Each year on the 20th of April (4/20 in the US date format) cannabis lovers around the world gather to both celebrate the plant and, in many places, protest against prohibition.
In 2025, the hallowed date falls on Easter Sunday, which means you can enjoy the company of fellow weed enthusiasts and not have to worry about work in the morning.
There are several claims and theories about the origin of this sacred stoner event, but there is one story that seems to have captured the imagination of most people. Apparently, a group of Californian high school students in the 1970s, who called themselves The Waldos, would meet up in secret after school every day to hang out and smoke weed. The time of the meeting? 4:20 pm.
After spreading to other classmates and, so the story goes, to concert-goers at a Grateful Dead concert, the term ‘420’ eventually became synonymous with cannabis.
Other, slightly less believable theories around 420 involve some much more notable figures from history, including Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, and even Adolf Hitler… Thankfully, other than being born on the day of weed and good vibes, the latter has nothing to do with the holiday.
No matter the true origins of 420, for decades, the 20th of April has been a day of celebration for cannabis advocates not just in the US but in many other countries all around the globe, including here in the UK.
With cannabis reform sweeping the globe, a new government in the UK and growing patient numbers, this (hopefully) sunny bank holiday weekend presents a chance for a great turnout at some of the events happening across the country. Here are all the 420 meetups we know of in the UK so far. Have we missed an event? Let us know and we’ll add it to the list!
The biggest 420 gathering in the UK takes place in London’s Hyde Park. According to Facebook, this annual rally has been going since 1968 – that’s 56 years!
Previous 420 events in the popular London park have attracted record-breaking crowds, including an incredible 50,000 cannabis advocates in 2019. While there are no current ‘official’ 420 event organisers for Hyde Park, the weekend date suggests that we’ll once again see tens of thousands of people making the pilgrimage to this mighty gathering to celebrate all that is weed. People will be celebrating in Hyde Park all day with picnics, speakers and of course, weed galore. Make sure you’re there for 20 past 4, when people spark up en masse creating the biggest outdoor hotbox you’ve ever seen.
When?: 11 am – 5 pm
Where?: Hyde Park, London, W2 2UH
Brighton has a long history of cannabis activism and events. This 420 the city’s plant-powered activists will gather in East Brighton Park, offering a more chilled alternative to the huge crowds in London.
Keen on attending? Pack up what you need for the day and head down from 2pm, entry is free. Don’t forget to take bin bags and clean up before you go. Keep your eye on their Instagram for more info.
When?: 2 pm – 6 pm
Where?: East Brighton Park, BN2 5TS
Bristol has become known for its citizen activism and green credentials (it was the first UK city to be named European Green Capital in 2015), but in recent years, its 420 movement has also been gaining momentum. Outside of London, this is the UK’s liveliest gathering, with thousands of people attending.
Last year’s event saw a number of sound systems and stalls, with the party going on well into the night. While we don’t know of an ‘official’ event being organised one party-minded cannabis lover applied for a sound system licence which was sadly denied, but knowing Bristol, that won’t stop a thing.
When?: 12 pm onwards
Where: Castle Park, Bristol
The city of Durham in the North East of England has some strong canna-credentials, home to the long-standing activist and journalist Simpa Carter, the city has hosted some well-attended protests in the past.
This year the 420 celebrations return to the Hemp Gardens in Old Elvet for a demonstration against the ongoing persecution, vilification, and arbitrary criminalisation of peaceful cannabis consumers, both lawful and unlawful.
Join Simpa and others to celebrate all things Cannabis and Cannabis culture
When?: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Where: Hemp Gardens, Durham Regatta, Elvet Waterside
While not technically in the UK, residents in the Channel Islands can celebrate 420 this year, thanks to Green Retreat Gurnsey and the Channel Islands Cannabis Collective.
Last year’s event was the first-ever 420 celebration for the Channel Islands, and it will return to the Hougue du Pommier Hotel with a lineup of DJs, bands, engaging speakers, tempting food stalls, and an array of product stalls.
The event is ticketed and strictly for over 18s – you can grab tickets from the website here.
