelerate gentrification, driving up housing prices and potentially displacing longtime residents. Those concerns led to years of organizing for housing protections and community investment commitments.
Chicago officials eventually approved measures aimed at preserving affordability in nearby neighborhoods as development continues around the center.