[9][10][11] Other than Biden, the only presidential candidates who were awarded pledged delegates to the 2024 Democratic National Convention based on the results of the primaries were U.S. Representative Dean Phillips of Minnesota and businessman Jason Palmer.

Following his June 27 debate performance and decision on July 21 to withdraw his candidacy, Biden immediately endorsed Harris to stand in his place as the party's presidential nominee.

[19] Throughout the fourth and final night, Beyoncé and others were heavily rumored to make an unannounced appearance, leading to rampant speculation on social media that ultimately failed to materialize.

Bid supporters touted the city's large airports, cultural attractions, and the central location of the convention venues and the hotels where delegates and other visitors would stay.

These points were countered by New York and Chicago backers, who criticized the city's lack of unionized hotels and the state's "Right to Work" law as discordant with the party's alliance with organized laborers.

[41] Chicago and the previously selected Republican National Convention host city, Milwaukee, are approximately 90 miles apart on the coast of Lake Michigan.

[57][58] In May 2024, Politico reported that party leaders were considering limiting in-person gatherings at United Center to primetime sessions only to reduce the possibility of disruption, which would include holding official business to McCormick Place (and the possibility of the formal certification taking place before the convention due to conflicts with deadline requirements in Ohio), and retaining elements of 2020's convention (including a focus on prerecorded segments such as the virtual roll call).

[88][89] Key progressive voices swiftly rallied behind Harris, with Reps. Cori Bush,[90] Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Ayanna Pressley,[91] and Indivisible endorsing her.

[93][94] The next day, Harris secured tentative support from well beyond the majority of convention delegates needed to win the upcoming vote and become the party's nominee for president.

Senator Joe Manchin, who left the Democratic Party in May 2024, was reported to be considering a presidential run against Harris at the convention,[109] though by the following day, he had ruled it out.

Congressman Dean Phillips proposed a straw poll of delegates ahead of the Democratic National Convention to determine the party's top four presidential contenders, who would then take part in four town halls outlining their platforms.

[4] There was also an option to abstain from voting, which was chosen by Alaska Congresswoman Mary Peltola,[120] Maine Congressman Jared Golden,[121] and Montana Senator Jon Tester.

Some speculated candidates included Governors Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, and Tim Walz of Minnesota, Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg of Michigan.

It also called for raising a billionaire income tax, lowering childcare costs for low-income families, codifying Roe v. Wade in the wake of the Supreme Court's 2022 decision to overturn it, advancing voting rights, banning assault weapons, and expanding Social Security and Medicare.

Additionally, on August 20—prior to the start time of the convention's primetime speeches—Harris and Walz appeared and spoke at a related campaign rally inside of the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

[149] The Fiserv Forum is approximately 80 miles (130 km) from the United Center, and had weeks earlier been the main venue of the Republican National Convention.

[151] Below are the speakers and events at the United Center:[152] The first night was emceed by actor and director Tony Goldwyn and included musical performances by Mickey Guyton and Jason Isbell.

[158] Vice President of the United States (2021–present)Surprise appearance 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.

[163] Described as a "celebratory roll call", delegates ceremonially reported voting results for the presidential nomination hosted by Secretary of the DNC, Jason Rae.

[166] Former Democratic nominee in the 2014 Georgia gubernatorial election The third night was emceed by actress Mindy Kaling, featuring performances by Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Sheila E[178] and Maren Morris.

Kamala Harris also spoke about why she does not allow Donald Trump to get under her skin, stating “My mother was a brilliant, five foot tall, brown woman with an accent, and as the eldest child, I saw how the world would sometimes treat her...yet, she never lost her cool”.

[233] Speakers included Keith Ellison, Uncommitted co-founder Layla Elabed, former Michigan Congressman Andy Levin, Jim Zogby, Democratic Party organizer Hala Hijazi and pediatric surgeon Tanya Haj-Hassan.

"[237] In an interview with Mother Jones published prior to the convention, the Mayor of Chicago Brandon Johnson described Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip as genocidal.

[241] On the convention floor on Monday, during Joe Biden's speech, delegates from Connecticut, Michigan and Florida unfurled a banner that said "STOP ARMING ISRAEL" and were escorted out of the building.

[247][248][249] The Council on American–Islamic Relations condemned DNC audience members who assaulted a Muslim woman and other delegates who were holding a banner that read "stop arming Israel".

[267] The group was joined inside the security perimeter by healthcare workers, members of the Chicago Teachers Union, Muslim Women for Harris, and US Representatives Summer Lee, Ilhan Omar and Cori Bush.

[275] In addition to the notable speakers and performers mentioned above, notable attendees at the convention include Uzo Aduba, Anthony Anderson, Jacinda Ardern,[276] Sean Astin, Yvette Nicole Brown, Don Cheadle,[277] Misha Collins, Stephen Colbert, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Mark Hamill, Patti LaBelle, Spike Lee, Eva Longoria, Mandy Patinkin,[278] Jason Palmer,[279] Busy Philipps, Dean Phillips,[280] Wendell Pierce, Octavia Spencer, James Taylor, and Kerry Washington.

[284] In the hours and days leading to the DNC's fourth night, rumors widely circulated online claiming that an unknown "surprise guest" was slated to make an unannounced appearance.

[288][289][290] Republican senator Mitt Romney, another popular guess, denied on social media that he was the "surprise guest",[291] while Deadline Hollywood reported that Swift was unlikely to appear.

[296][297] Her non-appearance remained a topic of conversation on social media after the event,[298][299] with some commentators opining that it ultimately benefited Harris because it allowed her to retain the spotlight.