In photos: Star-studded crowd gathers to celebrate the Obama Presidential Center dedication

Key Points

• Former President Barack Obama dedicated his Chicago presidential center Thursday at an exclusive ceremony featuring dignitaries and celebrities.
• The event included every living president and first lady except Donald and Melania Trump, highlighting a focus on democratic values and Obama's legacy.
• In his remarks, Obama honored Chicago as the place where he discovered purpose, faith and community.

Fomer US president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama arrive at the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.Kent Nishimura | Afp | Getty Images

Former President Barack Obama opened his long-awaited presidential center in Chicago on Thursday, drawing a who's who of former presidents, dignitaries, celebrities and musical performers to an invite-only dedication ceremony on the city's South Side.

The Obama Presidential Center, a $850 million campus more than a decade in the making, officially opens to the public Friday. Thursday's ceremony featured guests such as Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Stephen Colbert and Tom Hanks, with performances from Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, The Roots, Christina Aguilera and others.

All living former presidents and first ladies — except President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump — were in attendance.

Obama used the moment to pay tribute to Chicago, the city where he launched his political career, built his family and found community that helped shape his presidency.

"I found my purpose here, and I fortified my faith here, and I found my community here," Obama said.

The former president also made a pointed defense of democratic norms, saying the center was meant to carry forward "the shared values that make democracy possible," including "a belief in the peaceful transfer of power after the people have spoken in fair and free elections."

(L-R) Former President Joe Biden, former first lady Jill Biden, former President Barack Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama, former President George W. Bush, former first lady Laura Bush, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, pose for a photo ahead of the dedication ceremony.Pablo Martinez Monsivais | Afp | Getty ImagesFormer U.S. President Barack Obama waves as he attends a dedication ceremony for the opening of the Obama Presidential Center, accompanied by Michelle Obama, Malia Obama and Sasha ObamaBrendan Mcdermid | ReutersChristina Aguilera performs.Brendan Mcdermid | ReutersTom Hanks attends the dedication ceremony.Win Mcnamee | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesJennifer Hudson performs.Scott Olson | Getty ImagesFormer Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) (R) and her husband Paul Pelosi attend the dedication ceremony.Jim Vondruska | Getty ImagesGeorge Lucas (L) and his wife Mellody Hobson attend.Jim Vondruska | Getty ImagesDavid Letterman reacts during the dedication ceremony.Jonathan Ernst | ReutersFormer German chancellor Angela Merkel arrives.Kamil Krzaczynski | Afp | Getty Images(L-R) Former second gentleman Doug Emhoff and former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris wave as they arrive to the dedication ceremony.Scott Olson | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesUS singer Eddie Vedder performs.Kamil Krzaczynski | Afp | Getty Images(L-R) Former U.S. President Barack Obama, Former first lady Michelle Obama, Malia Obama, and Sasha Obama cheer after the performance of Eddie Vedder and Guitars Over Guns.Win Mcnamee | Getty Images News | Getty Images(L-R) Former U.S. President George W. Bush, Former U.S. President Joe Biden and Former first lady Jill Biden.Win Mcnamee | Getty ImagesTems performs.Scott Olson | Getty ImagesFormer U.S. President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama laugh.Brendan Mcdermid | ReutersMarc Anthony performs.Win Mcnamee | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesFormer US President Barack Obama, left, and former US First Lady Michelle Obama during the opening of the Obama Presidential Center.Mustafa Hussain | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesFormer U.S. President Barack Obama speaks.Scott Olson | Getty ImagesBruce Springsteen performs.Scott Olson | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesStevie Wonder performs.Win Mcnamee | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesChoose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news.