When?: 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Where: Hotel Hougue du Pommier, Guernsey
It is not always possible to locate 420 events until a day or two before the celebration. This is often down to the discretion of the organisers – after all, cannabis is still an illegal drug in the UK. In other cases, 420 events can pop up all over the country as spontaneous gatherings of like-minded individuals! But with this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the past events that may give us a clue about a few other 420 events for 2025.
Woodhouse Moor in Leeds’ Hyde Park has become a favourite 420 hotspot among cannabis enthusiasts in the Yorkshire city. In recent years, it has seen big numbers flock to the large park near the University of Leeds and Leeds University Union. While there is no official meet up, most years, hundreds head out to enjoy a smoke among friends old and new – and this year will likely be a similar affair.
Last year, chaos broke loose in Manchester. Many descended on Platt Fields in Fallowfield, the traditional home of 420 for the city. Meanwhile, a few miles up the road in Hulme Park a new ‘official’ 420 event was kicking off, with DJs and MCs throughout the day and into the evening keeping the vibes flowing. Keep an eye on the Mannijuana Facebook group for more info on this year’s get-together.
The short answer is yes, you can be arrested for smoking cannabis on April 20th (420) in the United Kingdom, as cannabis remains a Class B controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The fact that it’s a culturally significant date for cannabis users doesn’t provide any legal protection or exemption. If caught in possession of cannabis, you could face up to five years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both. The police also have the power to issue a warning or an on-the-spot fine of £90 if you’re found with cannabis. Of course, medical cannabis patients are free to consume their prescription legally, and attending a 420 event is a great way to raise awareness of this.
Many areas in the UK have adopted more lenient approaches to cannabis possession through unofficial policies, such as Durham Constabulary’s decision to de-prioritize small-scale personal use. Generally speaking, the police will exercise leniency at large-scale events on 420, and arrests only usually occur for other offences, such as possession with intent to supply.
Considering tens of thousands of people attend cannabis gatherings like the one in London’s Hyde Park, arrests are usually in the single figures, a testament to the good nature of these events.
If you do attend a 420 celebration, be respectful and mindful of others, look out for each other and remember to take home your rubbish. Most of all, enjoy the day.
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In 2025, the hallowed date falls on Easter Sunday, which means you can enjoy the company of fellow weed enthusiasts and not have to worry about work in the morning.
What is 420?
There are several claims and theories about the origin of this sacred stoner event, but there is one story that seems to have captured the imagination of most people. Apparently, a group of Californian high school students in the 1970s, who called themselves The Waldos, would meet up in secret after school every day to hang out and smoke weed. The time of the meeting? 4:20 pm.
After spreading to other classmates and, so the story goes, to concert-goers at a Grateful Dead concert, the term ‘420’ eventually became synonymous with cannabis.
Other, slightly less believable theories around 420 involve some much more notable figures from history, including Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, and even Adolf Hitler… Thankfully, other than being born on the day of weed and good vibes, the latter has nothing to do with the holiday.
No matter the true origins of 420, for decades, the 20th of April has been a day of celebration for cannabis advocates not just in the US but in many other countries all around the globe, including here in the UK.
Where can I celebrate 420 in the UK?
With cannabis reform sweeping the globe, a new government in the UK and growing patient numbers, this (hopefully) sunny bank holiday weekend presents a chance for a great turnout at some of the events happening across the country. Here are all the 420 meetups we know of in the UK so far. Have we missed an event? Let us know and we’ll add it to the list!
420 Hyde Park, London
The biggest 420 gathering in the UK takes place in London’s Hyde Park. According to Facebook, this annual rally has been going since 1968 – that’s 56 years!
Previous 420 events in the popular London park have attracted record-breaking crowds, including an incredible 50,000 cannabis advocates in 2019. While there are no current ‘official’ 420 event organisers for Hyde Park, the weekend date suggests that we’ll once again see tens of thousands of people making the pilgrimage to this mighty gathering to celebrate all that is weed. People will be celebrating in Hyde Park all day with picnics, speakers and of course, weed galore. Make sure you’re there for 20 past 4, when people spark up en masse creating the biggest outdoor hotbox you’ve ever seen.
When?: 11 am – 5 pm
Where?: Hyde Park, London, W2 2UH
Brighton 420 Official
Brighton has a long history of cannabis activism and events. This 420 the city’s plant-powered activists will gather in East Brighton Park, offering a more chilled alternative to the huge crowds in London.
