The 2024 Democratic National Convention was held August 17–20, 2024, in Chicago. The convention's evening general sessions were held at the United Center. Similarly to the 2020 Democratic National Convention, each evening's program featured a celebrity host.
First night (Monday, August 19: For the People)
The first night was emceed by actor and director Tony Goldwyn and included musical performances by Mickey Guyton and Jason Isbell. It included tributes to president Joe Biden, who delivered Monday's closing address. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, and first lady Jill Biden and daughter Ashley spoke. Harris made a brief surprise appearance on-stage to pay tribute to Biden and welcome the attendees. The party platform, drafted by delegates in the Platform Committee, was adopted by the full body of delegates by voice vote.
Main programming began at 5:30PM Central. Listed below are select speakers in order of appearance.
Speech schedule of first night Call to orderMinyon MoorePermanent Chair of the Democratic National ConventionJaime HarrisonChair of the Democratic National Committee (2021–2025)RemarksBrandon JohnsonMayor of Chicago (2023–present)Jaime HarrisonChair of the Democratic National Committee (2021–2025)Peggy FlanaganLieutenant Governor of Minnesota (2019–present)Maxine WatersU.S. Representative from CA-43 (1991–present)Derrick JohnsonPresident and CEO of the NAACPMelanie L. CampbellPresident and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic ParticipationCredentials committeeMarcia FudgeCo-Chair of the Democratic National Committee Credentials Committee 18th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (2021–2024)Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 11th district (2008–2021)James Roosevelt Co-Chair of the Democratic National Committee Credentials CommitteeGrandson of President Franklin D. RooseveltRules and bylaws committee Leah D. DaughtryCo-Chair of the Democratic National Committee Rules and Bylaws CommitteePlatform committeeMitch LandrieuCo-Chair of the Democratic National Committee Platform Committee61st Mayor of New Orleans (2010–2018) 51st Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana (2004–2010)Regina RomeroCo-Chair of the Democratic National Committee Platform Committee 42nd Mayor of Tucson (2019–present)RemarksLauren UnderwoodU.S. Representative from IL-14 (2019–present)Robert GarciaU.S. Representative from CA-42 (2023–present)Brian Wallach and Sandra AbrevayaCo-founders of I AM ALSDick DurbinU.S. Senator from Illinois (1997–present) Senate Majority WhipJoyce BeattyU.S. Representative from OH-03 (2013–present)Lee SaundersPresident of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)April VerrettPresident of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU)Brent BookerGeneral President of the Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA)Kenneth W. CooperInternational President of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)Claude Cummings Jr.President of the Communication Workers of America (CWA)Liz ShulerPresident of the AFL-CIOKaren BassMayor of Los Angeles (2022–present) Member of the U.S. House of Representatives (2011–2022) Speaker of the California State Assembly (2008–2010) Mickey Guyton performs her song "All American"Austin DavisLieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania (2023–present)Sara Rodriguez46th Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin (2023–present)Lina HidalgoCounty Judge of Harris County, Texas (2019–present)Eleni KounalakisLieutenant Governor of California (2019–present)Mallory McMorrowMember of the Michigan Senate (2019–present) and Majority WhipLaphonza ButlerU.S. Senator from California (2023–2024) Jason Isbell performs his song "Something More Than Free"Gina RaimondoUnited States Secretary of Commerce (2021–2025) Governor of Rhode Island (2015–2021)Kathy HochulGovernor of New York (2021–present)PrimetimeKamala HarrisNominee for president Vice President of the United States (2021–2025)Surprise appearanceTony GoldwynActor and directorSteve KerrHead coach of the Golden State Warriors (2014–present) and the 2024 United States men's Olympic basketball teamShawn FainPresident of the United Automobile Workers (2023–present)Alexandria Ocasio-CortezU.S. Representative from NY-14 (2019–present)Hillary ClintonFirst Lady of the United States (1993–2001)U.S. Senator from New York (2001–2009)U.S. Secretary of State (2009–2013)2016 Democratic nominee for presidentJim ClyburnU.S. Representative from SC-06 (1993–present)Former House Majority Whip Jamie RaskinU.S. Representative from MD-08 (2017–present)Jasmine CrockettU.S. Representative from TX-30 (2023–present)Andy BeshearGovernor of Kentucky (2019–present)Raphael WarnockU.S. Senator from Georgia (2021–present)Chris CoonsU.S. Senator from Delaware (2010–present)Jill BidenFirst Lady of the United States (2021–2025)Ashley BidenSocial worker, fashion designer, and daughter of President Joe BidenJoe Biden46th President of the United States (2021–2025)
Second night (Tuesday, August 20: A Bold Vision for America's Future)
The second night was emceed by television commentator and political strategist Ana Navarro (a Republican Harris supporter), and included performances by Patti LaBelle and Common. Former first lady Michelle Obama and former president Barack Obama, who gave the closing addresses, and second gentleman Doug Emhoff were among those that spoke. Jason Carter, grandson of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, also gave a speech on this night and honored his grandfather. Another presidential grandson, John F. Kennedy’s grandson Jack Schlossberg, spoke as well.
Described as a "celebratory roll call" or ceremonial roll call, delegates ceremonially reported voting results for the presidential nomination hosted by Secretary of the DNC, Jason Rae. Led by DJ Cassidy, each state's delegation was accompanied by their choice of background music during the roll call of the states, largely consisting of songs from artists from each respective state. The atmosphere of the roll call was likened by many outlets to a dance party, and seen as more exciting than conventional roll calls seen at most previous conventions.Multiple source:
Amid the nomination vote, Harris and Walz addressed a campaign rally gathered at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee that was attended by 15,000 spectators. A portion of Harris' remarks there were telecast live to the United Center following the conclusion of the roll call. The Fiserv Forum is approximately from the United Center, and had weeks earlier been the main venue of the 2024 Republican National Convention.
Speech schedule of second night SpeakerPosition/NotabilityCall to orderJaime HarrisonChair of the Democratic National Committee (2021–2025)Mitch LandrieuCo-chair of the Democratic National Committee Platform Committee61st Mayor of New Orleans (2010–2018) 51st Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana (2004–2010)RemarksJason CarterFormer member of the Georgia State Senate (2010–2015)Grandson of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter Former Democratic nominee in the 2014 Georgia gubernatorial electionJack SchlossbergGrandson of former U.S. President John F. KennedyMalcolm KenyattaMember of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (2019–present)Stephanie GrishamWhite House Press Secretary (2019–2020, Republican)Nabela NoorContent creatorGary PetersU.S. Senator from Michigan (2015–present)PrimetimeKamala HarrisPresidential nomineeAna NavarroPolitical strategist and commentator (Republican)HostChuck SchumerSenate Majority Leader (2021–present)Senate Minority Leader (2017–2021)U.S. Senator from New York (1999–present)Bernie SandersU.S. Senator from Vermont (2007–present, Independent)J. B. PritzkerGovernor of Illinois (2019–present)Kenneth ChenaultFormer CEO of American Express (2001–2018)Michelle Lujan GrishamGovernor of New Mexico (2019–present)Angela AlsobrooksPrince George's County Executive (2018–2024)Democratic nominee in the 2024 United States Senate election in MarylandJohn GilesMayor of Mesa, Arizona (2014–present, Republican)Tammy DuckworthU.S. Senator from Illinois (2017–present)Doug EmhoffSecond Gentleman of the United States (2021–2025)speech by spouse of the presidential nomineeMichelle ObamaFirst Lady of the United States (2009–2017)Barack Obama44th President of the United States (2009–2017)
Ceremonial roll call