Your guide to 4/20 events in Denver
Denver’s week-long celebration of 4/20 dips a toe into nearly every aspect of Colorado’s culture.
As the state’s cannabis industry grows, so do the size and scope of its events. From concerts to food festivals and high society soirées, here is your definitive guide to 4/20 events in Denver for 2018.
Concerts and Music Festivals
4/20 weekend at Red Rocks Amphitheatre – April 19-21
Instead of one evening of celebratory music, Red Rocks has blessed Colorado with three heady nights. On April 19, the historic venue hosts 311, Method Man & Redman. On April 20, see Flosstradamus, followed by Opuio + SYZYGY Orchesta and Sunsquabi on April 21.
Smokin’ on the Funk 4/20 Fest: Rowdy Shadehouse – April 20
Globeville’s historic-yet-newly-reinvigorated dive Globe Hall will be throwing its first official 4/20 Fest with Rowdy Shadehouse, LOG and DJ Lucky Luck. Not only does it promise to be “far out”, organizers say it’s “Denver’s only sex positive 4/20 fest.” The show is 21-and-up and costs between $15-$25. Find tickets here.
Mile High 420 Festival – April 20
This year, Civic Center Park tries to capture some of its legendary magic for the 4/20 holiday with new sponsors and a new vibe (as more of a celebration instead of a protest). With dispensary Euflora at the helm, the Mile High 4/20 Festival will feature headliners Lil Wayne, Lil Jon and The Original Wailers. Find out more about the free event, including an entire list of musical acts and more on the controversy leading up to it, here.
Snoop Dogg performs at Red Rocks Amphitheater as a part of his 420 Wellness Retreat in Morrison, Colorado on April 20, 2014. (Photo by Seth McConnell/The Denver Post)
Snoop’s 420 Wellness Retreat – April 20
Snoop Dogg has a thing for Denver. Snoop’s Wellness Retreat returns to the Mile High City on April 20, 2018. The all-ages show at Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre will co-headline Migos and feature Lil Pump, Rob Stone, Tiara Thomas and more special guests to be announced. Find tickets here.
Afroman at The Gothic – April 20
I was gonna finish writing this article, but then I got high. The legendary cannabis rapper Afroman is coming to town for the holiday. Presented by 107.9 KBPI, catch Afroman for an early 5:30 p.m. show at the Gothic with David Frederick, SwizZy B and more special guests to be announced. Find tickets here.
Tasha Taylor 19, of Denver lighting a joint on April 20, 2017. (Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post)
420 on the Block – April 20-22
New location, new headliner, same ole’ cannabis enthusiasts. This year, 4/20 on the Block has pulled out all the stops with a three-day festival lineup that includes headliner Action Bronson on top of more famous artists within the cannabis-music world: Matisyahu, Michael Menert, Break Science and Washed Out. Sponsored by The Green Solution, the three day fest will take place at the funky, mural-laden Fox Street Compound on Denver’s northside. “This is an event for smokers not stoners,” one of the event’s organizers Adam St. Simons said. “It’s becoming more and more diversified.” Find tickets here.
Later at 10 p.m., an after party with Michael Menert & The Pretty Fantastics will meet at The Gothic. Menert will be joined by Adam Deitch Producer Set feat. Chris Karns (PL Live), Borahm Lee (Break Science), Daily Bread and Tortuga. Find tickets here.
420 Fest With Lethal Injektion – April 18, 20-22
Dubbed by organizers as “the state’s biggest stoner party,” a 4/20 music and arts fest is going down in Colorado Springs at the Speakeasy Vape Lounge and Cannabis Club. Musical acts include Pastor Troy on April 18, LoveRance on April 20, Lethal Injektion on April 21 and Layzie Bone on April 22. Find more information here.
“Reefer Madness: The Musical” opens this week at Equinox Theatre. (Photo provided by Equinox Theatre Company)
Other “High Society” events
Reefer Madness: The Musical – April 6-28
Equinox Theatre Company Presents: Reefer Madness: The Musical, a play written by Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney. The musical will premiere this week at The Bug Theatre at 3654 Navajo Street in Denver and runs April 6 through 28. $20 in advance/$25 at the door, find tickets here.
