What to know about the Obama Presidential Center's opening weekend and beyond

The Obama Presidential Center set to open this week. The 19.3 acre campus-like construction built in historic Jackson Park, includes a ticketed museum, as well as free public access to a sprawling playground, public library, outdoor garden, and indoor basketball. However, there are hours and limitations to each of these amenities. Here is what to know about the festivities surrounding the opening weekend and beyond.

Can I watch the opening ceremony?

The Obama Presidential Center’s grand opening on Thursday, June 18 at 11 a.m. will be livestreamed on Obama.org, as well as on the Obama Foundation’s social media accounts.

The event itself is invitation-only and tickets to the public watch party at the Midway Plaisance Park near the Center are also no longer available.

Who is performing?

The ceremony is slated to feature several big names. Some of them include Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Common, Eddie Vedder, the Roots, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Marc Anthony, Tems, U2’s Bono and The Edge and actress and producer Marsai Martin.

When is the Obama Center open to the public?

The center opens to the public on Friday, June 19. Public events continue through that Sunday, Father’s Day.

Opening weekend tickets to the museum sold out in hours, and reservations for Illinois Free Days — Tuesdays — are sold out past October.

While museum tickets are unavailable, the public can access other areas of the Center including:

• The Sky Room on the top floor of the museum with panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the City. Enter on the bottom level near the gift shop to ride the Sky Room elevator.
• The Chicago Public Library. Opening hours:
  
  • Monday & Wednesday: 12 - 8 p.m.
  • Tuesday & Thursday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • Friday & Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Sunday: 1 - 5 p.m.
• Large outdoor jungle gym and play area and picnic tables with accompanying grills. Campus ground are open: Monday - Sunday: 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Public activities on opening weekend include:

• Performances and programs featuring Obama Presidential Center commissioned artists
• Storytime and hands-on activities at the center’s Chicago Public Library branch
• Double Dutch performances and crochet jump rope-making in the Home Court building
• Interactive experiences in the Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit and Vegetable Garden centered on growing food
• Talks in the center’s auditorium
• Guided and self-guided audio tours
• "Sports and play stations” at its Home Court athletic center with mascots from Chicago's teams

What streets will be closed for opening weekend?

The city's Office of Emergency Management and Communication is maintaining a list of street closures.

The schedule includes these closures:

From 6 a.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Friday:

• Midway Plaisance, from Dorchester to Stony Island Avenue both ways
• Blackstone Avenue, from 59th Street to Midway Plaisance
• Cornell Avenue, from Stony Island Avenue to 57th Street
• Stony Island Avenue, from Midway Plaisance to 63rd Street
• Stony Island Avenue northbound, from 59th Street to 57th Street
• 59th Street southbound, from South Harper Avenue to Stony Island Avenue

From 6 a.m. Monday to 11:59 p.m. Saturday:

• Midway Plaisance, from Woodlawn to Blackstone avenues
• Dorchester Street, from 59th to 60th Street

From 6 a.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Friday:

• Woodlawn Avenue, from 59th to 60th Street
• Midway Plaisance, from Ellis to Woodlawn Avenue

How can I attend after opening weekend?

Tickets are sold out for June and half of July, though the calendar has openings into November.

Tickets cost $30. There’s a $4 discount for Illinois residents, a $3 discount for out-of-state kids and $11 off for in-state kids. Tickets cannot be returned, transferred or sold.

CTA expanded service on the No. 10 route, which was renamed the No. 10 Obama Presidential Center/Museum of Science & Industry Express. Due to street closures opening weekend, the closest No. 10 stop will be the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.

Metra's Electric Line runs closest to the center. The Red and Green Lines also connect to the No. 6, No. 15 and No. 28 buses, which also run near the center.

What other events are being held through the summer?

In July and August, the center will host a series of talks, films and events for the nation’s 250th anniversary titled “You Are America.” It kicks off with a free Independence Day celebration called “The People’s Fourth,” featuring live music, self-guided tours and family-friendly activities.

Summer Garden Gatherings will be hosted in the fruit and vegetable garden every other week from July 12 to Sept. 20. A walk-run club for those 50-years or older called "At Your Pace" will meet at the center on Thursday mornings from Aug. 6 to Oct. 8.

On Aug. 4, an all-ages celebration of President Barack Obama’s birthday will be held.