420 is a special celebration of all things cannabis. Across the world, cannabis lovers around the world gather peacefully to celebrate the plant and, in many places, protest against the ongoing prohibition. While medical cannabis is legal in the UK, the vast majority of consumers still have no choice but to break the law. As a result, a wide range of meetups, gatherings and communal events take place all over the country. Whether you’re a patient finding relief from cannabis or an advocate who wants to see laws change, there is an event for you.
When is 420 this year?
420 is usually celebrated on the 20th of April, because it reads 4/20 in the US date format.
However, in 2026, the times and dates vary because 420 falls on a Monday. Because some people have work, education and family commitments in the week, some organisers have decided to hold events on the weekend before, on Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th of April, while some are sticking to Monday the 20th.
What is the history of 420?
Multiple claims and theories exist when it comes to identifying 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?
Cannabis reform continues to happen at a pace across the world. Here in the UK, medical cannabis patient numbers continue to rise, but many people are still forced to break the law to access cannabis, so we expect that the celebrations and protests alike will be well attended across the UK.
As the date is getting closer, more information is coming in, so the list below is mostly accurate and confirmed times and days, while a small number of events have yet to have an official date. Make sure you bookmark this article and come back nearer the time to see what is happening in your area, as it is being updated weekly.
420 Hyde Park, London
The biggest 420 gathering in the UK takes place each year in London’s Hyde Park. According to Facebook, this annual rally has been going on since 1968 and is one of the best attended in the world!
Previous 420 events in the popular London park have attracted record-breaking crowds, including an incredible 50,000 cannabis advocates in 2019. In 2026, we expect that once again tens of thousands of people will make the pilgrimage to this mighty gathering to celebrate all that is weed. People usually celebrate 420 in Hyde Park all day with good vibes and 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.
While there are no current ‘official’ 420 event organisers for Hyde Park 2026, the advocacy group Patientcann has set up a patient picnic meetup on the day. The park’s by-laws allow for this, so come with your friends, meet other patients and supporters, and enjoy the day together. More info on Instagram.
When: 12 pm – 5 pm, Monday 20th April
Where: Speakers Corner, Hyde Park, London, W2 2UH
Brighton 420 Official
Brighton has a long history of cannabis activism and events, and it’s great to see a meetup planned again for 2026.
This year, events take place in Preston Park on 20th April. Entry is free, and as always, attendees are reminded to leave the park clean and tidy at the end of the day.
If you’re heading down, meet up at the Chalet Cafe from 2 pm. More info can be found on Instagram.
When: 2 pm – 6 pm, Monday 20th April
Where: Preston Park, BN1 6SD
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). In recent years, the 420 movement has also been gaining momentum. This is the UK’s liveliest gathering outside of London, with thousands of people attending.
2025’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 in 2026, last year was well attended, so expect crews to bring the party once more.
When: 12 pm onwards (Day TBC)
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.
For 2025, 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.
We hope that in 2026, Simpa and others will once again host a gathering to celebrate all things Cannabis and Cannabis culture. Keep an eye on the DCC Facebook page to stay up to date with the plans, as followers have been voting on their choice of date.
When: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm (Day TBC)
Where: Hemp Gardens, Durham Regatta, Elvet Waterside
Teesside Cannabis Club 420
The Teeside Cannabis Club, aka Exhale Harm Reduction Centre, is one of the oldest Cannabis Social Clubs in operation in the UK. Founded in 2014, the club works alongside the local council and authorities to provide a safe space for adult cannabis users and provide education and harm reduction.
Naturally, the club host a 420 party each year, with live music, party games and giveaways. The event is open to all members of the club – if you’re not a member, you can sign up via the website. Make sure you get your membership application in 24 hours before the big day!
This year, the club will host an event with live music, giveaways and much more. More details on Instagram here.
When: 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Saturday 18th April
Where: Exhale Harm Reduction Centre, Stockton on Tees
Glasgow Cannabis Club 420
The 420 celebrations return to Glasgow Green for 2026 – expect a well-organised event with live music, comedy, stalls, raffles, CBD, paraphernalia, seeds, and a medical cannabis lounge.
This year, the celebrations take place all day and into the evening on Monday, 20th April. For more information on the event and lineup, check out the organisers’ page on Facebook here.
When: 12:00 pm – 08:00 pm, Monday 20th April
Where: Greendyke St, Glasgow, G1 5DB
420 Plymouth
For the canna-friendly people in the southwest, a free, family-friendly 420 celebration in Plymouth returns for 2026. Hosted by the Devon Cannabis Social Club, this year the event takes place in Love’s Field in Plymouth’s Home Park on Sunday, 19th April.
Organisers offered freebies, giveaways and goodies included throughout the day alongside the opportunity to mingle and thrive amongst like-minded cannabis enthusiasts. Get more info and your free tickets from the Facebook page here.
When: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, Sunday 19th April
Where: Home Park, Plymouth, PL2 3PU
Channel Islands 420 Celebration
The 420 celebrations return to Guernsey in 2026 after two successful years.
Once again, the event returns to the Hougue du Pommier Hotel. This year, the organisers welcome Leila Simpson of the United Patients Alliance as a guest speaker. Expect a community-led, educational event focused on cannabis and public awareness.
For more info, check out the event page on Facebook here.
When: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm, Sunday 19th April
Where: Le Pommier Hotel, Guernsey
Unofficial and unconfirmed 420 events in 2026
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, and some police forces are less permissive than others. Sometimes, 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 2026.
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 2026 will likely be a similar affair.
420 in Manchester
Things tend to spread out in Manchester. With no one taking the reins to organise an ‘official event some looking for a 420 party descend on Platt Fields in Fallowfield, the traditional home of 420 for the city. Meanwhile, a few miles up the road in Hulme Park, another 420 event has emerged, with DJs and MCs keeping the vibes flowing throughout the day and into the evening. Keep an eye on the Mannijuana Facebook group for more info; last year’s event got pulled at the last minute, but fingers crossed 2026 will see something magical happen.
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-prioritise 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, it would be impossible to arrest every attendee. Good behaviour is usually enough to keep the police happy, and 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 to ensure the general public sees cannabis users in a positive light. Most of all, enjoy the day!