RiNo Cares: Cannabis Health and Wellness Fair – April 15
Wellness, health and cannabis all work in harmony over 4/20. This first-time event will come to Cultivated Synergy event center at 2901 Walnut Street on April 15, 2018. The free event restricted to those 21-and-older will offer health screenings, medical marijuana care provider registrations, healthy cooking demonstrations, panels for industry discussions, locally made products and even creative demonstrations, organizers say. Find out more here.
TedxMileHigh: Colorado’s Cannabis Conversation – April 18
Moderated by The Cannabist’s former editor in chief Ricardo Baca, speakers to expect at the TedXMileHigh event include Dr. Doris Gundersen, an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado, Dr. Laura F. Martin is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and addiction specialist Ben Cort, a past TEDxMileHigh speaker. The free event will happen at Wednesday, April 18, 6 to 8 p.m. at Galvanize on Platte, 1644 Platte Street. Register here.
Sensi Mag launch party on April 22, 2016. (Photo by Lindsey Bartlett, The Cannabist)
Sensi Night Two-Year Anniversary – April 19
Sensi Magazine will celebrate its second anniversary with a 4/20 party on Thursday, April 19, 7 p.m. at dual locations on south Broadway. The event will take place at both Temple Nightclub 1136 Broadway and Cluyb Vinyl 1082 Broadway, and is free to the 21-and-up public when you RSVP here.
The 4/20 Ganja Goblet and Concentrate Cup – April 20
The Ganja Goblet and The Concentrate Cup hope to determine the best of each respective category in Colorado with 8 judges determining each local entry. The competition will culminate with a 21-and-up event with live glass blowing and musical guests. Tickets should cost between $5-$15 and VIP options are available, email [email protected]. More rules and information on the event can be found here.
Mile High Burlesque Fest at The Oriental Theatre – April 20-21
For its second year, the Mile High Burlesque Fest will take over Berkeley’s historic Oriental Theatre on April 20 and 21. This sexy, stoned weekend of dancing and comedy will be hosted by Cora Vette and Hagbard Celine with headliner Ophelia Flame. Find tickets to night one, the 4/20 Showcase Spectacular, and night two, a competition night where they crown winners “Most High”, “Dankest Duo” and “Master of Munchies”.
3rd Annual 420 Weekend Extravaganja – April 20-22
Studio 420, a cannabis-friendly private event space in Englewood that bills itself as a glass shop and a “safe place to consume”, is hosting a 4/20 Weekend Extravaganja. Monthly membership to the space costs $10, with a daily entry fee as well. Find out more about the Extravaganja here.
Mia Desmedt of Denver, CO relaxes in a warmup pose at Yoga With A View hosted by Mason Jar Event Group on Sunday, May 15 2016. (Photo by Vince Chandler / The Denver Post)
Cannabis Kitchen’s 4/20 Earth Day Brunch – April 22
What better way to celebrate Earth Day than by indulging in a cannabis-infused brunch in Boulder’s Fourmile Canyon? Cannabis Kitchen’s 4/20 Earth Day Brunch will pick up a small group of diners and take them to a “classic mountain cabin nestled in the Boulder pines, where they will experience cannabis cooking methodology displayed in a delicious, unforgettable meal.” Robyn Griggs Lawrence, the author who wrote The Cannabis Kitchen Cookbook, as well as Chef Sean Cosby will join the brunchers. Find tickets here.
Ganja Guru Yoga Brunch – April 22
Ganja Guru is one popular yoga-meets-cannabis company in Denver. And during 4/20 weekend, on Sunday, April 22, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., they will host a 21-and-up yoga, cannabis brunch. Find out more about the event happening at Urban Sanctuary, 2745 Welton Street, here.
Mason Jar Spring Fling – April 25
Kendall Norris, the mind behind Mason Jar Event Group, boasts one of the most critically acclaimed cannabis dinner pairing event groups in the nation. It will host its spring dinner on April 25 in Denver, Colorado – a seasonal cannabis pairing dinner with River and Woods, at Space Gallery at 400 Santa Fe Drive. For an invite, visit the website and email the event’s organizers directly.
A scene from Mason Jar Event Group’s Fall dinner (Lisa Siciliano, Dog Daze Photo)
