Every year at 4:20 p.m. on April 20, stoners, consumers, and the canna-curious alike gather together around the cherry of a joint—or thousands of cherries, depending on the number of pot enthusiasts in your neighbourhood—to collectively celebrate the plant they love.
If you happen to be in Vancouver this year, head west until you hit the giant cloud of smoke or follow the sounds of classic weed anthems like “Hits from the Bong”. Eventually, you’ll end up at the city’s annual 4/20 Sunset Beach protest and farmer’s market. In its 25th year, this is Vancouver’s first weed celebration since the country federally legalized adult-use cannabis in October 2018. It also falls on a Saturday of a long-weekend, so it’s bound to be a big one. (Oh, and Cypress Hill is headlining the free concert.)
While the protest is set to be an event like none other, why wait until Saturday (April 20) to bust out your bud?
Play smoke pong at the Amsterdam Café
When: Doors at 4:00 p.m., April 19, 2019
Where: The Amsterdam Café (301 West Hastings Street)
Celebrate the night b’4/20 at Vancouver’s historic weed lounge. On the eve of the city’s annual cannabis celebration and protest, The New Amsterdam Café is hosting the first ever Canadian SmokePong tournament (like beer pong, but with bongs and bud). There will be music, prizes, and munchies, and the hotspot is notoriously smoke friendly.
To find out more: Follow @NewAmsterdamCafe
Lighten up with Burb
When: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., April 20, 2019
Where: Burb (1502 Broadway Street)
High-end cannabis fashion and wares designer (and soon-to-be dispensary) Burb is launching its flagship store on 4/20. Pop by to check out their minimalist, earthy aesthetic, learn about #LightCulture, and chill out to tunes by Johnny Jover.
To find out more: Follow @ShopBurb
Trip on Planet Trichome with Tantalus Labs & Studio A-OK
When: Doors at 7:00 p.m., April 18, 2019
Where: H.R. MacMillan Space Centre (1100 Chestnut Street)
Federally licensed cannabis producer Tantalus Labs teams up with local lifestyle agency Studio A-OK to take consumers on a trip that’s out of this world. “Playing into the curious nature of cannabis consumption during the 4/20 season, the two brands conceptualized a curated evening which folds into an immersive and educational evening of multi-room exploration and interaction.” The party opens with a journey to the sun in the planetarium, all to the soundtrack of a live performance from Khotin. Throughout the night, guests can enjoy musical sets from DJ Express, Nina Mendoza, and Slim Media Player. This event is for the 19+ crowd only.
To find out more: Follow @TantalusLabs and @_StudioAOK for updates and purchase tickets here. SOLD OUT
Planet Trichome official after-party
When: Doors at 11:00 p.m., April 18, 2019
Where: Disclosed upon ticket purchase
Chill, Winston! There’s more where that came from. Due to the interest in the Planet Trichome experience, Tantalus Labs and Studio A-OK have organized an official after-party for any space voyagers who didn’t make the first shuttle. Take a trip to Paradise with selectors Slim Media Player, DJ Express, and Galen Allan for an all-night-long out of this world experience. This event is for the 19+ crowd only.
To find out more: Follow @TantalusLabs and @_StudioAOK for updates and purchase tickets here.
Toke in the tulips with High Definition Tours
When: April 20 & 27, 2019
Where: Vancouver to Chilliwack, B.C.
Join Vancouver cannabis tour company High Definition Tours for a roadtrip to Chilliwack to visit cannnabis retailer Indigenous Bloom, followed by a visit to the 12th annual Chilliwack Tulip Festival. While you bask in the beautiful sights, tour guides will take you through about the country’s new regulations, answer consumption questions, and help build your budding knowledge. The tour is scheduled to return to Vancouver by 3:30 p.m., which means you’ll have plenty of time to make the official 4:20 p.m. smoke-out over at Sunset Beach Park. (The April 20th tour is sold out. High Definition Tours will offer a second Tokes and Tulips tour on April 27, 2019.)
To find out more: Follow @HighDefTours and purchase tickets here.
Gaze at glasswork at Puff Pipes
When: 8:00 to 11:00 p.m., April 20, 2019
Where: Puff Pipes (1109 Granville Street)
After the Sunset Beach festivities leave you good-and-stoned, pop by Vancouver’s iconic head shop Puff Pipes for Outside the Lines—a functional glass art exhibit featuring hand-blown wares by Salt. The free show is a display of Texan glassblower’s finest work, including some of his craziest canna-creatures.
To find out more: Follow @PuffCanada and @SaltGlass for updates and purchase tickets here.
Brunch with Mary Jane
When: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., April 20, 2019
Where: Hervana Coworking Collective (595 Howe Street)
Hang out with the women of weed during an educational afternoon with CanWeeDine, a collective of cannabis users promoting diversity and responsible exploration through candid conversation. Featured speakers—Camille Ritchie of Tribe Consultants, Dani Lily of Moonroot Meditation, graphic designer Mel Di Pietro, and Eman Salem of IronSelf—will also unpack the wellness benefits of cannabis during an interactive panel. The event opens with a guided meditation and features non-infused treats, tarot card readings, door prizes, an Insta-worthy photo wall, and more.
To find out more: Follow @CanWeeDine for updates and purchase tickets here.
Pregame with High Score
When: Doors at 7:00 p.m., April 19, 2019
Where: High Score (649 East Hastings Street)
Every big event needs a pregame—and 4/20 is no different. Check out the city’s only cannabis-friendly arcade on the eve of the annual protest and farmers market for a night of vintage gaming, giveaways, and good ol’ fashioned fun.
To find out more: Follow @HighScore for updates and tickets can be purchased at the door.
Get bendy with Blyssful Alchemy
When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., April 18, 2019
Where: Blyssful Productions (336 East 1st Avenue)
Before you dive headfirst into the long weekend, breathe. Blyssful Alchemy is a local production studio focused on getting guests hands-on with cannabis, like DIY infused balm seminars and home-grow tutorials. This week, the studio hosts certified yoga instructor and holistic health practitioner Naseem Gulamhusein for an evening of yoga for vitality. “In this therapeutic yoga session, learn breathing practices and postures that can bring strength and stability into your life.” Guests can sip on masala chai tea before stretching out some work-week tension.
To find out more: Follow @BlyssfulAlchemy for updates and tickets can purchased here.
