Get the latest

The Obama Presidential Center campus will be dedicated in a ceremony on June 18, 2026. This event will serve as a celebration to mark the campus’s official opening.  The invite-only event will be livestreamed for all to enjoy. 

The public will be able to start visiting the campus and Museum on June 19, 2026. Sign up to be the first to know when tickets to the Museum will become available for purchase and to learn more about the ceremony.

Grand Opening festivities will take place June 20 and 21, 2026 with an array of public celebrations to welcome the community and guests from around the world to Chicago’s South Side.

Most of the Obama Presidential Campus is free, open to the public and does not require tickets. Examples include:

• Exploring our original works of art commissioned for the campus

• Bring your family to enjoy the Playground

• Go on the Wetland Walk

• Check out the newest branch of the Chicago Public Library

• Connect with friends and family at John Lewis Plaza

• Stroll through the Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit and Vegetable Garden

• Have a bite to eat at the Picnic Area

• Visit the Women’s Garden

• Great Lawn

Visitors to the campus can also enjoy food and drinks at the Cafe and Restaurant and shop at our retail store.

In addition, a variety of programs, tours, and events will be available across campus throughout the year. Some programs and events may require separate registration or tickets. Sign up for our newsletters to be the first to know.

The Obama Presidential Center campus is free and open to the public. To visit the Museum, you will need to purchase tickets for a timed entry. Museum tickets will go on sale in spring 2026. Guests with tickets can begin to visit the campus and Museum on June 19, 2026. Sign up to be the first to know about ticket options.

We recommend reserving your tickets online in advance to secure your preferred time. We can not guarantee availability if you buy tickets in person.

Information about ticket options will be made available before they go on sale in spring 2026. Ticket pricing is in line with other Chicago museums in the park, and includes everyday discounts and designated free days for Illinois residents.