The Democratic national convention is coming to a close, with a primetime address from Kamala Harris scheduled for the programming block beginning at 9pm CT.
In the biggest test of her political life, Harris will make an appeal to millions of Americans that she, and not Donald Trump, deserves their votes and a shot at the White House.
Michael Tyler, Harris’s communications director, said her speech will seek to lay out her personal story and will present an “optimistic vision for America’s future, a new way forward”.
Harris will be preceded on the main stage by speeches from notable Democrats including Gabrielle Giffords, Mark Kelly, Gretchen Whitmer and Roy Cooper. Expect celebrities – possibly even Beyoncé and Taylor Swift – to make appearances as well.
Who else is speaking Thursday night at the DNC?
The main programming for the convention’s fourth day runs from 6-10pm CT, with a speech from Kamala Harris in prime time to accept the Democratic party’s nomination for president. Harris will be introduced by her younger sister, Maya, and Cooper, the North Carolina governor.
Rumors are flying around two big names – Beyoncé and Swift – as potential surprise guests. Beyoncé gave the Harris team permission to use her song Freedom throughout her campaign; meanwhile, Swift’s endorsement of the Democratic ticket could help drive voter turnout.
Here’s what to know about some notable Democratic speakers on tonight’s lineup.
Beginning at 7pm CT
Maura Healey, governor of Massachusetts
Courtney Baldwin, youth organizer and human-trafficking survivor
Deb Haaland, the first Native American cabinet secretary in US history
Maxwell Alejandro Frost, member of the US House of Representatives, Florida
Colin Allred, member of the US House of Representatives, Texas
Beginning at 8pm CT
Country music group The Chicks, who famously faced enormous backlash for criticizing president George W Bush in 2003 (singing national anthem)
Kerry Washington (host introduction)
Kamala Harris’s niece, Meena Harris; her step-daughter, Ella Emhoff; and her goddaughter, Helena Hudlin
DL Hughley, actor and comedian
Lucy McBath, US House of Representatives, Georgia (remarks on gun violence)
Gabrielle Giffords, former member of the US House of Representatives, Arizona
Pink, pop singer (performance)
Mark Kelly, US senator, Arizona
Ruben Gallego, member of the US House of Representatives, Arizona
Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan
Beginning at 9pm CT
Eva Longoria, actress and film producer
Adam Kinzinger, former member of the US House of Representatives, Illinois
Maya Harris, sister of Kamala Harris
Roy Cooper, governor of North Carolina
Kamala Harris, vice-president of the United States
The full lineup of all speakers will be available on the Democratic national convention website.
How can I watch the convention?
The party will livestream the convention on its Democratic national convention website and on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.
The Guardian has a team of reporters in Chicago and has been covering the convention in depth, including live blogs each night.
The final night of the Democratic national convention is under way – follow live updates
Major news networks are likely to carry primetime programming. In the US, PBS will have live coverage beginning at 8pm ET each night.
What will Kamala Harris talk about?
Harris’s speech will lay out her personal story as she runs to become the first woman and first woman of color as president of the United States.
Tyler, her communications director, said she will share her vision for the future and outline a contrast with Donald Trump.
“On that stage tonight, you’ll see a champion for working people all across the country, a defender of our fundamental freedoms and a prosecutor who will make the case against Donald Trump,” he said. “Most importantly, what you’ll see is the next president of the United States.”
What else has happened so far at the 2024 convention?
The first night of the convention included speeches from Biden, Hillary Clinton and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the convention.
Joe Biden closed out the first night, delivering a reflective and optimistic 50-minute address, urging the nation to elect Harris to protect American democracy.
Both Barack and Michelle Obama gave full-throated endorsements of Harris Wednesday night, with Barack Obama arguing: “America is ready for a new chapter. America is ready for a better story. We are ready for a President Kamala Harris.”
On Wednesday night, former president Bill Clinton preached a message of unity, praised Biden and celebrated the hope that Harris’s campaign has brought to the race.
Tim Walz, the vice-presidential hopeful, used his speech to talk about his personal story, including his military service and his family’s fertility journey, and called on his supporters to step up with urgency for the remainder of the campaign.
What else is there to know about the 2024 convention?
The Democratic national convention is being held in Chicago, Illinois, from 19-22 August.
Party leaders have emphasized that the theme of the week will be “passing the torch” to a new generation of leaders, reflecting Harris’s ascension to the nomination after Biden abandoned his presidential campaign last month.
Each day of the convention has had a specific theme:
Monday: For the People
Tuesday: A Bold Vision for America’s Future
Wednesday: A Fight for Our Freedoms
Thursday: For Our Future
