Every April, 4/20 turns into cannabis culture’s unofficial New Year’s Eve – a day (and weekend) packed with music, food, advocacy and, of course, plenty of green. Across the U.S., certain parties have earned a reputation as must-visit celebrations for cannabis fans who want more than just a living room smoke session.
Below are some of the standout 420 parties and festivals worth putting on the travel calendar.
Mile High 420 Festival – Denver, Colorado
Denver has long claimed the “420 capital” crown, and the Mile High 420 Festival is a big reason why. Held at Civic Center Park in the heart of downtown, the event brings together thousands of attendees for live music, food trucks, and sponsor activations, with general admission and VIP tickets available for adults 21+.
What makes this party special is the mix of protest and party: Colorado’s pioneering legal market gives the festival a celebratory tone, but advocacy booths and education still have a visible presence. It’s the classic “Denver 4/20” experience: sunshine, mountains in the distance, and a crowd that treats cannabis like a normal part of city life.
Planet 13’s “Dazed & Amazed” – Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas has embraced 4/20 as another excuse to go big. At Planet 13, one of the world’s largest cannabis dispensaries, the “Dazed & Amazed” 4/20 event turns the massive superstore into a full-blown party, with music, on-site consumption in their lounge, vendor activations, raffles, and plenty of swag.
Reporting in Las Vegas has highlighted how 4/20 weekend has become a major business driver for local cannabis companies, bringing visitors who plan their trips around the holiday. For party-minded travelers, that means club-style energy, late-night options, and a city that’s already built for spectacle.
National Cannabis Festival – Washington, D.C.
While not held exactly on April 20 every year, the National Cannabis Festival in Washington, D.C. carries the same spirit – just on a grander, multi-day scale. Hosted at the RFK Festival Grounds, the annual event features major musical headliners, exhibitors, munchies, advocacy programming and educational sessions.
Because it happens steps from the U.S. Capitol, the festival blends fun with policy in a very visible way, giving attendees a chance to vibe to live music while also hearing from reform groups and industry leaders.
Seattle’s 420Fest & Hempfest Community
Up in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle’s long-running Hempfest has helped anchor the city’s cannabis culture for decades, spawning smaller satellite events like 420Fest. These gatherings combine live music, vendors, activism, and networking for cannabis enthusiasts, entrepreneurs and advocates.
For travelers, Seattle’s 4/20 scene feels a little more grassroots: waterfront parks, local bands, and a focus on reform and community, not just sales.
The Bay Area’s Evolving 4/20 Scene
San Francisco’s Hippie Hill 4/20 smoke-out in Golden Gate Park helped cement 420 as a global cannabis holiday, but recent years have seen the official event canceled due to funding and city logistics. That hasn’t stopped the Bay Area from celebrating: local event calendars show a packed lineup of alternative celebrations, from pizza-and-pot pop-ups and smoke rooms to wellness gatherings, art shows and music-driven parties.
For visitors, it’s less about one giant gathering and more about hopping between creative, neighborhood-level experiences that showcase Northern California’s deep cannabis roots.
Planning a 420 Party Trip
Wherever they go, smart 4/20 travelers always check local laws on public consumption, age limits, and designated consumption spaces, and rely on official festival sites or tourism boards for the latest schedules and rules. With a bit of planning, 4/20 can shift from “just another smoke session” to a memorable, once-a-year celebration of culture, community and legalization progress.