Editor’s Note: NBC Chicago offers a live feed of the evening and primetime speeches every day Monday through Thursday in the player above and on the 24/7 streaming channel NBC 5 Chicago News.
The 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago officially begins on Monday with a series of events leading up to the big speeches.
So when does the convention start and how can you follow it?
Here is a look at the schedule and full event schedule:
What time does the DNC start?
The 2024 DNC in Chicago begins on Monday, August 19th and runs through Thursday, August 22nd, with speeches expected on four consecutive nights.
Although there are numerous events taking place throughout the day, the “main program” begins at 5.30pm on Monday and at 6pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Below you will find a full daily schedule.
Schedule, speakers for the DNC
While the full list of speakers has not yet been released, some of the Democratic Party’s biggest stars will be in attendance, including President Joe Biden, who will speak at the convention on Monday.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and First Lady Jill Biden will also deliver speeches on Monday.
The keynote speeches are expected to begin on Monday at 5:30 p.m.
MORE: DNC speaker tracker: Kinzinger and Michelle Obama added to lineup
NBC News reported that Vice President Kamala Harris will be in attendance on Monday. President Biden and Vice President Harris are expected to appear onstage together after Biden’s speech.
Following their speeches on Monday, the Bidens will leave Chicago, NBC News confirmed.
According to the organizers, the theme for Monday is “For the people.”
Former Presidents Barack Obama (Tuesday) and Bill Clinton (Wednesday) will also speak, as will former First Lady Michelle Obama (Tuesday) and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker (Tuesday), among others.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who has been selected as the vice presidential candidate, will speak at the party’s convention on Wednesday, while Harris will formally accept the party’s presidential nomination on Thursday.
How to follow the DNC
All four plenary sessions of the Democratic National Convention will be streamed live on NBC Chicago’s website and mobile app, as well as in the player above.
The speeches will also be available on the NBC 5 Chicago News 24/7 streaming channel.
Viewers can also look forward to expanded coverage on Telemundo Chicago and the Telemundo Chicago app.
Streaming times (all times Central):
Monday: 5:15 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 5:30 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 5:30 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Thursday: 5:30 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Daily event schedule:
MONDAY
7:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. CDT
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. CDT
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CDT
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. CDT
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. CDT
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. CDT
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. CDT
- Meeting of the Native American Caucus
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. CDT
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CDT
12:00–1:30 p.m. CDT
12:00–1:30 p.m. CDT
- Meeting of the Small Business Council
12:00–1:30 p.m. CDT
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CDT
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CDT
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CDT
- Meeting of the Council of Democratic Local Elected Officials (DLEO)
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CDT
- Digital organization, misinformation and disinformation
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CDT
- Shirley Chisolm predicted this political moment. Now is the time to unite.
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CDT
- Project 2025: Organizing friends and family
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CDT
- Narratives that Build Power: Teaching AANHPI How to Reach Their Communities Through Narrative Storytelling
1:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. CDT
- Meeting of the Environment and Climate Crisis Council
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CDT
- Go Dox Yourself: Protect your online privacy so you can show your best side
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CDT
- Voices for Justice: Democrats for Palestinian Human Rights
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CDT
- We cannot win without rural areas: To win in 2024, we must understand and bridge the urban-rural divide
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CDT
- The future of immigration reform
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CDT
- Protecting the 2024 Election: Effective Strategies to Ensure Every Vote Counts
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CDT
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CDT
- We Show Ourselves: The Power of Equality Voters with HRC, LGBTQ+ Activists, Community Leaders and Policy Experts
4:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. CDT
5:15pm – 5:30pm CDT
5:30pm – 10:00pm CDT
10:00 p.m.–10:15 p.m. CDT
TUESDAY
7:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. CDT
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. CDT
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CDT
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. CDT
12:00–1:30 p.m. CDT
- Meeting of the Disability Caucus
12:00–1:30 p.m. CDT
12:00–1:30 p.m. CDT
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CDT
- Harris for President – Messaging Guide 101
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CDT
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CDT
- The theory of election campaigns – and understanding voters’ self-interests
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CDT
- Tips for recruiting volunteers – and the art of one-on-one conversations
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CDT
- All In: The NAACP-supported Black Voters Saving Democracy forum
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CDT
- Care cannot wait: Our economy runs on care
1:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. CDT
- Veterans and Military Families Council Meeting
1:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. CDT
1:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. CDT
- Meeting of the Interreligious Council
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CDT
- What is at stake in reproductive freedom education
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CDT
- We Rent, We Vote: Solutions to America’s Housing Crisis with Rep. Maxine Waters and CPD Action
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CDT
