What to expect at the Democratic National Convention: How to watch and who is speaking in Chicago

After an absolute shake-up of the landscape of the 2024 presidential election in the last month, Democrats are finally convening to make their candidate official.

The Democratic National Committee in Chicago, Illinois is a vastly different Convention than it was planning to host just a month ago as delegates prepare to nominate Vice President Kamala Harris by the end of the week instead of President Joe Biden.

In June, Biden was still the candidate Democrats were prepared to nominate. But in early July, doubts started to swirl over whether the 81-year-old would actually be put up after his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump.

On July 21, the President officially ended his reelection bid and endorsed Harris. A day later, she earned the support of enough delegates to become the presumed candidate for November.

Now, Democratic delegates are prepared to end this week by nominating Harris as their 2024 presidential candidate with running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as the vice president.

Guests will also be confronted with the Democrats' fervent reproductive rights push.

Free vasectomies and abortions will be available to attendees and an 18-foot-tall inflatable intrauterine device, or IUD, named 'Freeda Womb' will be erected on site.

A Chicago Police officer takes a pictures of people posing near a mural of Vice President Kamala Harris outside the United Center ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois 

The United Center is decked out in DNC 2024 logos as 50,000 people descend on Chicago for the Convention

LOCATION, DATES AND DETAILS

The program takes place at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Arena is home to the Chicago Bulls NBA team and the Chicago Blackhawks NHL team.

Events start the evening of Monday, August 19 and will go for four nights, concluding Thursday, August 22.

Most official DNC events happen during the evening and will air from 6:30 p.m. through 11 p.m. Eastern Time.

But other related programming occurs throughout the day surrounding the Convention, including events with Democratic lawmakers, candidates, politicians and delegates.

HOW TO WATCH THE CONVENTION

The Committee that organizes the Convention announced on Tuesday that it will stream the events on more platforms than any other previous Convention.

'The convention team set out with an ambitious goal of reaching more Americans than ever before, and today's announcement is yet another milestone in our mission to broadcast Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz's story to all Americans,' Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) Executive Director Alex Hornbrook said in a statement.

'With more and more Americans consuming their news in new and innovative ways, Democrats stand ready to meet them where they are – and to bring our vision for a brighter future to households all across the country.'

DemConvention.com will livestream the Convention and has worked with partners to also provide streaming on YouTube, X, TikTok, Instagram, FAcebook, Twitch and Amazon Prime Video.

Those who search 'Democratic National Convention' or '2024 DNC' will also be able to watch the events on AppleTV, RokuTV and FireTV. And TV providers are also airing the Convention through Comcast, DirecTV and U-Verse TV. 

On Day One of the DNC, Democratic delegates will officially vote Kamala Harris and Tim Walz as their presidential and vice presidential nominees

SPEAKER SCHEDULE AND SPECIAL GUESTS

Biden will still have a speaking slot at the Convention as he hits the trail for his No. 2.

The President is expected to kick off events with remarks on the first day of the Convention along with a speech from failed 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also speaks on Monday.

Then former President Barack Obama will headline remarks on Tuesday immediately after his wife and former First Lady Michelle Obama speaks. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has a speech on Tuesday, as well.

Former President Bill Clinton has his speaking slot on Wednesday along with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who was once thought to be a top contender for Harris' VP pick.

Keeping in line with Convention tradition, Walz will accept his nomination as VP with a speech on Wednesday and Harris will finish off the event with her keynote address on Thursday, followed by a balloon drop.

Other speakers include Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Jason Carter, the grandson of former President Jimmy Carter, who remains in hospice care.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear told Nevada delegates at a breakfast in Chicago on Monday morning that he will be speaking later in the evening on the main stage at the United Center for remarks about 'women's reproductive health' and abortion rights. 

Beshear was among the short list Harris was considering for her running mate.  

Comedian Stephen Colbert was also spotted in a very Chicago disguise speaking with Gov. Pritzker at the United Center on Sunday. The comedian was wearing a wig and fake facial hair and donned oversized sunglasses and a Chicago Bulls hat, jacket and fanny pack. 

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker surveys the floor of the DNC at the United Center Sunday, August 18

Democratic lawmakers and politicans from across the country will make appearances at the Convention. Pictured: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez walks the floor of the United Center on Sunday, August 18 before the DNC kicks off official events on Monday

CONTENT CREATOR CAMPAIGN

More than 200 online creators and personalities are credentialed to attend this year's Convention on top of the 15,000 media descending on Chicago.

Organizers want to tap into audiences on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and X that might not usually tune into the Convention.

