Top Cannabis Festivals in the U.S to Attend in Early 2020

By M. Carroll on January 7, 2020Cannabis Events
Top Cannabis Festivals in the U.S to Attend in Early 2020

It drives me nuts. You want to plan your travel to 2020 cannabis festivals only to see “Dates not confirmed.” So, you may want to start with those having dates certain.

You might also want to differentiate festivals from trade shows and expos. Many events are leading up to 4/20, but you could zoom into the following:

  • Salacious Indulgence: If this is your thing, Detroit will end 2019 with an indulgent New Year’s Eve party from Dec. 31, 2019, 9:00 PM to Jan. 1, 2020 AM at the cannabis Grand Venue. They promote this as a stimulating and sensual experience with a premier aerialist, bondage artist, flame thrower, and seductive models. It comes with guest valet parking, coat check, cash bar, buffet, dancing, and DJs. Tickets range from $50 to $400.
  • KushStock Festival 9: This March 21st festival has and always will be a free general admission festival at The Adelanto Stadium in Adelanto, CA. They host you with free water, clean bathrooms, live music, art, and glassblowing. A $10 fast pass will move you through lines quickly. A $100 VIP ticker gets you a gift bad and access to the VIP Lounge with sampling and judging. Their $50 VIP ticket will secure your VIP main stage seating.
  • 420 Stoner Fest: Washington, DC welcomes festival celebrants for the fifth year. Tickets are posted now for $15 to $100 for the gathering on Monday, April 20th. They boast music, food, and fireworks along with the nation’s leading activists, speakers, cultivators, and speakers. You will need a ticket and a state-issued ID showing you are 21 or over. They should answer your questions at Giftsfromtheearthdc@gmail.com.
  • National Cannabis Festival: On April 18, 2020, the Saturday before the 420 Stoner Fest, Washington, DC’s RFK Stadium hosts its annual festival. With its large safe grounds, the festival has always been a favorite, this year with Ludacris, Action Bronson, DJ Biz Markie, and more. Early bird tickets go for $35 with access to its all-day music festival and educational pavilion. The $295 includes a private entrance, free beer and wine, a catered lunch and dinner, access to a VIP tent and furnished lounge, a VIP concert viewing platform, an after-party, and more. You must show proof of age (21+) and know quoted prices do not include taxes and fees.
  • Pennsylvania Cannabis Festival: This smaller free admission festival is pet and family-friendly. Held at Renninger’s Antique & Farmers’ Market in the university town of Kutztown, PA, it’s on the eastern edge of Pennsylvania Dutch Country and not far west of Allentown. They are promoting 50 vendors, live music, canna-centric speakers, and discussion Panels. Open from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Saturday, April 18 and April 19. Remember, recreational cannabis has not been legalized in Pennsylvania, but you may want to support the advocates speaking there.
  • Hippie Hill: San Francisco’s Hippie Hill has been a somewhat impromptu ritual to celebrate all things cannabis on April 20th since the 1970s in Golden Gate Park. It’s become more organized, but it still features ad hoc music performances at random stages. Admission is free with people arriving from all directions. California does not permit public consumption, but this is San Frisco after all.
  • High Times – Cannabis Cup – Sacramento: California’s capital hosts the High Times Cannabis Cup at Cal Expo Fairgrounds on April 20 (Noon to 10:00 PM) and April 21 (Noon to 8:00 PM). It’s a canna-infused festival featuring Rae Sremmurd, Schoolboy Q, Soulja Boy, Too $hort, Afroman, Willy J Peso, King Kahali, and more. There’s no alcohol sold or permitted. Admission each day pass is $50 ($100 VIP) or $75 for the two days ($160 VIP). This festival was canceled last year, so you might follow closely.
  • FlyHi 420 Festival: Denver’s Mile High Festival takes over the city’s beautiful Civic Center Park on April 20th. This gathering is free and draws upwards of 50,000 guests. Visitors can expect live music acts, including T.I. and Jermaine Dupri and provisions by Denver’s best food trucks. Public cannabis consumption is illegal, but there will be beer gardens.

Even more to come!

This list features “festivals” and excludes expos and conventions. Those are important meetings and deserve their own focus, but they are not offered as festivals. It also does not include the many Cannabis Cups and similar events held around the country. Finally, it does not include those events that have not confirmed their dates and venues. There will certainly be more 4/20 events, but their dates and places are not certain yet.

We’ll cover those events as they near and the important cannacons and expos on a different list. But with many states on the verge of legalization of medical and/or recreational cannabis use, you might want to join local advocacy events as voting approaches. You may want to increase your education in cultivation, processing, testing, and retailing. And, you may want to learn what you can about the FDA’s position on edibles, vaping, and cannabis-sourced prescription pharmaceuticals. The information’s out there. In the meantime, you can focus on 4/20 for festival fun.