- Tools for the party: Technical infrastructure of the DNC 2024
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CDT
- Against censorship and for building the best schools for our children
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CDT
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CDT
- Phone banking/text operations, phone platforms and compliance
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CDT
- Tips for first-time candidates
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CDT
- Using social media in the election campaign
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CDT
- From apathy to action: mobilizing young people to vote
4:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. CDT
6:00 p.m.–6:15 p.m. CDT
6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. CDT
10:00 p.m.–10:15 p.m. CDT
WEDNESDAY
7:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. CDT
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. CDT
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CDT
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. CDT
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. CDT
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. CDT
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. CDT
- Meeting of the Native American Caucus
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. CDT
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. CDT
- The American Jewish Community and Israel after October 7
12:00–1:30 p.m. CDT
12:00–1:30 p.m. CDT
12:00–1:30 p.m. CDT
- Meeting of the Small Business Council
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CDT
- Climate Power, EDF Action, NDRC Action Fund, LCV and Global Strategy Group present the latest on climate
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CDT
- Everything you need to know about Trump’s Project 2025 agenda
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CDT
- Youth organization training
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CDT
- Winning the narrative of security, accountability and justice
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CDT
- Detect and prevent infiltration
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CDT
- Great direct mail for campaigns
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CDT
- The principles of political communication
1:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. CDT
- Meeting of the Environment and Climate Crisis Council
1:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. CDT
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CDT
- AI and deepfakes in the 2024 election
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CDT
- Building successful coalitions
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CDT
- Messages to young voters
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CDT
- Use of artificial intelligence programs in progressive politics
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CDT
- Development of strategic thematic campaigns
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CDT
- Latinos: The X-Factor in 2024
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CDT
- Student debt relief: celebrate successes and keep fighting
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CDT
- Boomers to the Harris-Walz Rock ‘n Doo-Wop Party
4:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. CDT
6:00 p.m.–6:15 p.m. CDT
6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. CDT
10:00 p.m.–10:15 p.m. CDT
THURSDAY
7:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. CDT
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. CDT
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CDT
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. CDT
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CDT
- Jewish Values and Domestic Politics: What’s at Stake
12:00–1:30 p.m. CDT
- Meeting of the Disability Caucus
12:00–1:30 p.m. CDT
12:00–1:30 p.m. CDT
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CDT
- Mitigating the risk of AI-related disinformation for women in politics
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CDT
- Online election campaign with joy: Digital organization for Vice President Kamala Harris
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CDT
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CDT
- Principles of public speaking in practice
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CDT
- Field work in election campaigns and GOTV/voter protection Getting an ID card
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CDT
- Opinion research: surveys, focus groups, A/B tests
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CDT
- Mapping technologies for elections and issue campaigns
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CDT
- The invisible black men – how to reach them
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. CDT
- For a safer future: approaches to preventing gun violence
1:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. CDT
- Veterans and Military Families Council Meeting
1:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. CDT
1:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. CDT
- Meeting of the Interreligious Council
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CDT
- Crisis in the Court: It is time for reforms to restore legitimacy and protect our Constitution
4:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. CDT
6:00 p.m.–6:15 p.m. CDT
6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. CDT
10:00 p.m.–10:15 p.m. CDT
What are the main topics of the congress?
The convention’s theme is “For the People, For Our Future” and the focus will be on moving the country forward and building on the work of the Biden administration.
The daily topics are:
Monday – “For the people”
Tuesday – “A bold vision for America’s future”
Wednesday – “A fight for our freedoms”
Thursday – “For our future”
According to convention organizers, the theme of Monday’s events is a throwback to the theme of Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign and a phrase she has incorporated into her new campaign, which began with a fundraising email the night Biden dropped out of the race.
The phrase recalls her inauguration in 2019, when Harris – a longtime prosecutor and California’s first woman to serve as attorney general – recalled introducing herself in court as “Kamala Harris, for the people,” adding, “In my entire life, I’ve only had one client, the people.” Throughout the campaign, Harris returned to that phrase again and again, in speeches but also on signs and T-shirts and as part of the official nomenclature of her main campaign committee.
But much of the evening’s focus will also be on Biden’s political successes during his time in office, when he signed a flood of legislation that Democrats have dreamed of passing for a generation.
