The Obama Presidential Center
Chicago, Illinois
OPENING WEEKEND Continued …
SCHEDULE
Saturday, June 20, 2026 | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (CST)
Spotlight Stories
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.
Performances on the John Lewis Plaza
Host: Lizzie G
10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. | DJ Ca$h Era and Lizzie G
11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Black Hawk Performance Company: 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.
1 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. | Mandala South Asian Performance Company: Experience a music, dance, storytelling, and interactive performance that fosters cross-cultural exchange.
2 - 2:45 p.m. and 4 - 4:45 p.m. | DJ Mike P and Lizzie G
3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. | Mucca Pazza: Witness marching band traditions and street theater spectacle with rock and roll sensibilities.
Art for Everyone
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.
Sports & Play
10 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. | Home Court
Let’s Play: 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.
Sunday, June 21 | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Spotlight Stories
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
Performances on the John Lewis Plaza
Host: Lizzie G
10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. | DJ Rae Chardonnay and Lizzie G: maintain a vibrant atmosphere on the Plaza.
11 a.m. - 11:45 p.m. | Meagan McNeal + Band: Enjoy songs by Meagan McNeal, a vocalist whose performances are rooted in gospel, jazz, and R&B.
2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. | DJ TRQPITECA and Lizzie G: DJ TRQPITECA and Lizzie G maintain a vibrant atmosphere on the Plaza.
3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. | Mariachi Herencia de Mexico: Enjoy a live performance from 2x Latin GRAMMY-nominated Mariachi Herencia de Mexico.
Art for Everyone
Button Making
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Democracy in Action Program Rooms, Forum building
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, Forum building
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, Forum building
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, Forum building
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 Story Studio 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.
Chicago Public Library
11 a.m. - 3 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.
Sports & Play
Father’s Day Walk
10 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. .m. | Picnic Area
Join Peace Runners 773 for a campus walk celebrating leadership, legacy, and fatherhood through fitness and connection.
Let’s Play
10 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. | Home Court
Join a Sports & Play Clinic with the Chicago Bulls, Chicago Fire FC and Chicago Stars FC including appearances by mascots and DJ Rul and Genna Rose.
(SOURCE: The Obama Foundation)
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ENERI News Blogger
