Cannabis rallies, festivals and parties have been around since the 70’s as a way to celebrate, educate, and protest weed laws around the world. Typically popping up on or around April 20th, 420 friendly events provide one day of freedom and fun with like-minded pals. While we love having something to look forward to, we decided that one day just isn’t enough. If you want to check out a cannabis event — but aren’t quite sure where to start—don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. Here are 28 of the world’s best 420 events that you can attend all year round.
*All dates are subject to change due to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines and world-wide travel bans.
Expoweed: Mexico’s first and largest 420 industry event
When: October 1st – October 3rd, 2021
Where: Mexico City, Mexico
In 2018, Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled that the near 100-year law prohibiting the recreational use of marijuana was unconstitutional, setting a nationwide precedent across the country’s court system. Culturally, weed is quickly growing in popularity, from 7 percent of citizens in favor of legalizing weed in 2008 to 33 percent in favor just a few years later. Enter Expoweed: Mexico’s first and largest 420 friendly industry event, celebrating on education, commercial use, and, of course, consumers.
Great Midwest Marijuana Festival: the longest running cannabis legalization rally in the US
When: October 3rd, 2021
Where: Wisconsin State Capital, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
The Great Midwest Marijuana Harvest Festival is the longest running cannabis legalization rally and 420-friendly event in the US. The festival began as a smoke-in at the Madison’s State Capitol Rotunda to protest the cannabis related arrests of cannabis legalization activists in the 1970’s. 2021 will celebrate the 51st anniversary of the first Harvest Festival with a march to the capital, rally at the capital steps, kick-off party, speakers, music, and weed-friendly vendors.
Cultiva: a gigantic hemp fair and pool party
When: November 19th- November 21st, 2021
Where: Eventhotel Pyramide, Vösendorf, Austria
Since its first hemp fair in 2008, Cultiva has set out to provide a fun and safe platform for the hemp plant and everyone interested in its many uses. At the Cultiva garden area, expect live performances, a chill-out weed cafe, weed club, and some serious weed-friendly gastronomic delicacies. Stay late for the traditional Cultiva pool party (you heard me right) for fun all through the night.
ExpoCannabis: Uruguay’s magnificent cannabis expo
When: December 3rd- December 5th, 2021
Where: Centro de eventos LATU, Montevideo, Uruguay
In 2013, Uruguay’s President, Jose Mujica, signed legislation to legalize recreational cannabis, making it the very first country to fully legalize cannabis nationwide and one of the most weed-friendly countries in the world. One part social event, one part industry convention, ExpoCannabis Uruguay is an “unprecedented celebration, with international guests and the presence of the best local artists.” With amazing speakers on law, legislation, and medicine, workshops on indoor cultivation, hundreds of vendors and event activations, and an impeccable infusion of art and food, ExpoCannabis Uruguay is the perfect convention for the cannabis enthusiast.
Canapa Mundi: a unique blend of growers, producers, distributors, shops, and consumers
When: February 11th-February 13th, 2022
Where: Fiera di Roma, Rome, Italy
If you’re looking for a meeting point for producers, consumers, growers, distributors, retailers, and non-profits to convene, Canapa Mundi is where it’s at. Set in the dream-like city of Rome, Italy, at this year’s cannabis event, you can expect: workshops, conferences, video-shows, exhibitions, stands and over 40,000 attendees.
Hash Bash: Michigan’s politically-charged 420 celebration
When: April 2nd, 2022
Where: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
The very first Hash Bash was held in 1972 in direct response to the famous Michigan Supreme Court ruling that landed marijuana activist, John Sinclair, a 10-year prison sentence for giving an undercover cop two joints. Today, Hash Bash has a lot to celebrate: medical marijuana victories, reduced police involvement, thousands of guests, and support from famous activists, musicians, writers, and celebrities. 2022 marks the seventh year of the Hash Bash Cup: a growers competition.
National Cannabis Festival: Washington DC’s massive 420 party
When: April 22nd, 2022
Where: RFK Festival Grounds, Washington, DC, USA
With killer views of the Anacostia River, the 420 friendly National Cannabis Festival is held on the lawn at the RFK Festival Grounds in the heart of Washington, DC. In its 8th year, look forward to: a massive exhibitor fair with demos, swag, and gear, CannaTalk: a chance to pitch your own cannabis biz, weed weddings, a mouth-watering munchies zone, sessions, panels, and live music all day and night.
420 Hyde Park: the UK’s biggest smoke-out
When: April 20th, 2022
Where: Hyde Park, London, England
The UK’s biggest smoke-out, 420 Hyde Park, reached new heights in 2019 with thousands of attendees and well-organized stages for speakers, panels, live music, and peaceful protests. While there is often a strong police presence, last year, the cops’ primary focus wasn’t even weed. “We are not like the French police going in hard,” one sergeant told the Daily Mail, “I am more concerned for their health because there are a lot of pasty white people out here today.” Word.
