OK, so this is probably the second weirdest 4/20 ever.
What started as an inside joke between friends in the 1970s San Rafael has become the most ubiquitous phrase for cannabis users around the world, but what does that look like in the year 2021? It’s been 13 months since the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic aka Covid-19, put a halt to just about every traditional 4/20 event, gathering, and sesh in the country. Stoners are itching for a proper celebration. It’s also been a year of fires and loud calls for industry equity and restorative justice, and a lot of waiting.
Thankfully, a year indoors and online has given operators the time to innovate their Zoom calls and Google Hangouts and improve in ways they may never have thought of. One company, Glass House Farms, started their version of cannabis Coachella, while Berner is preparing to ascend to media mogul.
“After more than a year of pandemic living, we were really missing live music. We figured that others were in the same boat and nothing goes better with music than cannabis,” says Graham Farrar, President & Chief Cannabis Officer of Glass House Group. “We found a partner who has been successful in throwing COVID-safe events in the past and came up with something awesome: the first (and not the last), hybrid-digital-and-in-person version of Glass House Fest.”
Beloved traditions like San Francisco’s Hippie Hill are still effectively off the table, but check out these virtual and or/distanced events that are all a year in the making. And if you and your loved ones got the jab, feel free to host your own clandestine, CDC-compliant 4/20; the Waldos would approve.
Northern California’s best 4/20 events
Berner Presents Couch Locked By Cookies – 420 Comedy Special Event
The annual stoned mass gathering in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park on ‘Hippie Hill’ could not obtain its annual 4/20 permit last year. So Cookies cannabis company CEO and Bay Area rapper Berner pivoted to an online concert and fundraiser for those in the industry struggling in the early days of the pandemic.
A year later, he’s going bigger and better with the launch of the Couch Lock Network, a digital media platform for music, comedy, and cannabis culture content. The network’s debut event is the Couch Locked by Cookies – 420 Comedy Special—a Livestream event at San Francisco’s BEI hotel. The matinee-style show includes comedy from the likes of Bob Saget, Michael Blackson, and Chappelle Show’s Donnell Rawlings, with musical performances and mystery guests hosted by Berner himself.
- Date: April 20, 1 p.m.
- Where: San Francisco, CA and via Livestream
- Tickets: $25+
High, San Francisco – Scavenger hunt
As a form of ‘scavenger hunt,’ adults age 21 and older can go around the city, taking selfies at historic cannabis locations, and checking in. Top three fastest teams win $200 in prizes. Ticket includes a swag bag with products, accessories, and coupons.
When: April 17, 12-4 p.m.
Where: San Francisco, CA
Tickets: $35 early bird (sold-out);$50 general
MLB: Oakland Athletics vs Minnesota Twins
On the slight chance you gave up cannabis during the pandemic, maybe you’d prefer to watch a sport? Enjoy a few brewskis and perhaps a discreet vape pen as you watch America’s favorite pastime, live from Oakland Arena.
- Date: April 20, 6:40 p.m.
- Where: Oakland, CA
- Tickets: $15–$77
Southern California’s best 4/20 events
Glass House Fest with Flying Lotus
Glass House Farms and mobile recording studio Jam in a Van team up to bring a private festival experience to a select few, featuring musical act Flying Lotus and comedian Mike E. Winfield.
- Date: April 20, 6:30 p.m.
- Where: Secret location in Los Angeles, CA; and free Livestream
- Tickets: $100+
No Cap presents: Cypress Hill at The Roxy
Roll your blunts ahead of time for this blended virtual and in-person concert event with some of the best to ever do it. Cypress Hill presents a set of their biggest hits at the Roxy Theatre; VIPs will be able to join the pre-show smoke sesh. (BREAL also debuts his new Insane Churro edible with Big Pete’s at Dr. Greenthumb Sylmar 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
- Date: April 20; 4:20 p.m.
- Where: The Roxy Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
- Tickets: $17.50–$25
4/20 Pineapple Express @ Electric Dusk Drive-In
Pull up in Glendale to watch process server Dale Denton’s weed-induced antics in one of the greatest stoner movies of all time.
