The coronavirus pandemic may have canceled Denver’s annual FlyHi 420 Festival, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to celebrate the beloved stoner holiday. Physical distancing and stay-at-home orders have moved festivities online, where cannabis enthusiasts are encouraged to connect and commemorate the occasion virtually.
Here are 10 parties where you can tune in and light up from home on Monday, April 20.
420 for a Cause
Local musicians, comedians and service-industry personnel have been financially devastated by event cancellations and restaurant closures due to the coronavirus. That’s why 420 for a Cause is focusing its efforts on raising money for organizations like the Colorado Restaurant Association and Colorado Comedy Relief Fund, which benefit those hit hard by the effects of the pandemic. And it’s bringing in A-list entertainment to do so. Expect live sets from bands including The Disco Biscuits, Thievery Corporation, Lotus and Motet, as well as comedians like Doug Benson, Broken Lizard, Jonah Ray and more.
The event starts at 1 p.m. at 420foracause.com and is scheduled to run 4 hours and 20 minutes (fittingly), with a countdown to 4:20 p.m. and a ceremonious “bud drop.”
4/20 at The Coffee Joint
The Coffee Joint, a social consumption lounge in Denver, is known for regularly hosting workshops and networking events. Since it can’t host them in person right now, it’ll be moving some events online to celebrate the holiday. On April 18-20, the shop will be streaming live podcast recording sessions, games, painting lessons and giveaways on its Instagram and Facebook pages.
4/20 World Record
Meetups on video platform Zoom have quickly become a popular quarantine pastime. On April 20, California-based cannabis entrepreneur Tony Diepenbrock is hosting a virtual conference in hopes of setting the world record for the most people consuming cannabis on video chat. RSVP at 420worldrecord.com to be one of 1,000 people to receive a Zoom invitation. The smoke session takes place at 5:20 p.m. Colorado time. Diepenbrock is also accepting donations and selling T-shirts to benefit the Last Prisoner Project, a nonprofit focused on exonerating those serving jail time for nonviolent marijuana crimes.
4/20 Special from Nightmares on Wax
Several musicians have taken to social media during quarantine to broadcast live concerts. On April 20, Coloradans can start celebrating at 11 a.m. with a 4/20 special set from renowned DJ Nightmares on Wax, who will be performing from his iconic studio in Ibiza. Follow Nightmares on Wax on Instagram to get a notification when he goes live on IGTV.
Chronic Relief
This event is taking the telethon format and giving it a 21st-century twist. From 1 to 6 p.m., tune in to a live-streamed variety show featuring musical performances and interviews with influencers and celebrities. Chronic Relief will be collecting donations from viewers to benefit the nonprofit Feeding America, which powers 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs across the United States. RSVP at farechild.com to receive a link to the telethon on April 20.
Haus of Jane 420 Celebration
Women who enjoy cannabis are invited to a virtual meetup put on by three female-focused groups: Tokeativity, Women Empower in Cannabis, and White Buffalo Events. The Haus of Jane 420 Celebration, which runs 4 to 7 p.m., features industry speakers, a yoga session led by Ganja Yoga founder Dee Dussault, and a cannabis flower painting lesson, among other activities. The biggest benefit is networking with like-minded ladies, says organizer Courtney Freeman.
Those interested in attending must register with Tokeativity, which offers three kinds of memberships: Basic (free), Grassroots ($24/month) and Business ($99/month). The cost to attend Haus of Jane 420 Celebration is included with both Grassroots and Business memberships. Basic members are asked to pay what they can up to $25 to join in.
HighStream 420 Festival
The National Cannabis Festival and the Emerald Cup, two of the marijuana industry’s biggest annual events, have joined forces to curate an evening of entertainment that doubles as a fundraiser for coronavirus relief efforts. HighStream 420 Festival, which goes live 2 to 8 p.m. via Nugs.tv, includes musical performances, workshops and interactive panels in the spirit of the holiday. Charity partners of the event include Crew Nation, a relief fund for live music production crews, and cannabis advocacy agencies Drug Policy Alliance and Americans for Safe Access.
The Mile High Virtual 4.20K
Originally slated to take place at Sloan’s Lake in Denver, the Mile High 4.20K race has gone digital. Between April 18 and April 30, participants who register and run 4.2 kilometers (2.6 miles) are encouraged to post a photo or video with their best times on social media. Tag the Mile High 4.20K for some fun, virtual competition and the organization may reshare your post. Registration is free at runsignup.com.
Virtual 4/20 Party
Lightshade, which operates eight dispensaries in Denver and Aurora, is hoping to bring customers together online with a virtual concert and fundraiser. Starting at 4:20 p.m., DJs including Skeena, Wushu and Thred Savage will be catering beats live at virtual420party.com and encouraging donations to nonprofits that are instrumental in coronavirus relief efforts, such as Urban Peak, which provides services to homeless youth. Comedian Sam Clark and chef David Hadley will also host stand-up and cannabis cooking segments, respectively, during the event.
Waldos Forever Fest
Illinois-based Dispensary 33 and Do312 are encouraging stoners to #420InPlace by offering a smattering of entertainment the weekend before the holiday. On April 18 at 4:20 p.m., tune in to Twitch for workshops on cannabis cooking, glass blowing and neon bending plus live DJ sets, drag performances and more. RSVP via Do312 ahead of time to receive the viewing link.