Mile High 420 Festival: celebrating the booming cannabis industry in Denver
When: April 20th, 2022
Where: Civic Center Park, Denver, Colorado, USA
As the first state to legalize cannabis in the US, Colorado has a leg up on the world’s marijuana movement. As a result, Mile High 420 Festival draws advocates from around the world, re-imagining what the holiday has represented in the past, and continuing to fight the stigma while celebrating the booming cannabis industry in Denver. Look forward to headliner international entertainment, local music, vendors, and so much more.
420 Vancouver: Vancouver’s best (and most controversial) 420 friendly event
When: April 20th, 2022
Where: Sunset Beach Park, Vancouver, BC, Canada
The 420 Smoke Out is Vancouver’s best (and most controversial) 420 friendly event. Celebrating the city’s cannabis culture since 1995, the festival grew from a small gathering at Victory Square Park in ’95 to over 100,000 expected attendees at Sunset Beach in 2022. Guests can look forward to live music, speakers and a giant cannabis farmers market for all of your 420 needs.
420 Hippie Hill: San Fransisco’s giant 420 event celebrating the ganja plant
When: April 20th, 2022
Where: Golden Gate Park, San Fransisco, California, USA
4/20 at Hippie Hill is a tradition that dates back to the 70’s. Each year, tens of thousands of people arrive in San Fransisco from all over the world to celebrate the ganja plant in one amazing 420 friendly event. This year marks the first that attendees can actually purchase weed inside the park, so we’re thinking that 2022 is going to be a seriously special smoke out.
Spannabis: the cannabis event with the absolute best name on this list
When: March 11th-March 13th, 2022
Where: Fira de Cornellá, Business Center, Barcelona, Spain
The cannabis event with the absolute best name on this list, Spannabis celebrates eighteen years of culture innovation in the cannabis industry. This year, the Barcelona festival is partnering with the World Cannabis Conferences to bring fresh voices in cannabis science, medicine and politics. With over 420 friendly 300 exhibitors, awards, a professional growers cup, music and art, Spannabis is an event that you don’t want to miss.
The Cannabis Expo: a global 420 friendly marketplace for education, innovation, products and businesses serving the cannabis industry
When: March 24th – March 27th, 2022
Where: Capetown, South Africa
The Cannabis Expo is a global 420 friendly marketplace for education, innovation, products and businesses serving the cannabis industry in beautiful Pretoria, South Africa. The 420 expo is open to all, with industry talks every half-hour, a giant expo hall, and a signature Canaberry Vape Lounge, the perfect place for attendees to sit back, relax, and do a little “product testing” in a chill and quiet space.
Emerald Cup: the largest organic and sun-grown cannabis competition in the world
When: Spring 2022
Where: Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa, California, USA
The Emerald Cup is Northern California’s ultimate cannabis destination and 420 event. It’s the largest organic and sun-grown cannabis competition in the world, priding itself in “bringing together experts and educators in the cannabis field to our fellow farmers, patients, and patrons each year.” Look forward to a 420 friendly festival full of crazy cool music, speakers, talks, sessions, live podcast recordings, and of course, the cannabis contest.
SweetWater 420 Fest: america’s eco-friendly music and 420 fest
When: April 29th -May 1st, 2022
Where: Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
A music fest with a friendly twist, SweetWater 420 blends live tunes, art, food, sustainability, and, of course, 420-inspired brews! The rescheduled 2022 SweetWater 420 line-up includes Oysterhead, the Trey Anastasio Band, Snoop Dogg, Umphrey’s McGee, and many many more. The best part? SweetWater 420 Fest’s eco-friendly focus grows each year, helping with transportation alternatives, waste reduction and management, and huge donations to local parks and organizations.
CannaTrade: Europe’s oldest cannabis fair
When: May 20th – May 22nd, 2022
Where: BernExpo, Bern, Switzerland
Say hey to Europe’s oldest cannabis fair and 420 friendly event: CannaTrade. Full of action since 2001, expect more than 250 exhibitors from around the world, a business lounge, a comfortable Chillout-Area, this joint roll contest, and Hemp Food Festival for a delicious post-fest feast.
The Bright Side Festival: an exclusive beach party at an all-inclusive 420 resort
When: 2022 TBD
Where: Jewel Paradise Cove Resort & Spa, Runaway Bay, Jamaica
Do you like resorts? Spas? Live music? All-inclusive beach parties? Head to The Bright Side Festival to check all those boxes and more. Hosted in tropical Runaway Bay, Jamaica, this exclusive 420 friendly vacation promises four nights of shows on the beach, just feet from the Caribbean sea. 420 festival packages include accommodations, food, open bar, transportation, and performances. If you want to stay longer, the resort will help you explore the Jamaica with scuba and snorkeling, island excursions, and a Bob Marley tour.
420 Toronto: a place for Canadians to come together in the spirit of openness, community and democracy
When: 2022 TBD
Where: Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto, Canada
The Toronto 420 Festival is an annual free event with a rad line up of speakers, bands, performers, and comedians. In addition to showing off local talent and entertainment, this fest “puts into action the democratic principles cherished by Torontonians in a show of support of Toronto’s cannabis culture.”