Keen on attending? Pack up what you need for the day and head down from 2pm, entry is free. Don’t forget to take bin bags and clean up before you go. Keep your eye on their Instagram for more info.
When?: 2 pm – 6 pm
Where?: East Brighton Park, BN2 5TS
420 at Castle Park, Bristol
Bristol has become known for its citizen activism and green credentials (it was the first UK city to be named European Green Capital in 2015), but in recent years, its 420 movement has also been gaining momentum. Outside of London, this is the UK’s liveliest gathering, with thousands of people attending.
Last year’s event saw a number of sound systems and stalls, with the party going on well into the night. While we don’t know of an ‘official’ event being organised one party-minded cannabis lover applied for a sound system licence which was sadly denied, but knowing Bristol, that won’t stop a thing.
When?: 12 pm onwards
Where: Castle Park, Bristol
Durham 420
The city of Durham in the North East of England has some strong canna-credentials, home to the long-standing activist and journalist Simpa Carter, the city has hosted some well-attended protests in the past.
This year the 420 celebrations return to the Hemp Gardens in Old Elvet for a demonstration against the ongoing persecution, vilification, and arbitrary criminalisation of peaceful cannabis consumers, both lawful and unlawful.
Join Simpa and others to celebrate all things Cannabis and Cannabis culture
When?: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Where: Hemp Gardens, Durham Regatta, Elvet Waterside
Channel Islands 420 Celebration
While not technically in the UK, residents in the Channel Islands can celebrate 420 this year, thanks to Green Retreat Gurnsey and the Channel Islands Cannabis Collective.
Last year’s event was the first-ever 420 celebration for the Channel Islands, and it will return to the Hougue du Pommier Hotel with a lineup of DJs, bands, engaging speakers, tempting food stalls, and an array of product stalls.
The event is ticketed and strictly for over 18s – you can grab tickets from the website here.
When?: 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Where: Hotel Hougue du Pommier, Guernsey
It is not always possible to locate 420 events until a day or two before the celebration. This is often down to the discretion of the organisers – after all, cannabis is still an illegal drug in the UK. In other cases, 420 events can pop up all over the country as spontaneous gatherings of like-minded individuals! But with this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the past events that may give us a clue about a few other 420 events for 2025.
Woodhouse Moor, Hyde Park, Leeds
Woodhouse Moor in Leeds’ Hyde Park has become a favourite 420 hotspot among cannabis enthusiasts in the Yorkshire city. In recent years, it has seen big numbers flock to the large park near the University of Leeds and Leeds University Union. While there is no official meet up, most years, hundreds head out to enjoy a smoke among friends old and new – and this year will likely be a similar affair.
420 in Manchester
Last year, chaos broke loose in Manchester. Many descended on Platt Fields in Fallowfield, the traditional home of 420 for the city. Meanwhile, a few miles up the road in Hulme Park a new ‘official’ 420 event was kicking off, with DJs and MCs throughout the day and into the evening keeping the vibes flowing. Keep an eye on the Mannijuana Facebook group for more info on this year’s get-together.
Can I get arrested on 420?
The short answer is yes, you can be arrested for smoking cannabis on April 20th (420) in the United Kingdom, as cannabis remains a Class B controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The fact that it’s a culturally significant date for cannabis users doesn’t provide any legal protection or exemption. If caught in possession of cannabis, you could face up to five years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both. The police also have the power to issue a warning or an on-the-spot fine of £90 if you’re found with cannabis. Of course, medical cannabis patients are free to consume their prescription legally, and attending a 420 event is a great way to raise awareness of this.
Many areas in the UK have adopted more lenient approaches to cannabis possession through unofficial policies, such as Durham Constabulary’s decision to de-prioritize small-scale personal use. Generally speaking, the police will exercise leniency at large-scale events on 420, and arrests only usually occur for other offences, such as possession with intent to supply.
Considering tens of thousands of people attend cannabis gatherings like the one in London’s Hyde Park, arrests are usually in the single figures, a testament to the good nature of these events.
If you do attend a 420 celebration, be respectful and mindful of others, look out for each other and remember to take home your rubbish. Most of all, enjoy the day.
Continue reading...
for comedy (?) reasons this person writing this needs to think a little more...