Creators with a combined millions of followers will post content from the Convention on their accounts.

The initiative is part of a campaign by the DNC to 'meet voters where they are,' a person familiar with planning told DailyMail.com.

'From day one of convention planning, we've set out to bring the story of our party to the American people,' said the Convention's Director of Digital Strategy Cayana Mackey-Nance.

They added: 'Bringing creators to our convention will multiply our reach and ensure that everyone can witness democracy in action.

And DNCC Senior Director of Communications Matt Hill said that they wanted to 'giv[e] creators a front row seat to history.'

'While MAGA Republicans revolve solely around Donald Trump, Democrats are reaching Americans where they are with the tools to tell their own stories,' he said in a statement to DailyMail.com.

PROTESTS

Pro-Palestinian protesters are vowing to show up in full force at the Convention amid a months-long clash with Democrat defenders of Israel.

The demonstrators are expected to hit the streets surrounding the United Center on the first, third and final day of the DNC so there is a presence for the kick-off of the event as well as on the nights when Walz and Harris are expected to formally accept their respective nominations.

'Peaceful protest is fundamental to American democracy and has been a fixture of political conventions for decades,' Convention spokesperson Matt Hill said in a statement to DailyMail.com.

'While Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans stoke political violence, we support the ongoing security coordination at all levels of government to keep our convention safe,' Hill added, claiming the DNCC will exhibit 'excitement' in 'stark contrast to the chaos' of the GOP Convention last month.

March on the DNC is the largest of the planned protests and is scheduled to start at noon on Monday at 5:00 p.m., which is when many of the attendees will be arriving for the program kick-off.

Rallies will go through August 22 at Union Park and speakers – including noteworthy politicians and celebrities – will take their turn at the mic before marching a few blocks toward the location of DNC main events at the United Center.

Pro-Gaza protesters fought with Chicago city officials over the parade route for the protest to get within the sightline and sound of the United Center.

But the city agreed last month to allow the rally at Union Park, which is only a half-mil east of the arena.

Biden faced a slew of criticism for his pro-Israel stance and for continuing to send weapons to the U.S. ally in its war with Hamas terrorist operation out of Palestinian enclave of Gaza.

And Harris wants nothing more than to avoid the wrath of this powerful progressive voting bloc.

Workers set up a security fencing around the perimeter of the United Center in Chicago ahead of the Convention

Police officers stand guard during a demonstration in Chicago, Illinois on Saturday, August 17 as 50,000 people descend on the city for the DNC

SECURITY

The Secret Service said a large part of their security plan at the Democratic Convention are the agents that will be undetectable by attendees.

'You won't see the very heavy presence of plain clothes special agents and police officers that are also assigned to these things,' USSS Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi told DailyMail.com.

'So that individual in the crowd with, you know, walking down the sidewalk could very well be a special agent with the Secret Service, could very well be an undercover police officer,' he added.

'We try to strategically position our undercover and plain clothes resources so that we can have, you know, eyes on the ground for all types of situations, all types of potential threats.'

Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling assured when asked about security and planned protests: 'In two words, we're ready.'

'Our officers are still going through training,' Snelling told ABC7 Chicago. 'We have different tiers of training that we're putting our officers through. But we want to make sure that our officers are well-prepared to deal with whatever's coming. And I know that people have thoughts about our preparedness.'

'But here's what I'll tell you: In short, with the Chicago Police Department, we're prepared.'

The United States Secret Service provided a briefing on July 25 in Chicago to discuss precautions for the Democratic National Convention.

Jeff Burnside, the 2024 DNC Coordinator for USSS, released maps of the security perimeter around the United Center that will remain in place through the conclusion of the Convention.

WHY CHICAGO?

Chicago represents the largest midwest city and, although solidly Democrat, sits settled near a few swing states – like Michigan and Wisconsin.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Jamie Harrison said of the selection of Chicago: 'I am thrilled that Democrats will take the stage in Chicago to share our party's vision and values.'

'The Midwest reflects America and will give Democrats an opportunity to showcase some of President Biden and Vice President Harris's most significant accomplishments for American families,' he continued in a statement last year.

Chicago is also the hometown of former President Obama.

'Illinois and Chicago are ready to play a pivotal role in this critically important election,' Illinois Democratic Party Chairwoman Lisa Hernandez said at the time of selection.

'As the gateway to the Midwest's blue bastion, we look forward to welcoming Democrats to Chicago and sending President Biden and Vice President Harris back to the White House in 2024.'

Chicago has housed the Democratic Convention 11 times previously starting in 1864.