4.20 Hemp Fest: a weed event that features 15 countries, 200 exhibitors and 10,000 sq. feet of fun
When: 2022 TBD
Where: East End Studios, Milan, Italy
4.20 Hemp Fest 2022 offers three days of 420 friendly cannabis events with over 15 countries, 200 exhibitors and 10,000 sq. feet of fun. The festival’s shining star, the Cannabis Light Cup, is a competition for growers and producers around the world.
Nimbin MardiGrass: participate in a fun game of Tug O’ Drug War (police vs stoners)
When: 2022 TBD
Where: Nimbin Showgrounds, Nimbin, New South Wales, Australia
Nimbin MardiGrass is an annual rally, celebration, and 420 event in the village of Nimbin, northern Australia. Since its start in 1993, MardiGrass has been held to “protest the drug laws, educate people on the various uses of cannabis (medicinal, industrial, recreational & spiritual) and to celebrate the culture that has grown over the last 47 years.” Nimbin 420 festival attendees can look forward to an opening ceremony, law reform rally and parade, a fun game of Tug O’ Drug War (police vs stoners), speakers, industrial hemp expo, hemp olympics, comedy, yoga, ganja faeries, music, and so much more.
High Times Cannabis Cup: the world’s largest cannabis experience
When: 2022 TBD
Where: Nevada, Illinois, and Massachusetts
Amateur hour is over. High Times Cannabis Cup is the world’s largest cannabis experience, competition, and 420 friendly event. What started in Amsterdam in 1987 is now a world-wide spectacular, with events and judges rotating from city to city each year. Two years ago, High Times hit up Vegas’ famous NuWu Cannabis Marketplace (a recreational dispensary with a 24 hour drive thru) and allowed ticket holders to see and interact with over 50 cannabis brands from across the state, attend smoke sessions with professional athletes and celebs like Floyd Mayweather and Mike Tyson, dig into food trucks, and more.
Hempfest Seattle: a political rally and demonstration protesting the imprisonment of folks who use cannabis
When: 2022 TBD
Where: Myrtle Edwards & Centennial Parks, Seattle, Washington, USA
Celebrating its 29th year, Hempfest Seattle is a free political rally and demonstration around the criminalization and imprisonment of folks who use cannabis. While “freedom first and the cannabis plant second” is their motto, attendees can still expect exhibits, displays, and panel discussions at the Hemposium and live music that varies year to year. Can’t make it? Stop by Hempfest Central —the festival’s hemp boutique and 420 Culture store— for a dose of Hempfest all year long!
CannaFest: Prague’s nerdy cannabis fest
When: 2022 TBD
Where: PVA Expo, Prague, Czech Republic
Cannafest is a 420 friendly fest heavily focused on cultivation tech, fertilizers, seeds, smoking accessories, hemp clothes and cosmetics. Its record-breaking 10th year featured over 270 exhibitors and drew over 30,000 attendees.
Pan Ram Festival: Thailand’s first 420 event
When: 2022 TBD
Where: Chang International Circuit, Buriram City, Thailand
Last year, one twenty-something woman set fire to Thailand’s severe anti-drug culture by hosting the country’s first marijuana festival. Dubbed Pan Ram (Pan Buriram), this three-day 420 friendly festival aims to promote awareness and understanding for a plant that has been systemically stigmatized by the government. With 24-hours of art installations, vendor stalls, panel discussions, workshops and live tunes, the festival’s founder, Nan Chidchob, aims to show the country what weed culture was really like: peace, love, and good music. We think she’s nailing it.
Hanfparade: a pro-canabis march and rally in the heart of Berlin, Germany
When: 2022 TBD
Where: Neptunbrunnen, Berlin, Germany
Hanfparade is the premiere pro-Cannabis march in Germany. Each year in August, over 10,000 participants gather for the legislation of cannabis as a resource, medicine and recreational drug. Their goal? To “make the plant hemp known and interesting again in the full range of its uses and to reduce the prejudice and stigmatization, which are still widespread among the German people.” On top of the march, there are stages for speakers and live music at this cannabis event. And trust us, the after parties are where it’s at.
Kaya Fest: an incredible roster of reggae-influenced artists
When: 2022 TBD
Where: TBD
Created in honor of Bob Marley and curated by his son, Stephen Marley, Kaya Fest is a historic gathering of some of the greatest working artists in music today. Each year, Kaya Fest invites an incredible roster of reggae-influenced artists, including Ms. Lauryn Hill, Snoop Dogg, Cypress Hill, Pitbull, Sean Paul, and more.
SPLIFF Film Fest: a 420 festival for “films that are fun to watch when you’re stoned as hell!”
When: 2022 TBD
Where: TBD
The SPLIFF Film Festival is a fest for filmmakers, artists, and animators to share original short films (4:20 maximum length!) that explore some seriously stoner themes. From fresh takes on pot culture to comedy to “mind-blowing weirdness,” SPLIFF is a 420 festival that can’t be missed.