- Date: April 20, 8 p.m.
- Where: Glendale Sears Parking Lot, Glendale, CA
- Tickets: $23+
The 4/20 420 Comedy Extravanganja
Hella funny comedian Ngaio Bealum’s monthly 420 Comedy Extravanganja finally arrives in its ideal month. Also featuring Brian Posehn, Maggie Maye, Serena Gamboa, Wendy Lewis and Cory Showtime Robinson. The entire show happens through Zoom, which provides performers the feedback of seeing a live audience, but you get to stay home getting lit AF and don’t have to take an Uber afterward.
- Date: April 20, 6 p.m.
- Where: Via Zoom (download it ahead of time)
- Tickets: $10-$30
Washington’s best 4/20 events
SPLIFF Film Festival
Back for its third offering of stoney, zany, what-did-I-just-smoke offering of short films, the SPLIFFFilm Festival is going on-demand this year. You can stream this year’s lineup, which includes films about buds as strippers, Nancy Reagan, and aliens.
- Date: April 16–24, with a special virtual smokeout on 4/20 at 9 p.m. PST
- Where: Virtually, anywhere
- Tickets: $20
Oregon’s best 4/20 Events
Chalice Farms Public Art Display
Missing a stoned trip to the museums? Chalice Farms dispensaries in Oregon have teamed up with Berlin-based artist James Reka to provide a gallery-like experience of digital art at all seven locations
- Date: April 20, all-day
- Where: All Chalice dispensary locations, Oregon
- Tickets: Free!
Colorado’s best 4/20 events
Edu-tainment™ Earth Expo
Celebrate Mother Earth and all her horticultural delights all day. Choose between or all of the three scheduled sessions that pairs cannabis with education, self-care, and indulgence, including a yoga brunch and a dinner with hip hop musical accompaniment.
- Date: April 20, 11 a.m.
- Where: Lakewood, CO
- Tickets: $22–$82
New York’s best 4/20 Events
David Peel 420 Memorial
Honor the legacy of underground musician David Peel from on-site at The Bowery Electric or from the comfort of your living room. Other musical guests include SOULCAKE and Sea Monster.
Massachusetts’ best 4/20 Events
Mayflower Dispensary Pop-Up
Now Massachusetts cannabis lovers can enjoy their 4/20 en masse, in Mass! Mayflower, a vertically integrated dispensary in Worcester is hosting a 4/20 pop-up with bountiful hot dogs, caricature portraits, and a slew of New England vendors.
- Date: April 17, 12 p.m.
- Where: Worcester, MA
- Tickets: Free!
More 4/20 events around the US
Dazed and Amused Drive-In Party
Washington DC’s National Cannabis Festival pivots to a drive-in double feature of How High and The Big Lebowski.
- Date: April 17, 8 p.m
- Where: RFK Campus, Washington DC
- Tickets: $45-$165
Ganjalina and the Weed Fairies Burlesque
Missed the actual 4/20? Kick back on the couch the weekend after and enjoy a lineup of magical, toking burlesque performers as they “puff and play with their pasties.”
- Date: April 24, 8 p.m.
- Where: Anywhere with Wifi
- Tickets: $4.20
The Great American Sesh-In industry mixer
Tue in via Twitch to the sexy sounds of Thievery Corporation’s Rob Garza, plus DJ Shortkut. Hosted by Chris Riggins. Industry talk from Andrew DeAngelo.
- Date: April 20, 4-7 p.m.
- Where: Twitch; and The Midway SF (outdoor)
- Tickets: Free online; in-person by invite only
Are we missing a cool concert, Livestream, or drive-in party? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll update our list.
New York-based freelance cannabis journalist Amelia Williams is a graduate of San Francisco State University's journalism program, and a former budtender. Williams has contributed to the San Francisco Chronicle's GreenState, MG Magazine, Culture Magazine, and Cannabis Now, Kirkus Reviews, and The Bold Italic.
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