When will the DNC 2024 take place? Which celebrities will be in Chicago
Chicago prepares for high-profile visitors and protesters ahead of the DNC
The area around the United Center is being cleaned while inside the stage is being set up and chairs are being lined up on the floor.
Only a few days to go until the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where delegates from Tennessee and the rest of the USA and its territories will gather. Oh, and there will probably be a few celebrities in attendance.
The DNC is an opportunity for Democratic politicians and others to mobilize the party and talk about what the party hopes to accomplish over the next four years should presidential candidate Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz win the general election in November. The Democratic Party also happens to be the party of many celebrities, and they are expected to turn out in large numbers during the week-long event, either at the convention or at various events around the city.
Although the full list of speakers at the DNC is not yet known at this time, there has been a lot of speculation (and hope) about which celebrities will endorse the Democrats this year.
Here’s who we know is coming and who might show up.
When is the DNC?
Before we get into the debates, the Democratic Party Convention must still take place.
DNC delegates meet in Chicago from Monday, 19 August. The Convention will End: Thursday, August 22.
Will Joe Biden speak at the DNC?
Yes.
After dropping out of the 2024 presidential race in July, President Joe Biden has thrown his support and political weight behind Vice President Kamala Harris. Biden is scheduled to speak at the United Center on Monday, August 19, during the opening night of the convention, which will pay tribute to the 81-year-old president.
Which celebrities are expected at the DNC?
Many of the celebrities expected to appear at the DNC in Chicago may not be on the main stage at the United Center in Chicago’s Near West Side neighborhood and at McCormick Place south of downtown.
The New York Times has compiled a list of some of the top musicians and film and television stars expected in the Windy City next week. Here are some of them:
- Octavia Spencer
- John Legend
- Truckers passing by
- Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
- SistaStrings
- “Daily Show” alum Roy Wood Jr.
- Northalsted (or Boystown)
- Jimmy Eat World
- Lil Jon
- Chad Michaels
- Silky nutmeg ganache
- Jackie Cox
- Uma Thurman
- Danai Gurira
- Iain Armitage
- Uzo Aduba
Will Taylor Swift be at the DNC?
Taylor Swift is not one to avoid political conversations, but it remains to be seen whether the world-famous musician will take a break from her global Eras tour to perform at the DNC.
The pop star has used her celebrity status to boost voter registration with a single social media post. On National Voter Registration Day, more than 30,000 people, the most ever, registered through Vote.org after Swift posted a message on her Instagram.
In 2020, she supported Biden for president, but did not have much time for political office on the last leg of her Eras Tour.
Will Beyoncé be at the DNC?
Queen Bey is another unknown at the DNC.
The iconic singer hasn’t been mentioned or said anything about the DNC, but Beyoncé’s signature is all over the Harris-Walz campaign. If you’ve seen a recent Harris campaign ad, if you’re a Beyoncé fan, some of the lines might sound familiar.
“We choose freedom,” Harris says in the clip as Beyoncé’s powerful chorus from “Freedom” plays, a song from her breakthrough 2016 album “Lemonade.” The song begins, “Freedom! Freedom! I can’t move / Freedom, let me go! Yeah.”
Although Beyoncé has not yet given her endorsement, Walz has been recognized as a certified Beyhive member and Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles, has already endorsed Harris as the next U.S. president.
The singer gave Harris permission to use the song during her campaign for the White House, putting her in stark contrast to Harris’ opponent Donald Trump, who has drawn the wrath of numerous musicians and their families for using their music without permission.
Who are the keynote speakers at the DNC?
In addition to Biden, former President Barack Obama and Bill and Hillary Clinton will also deliver speeches at the convention. Democratic vice presidential candidate and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will speak on Wednesday night, and the week will end with Harris’ nomination acceptance speech on Thursday night.
According to congress organizers, in addition to the keynote speakers, there will be more young people, older people, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people of other ethnicities and faiths on the podium than in previous years.
A full list of speakers for the week has not yet been released.
Caché McClay and USA TODAY contributed to this report.
