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UK: 420 events 2024. Where to celebrate cannabis in the UK
Leafie Thursday 04 Apr 2024 In 2024 the hallowed 420 falls on a Saturday, so more people will be out celebrating cannabis and protesting that it remains illegal in the UK. With Germany legalising weed just this month, it's fair to say plenty of us in the UK will want to make our voices heard. To be a part of the noise, get out and spark one up at your local celebration. Here are all the events we know about for 420 this year. The clocks have once again plunged us forward into British Summertime, with (hopefully) blue skies and beer gardens right around the corner. But as the spring season finally gets into full swing, there is one day that all stoners up and down the country (and around the world) will be most looking forward to: 420. 420 – an international day of celebration 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. It follows a group of Californian high school students in the 1970s who used to meet up after school every day to go smoke weed together. 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 unsurprisingly 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 Germany legalising cannabis this year, there will be extra motivation amongst us all to show politicians that cannabis has mass support here too. So, as we make our way through the fourth month of the year, let’s take a look at some of the biggest 420 events lined up in the UK so far. 420 Hyde Park, London Probably the most well-known and largest 420 event 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! In 2020, the event even went ahead virtually, with a live stream featuring speeches from MPs and cannabis experts, alongside live music and interactive discussions. Previous 420 events in the popular London park have attracted record-breaking crowds, including an incredible 50,000 cannabis advocates in 2019. While there is no ‘official’ 420 event in Hyde Park this year, the event falls on a Saturday afternoon, so it’s fair to expect tens of thousands of people making the pilgrimage to this mighty gathering to celebrate all that is weed. While people will be celebrating in Hyde Park all day, make sure you’re there for 20 past 4, when people spark up en masse creting the biggest outdoor hotbox you’ve ever seen. When?: 11 am – 5 pm Where?: Hyde Park, London, W2 2UH 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. The event at the city’s historic Castle Park has attracted a growing number of visitors in recent years, and this year’s event is expected to do just the same. With a number of sponsors offering giveaways and even an afterparty complete with DJs scheduled to take place at The Warehouse, Bristol’s 420 event is sure to be a lot of fun. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook Page. When?: 12 pm – 11:55 pm Where: Castle Park, Bristol 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 2024. Glasgow Green, Glasgow Scotland’s second-largest city has in the past hosted a number of 420 events at the historic Glasgow Green. Being set right next to the River Clyde, the park is the oldest in the city and has become a popular spot for those looking to support the 420 movement through good vibes and civil disobedience. While no official event has yet been announced for this year’s Glasgow event, it is likely that 420 supporters will again be heading down to the riverside park to revel in the joys of weed and good company. Destination TBC, Manchester In past years, Manchester has been a huge player in the 420 movement, with huge crowds gathering at several locations around the northern city. Past events have seen stoners gather at Platt Fields Park – one of the largest, more central parks in the city. Also in recent years, Manchester’s main 420 event has been organised by Manchester Four-Twenty. However, since 2022, the group ceased to advertise the events and locations on their website. Instead, prospective attendees are encouraged to sign up for their mailing list to receive updates on upcoming events. 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. Last year, hundreds reportedly headed out in the sunshine to enjoy a smoke among friends old and new – and this year will likely be a similar affair, although no official guidance on 420 events has yet been announced. For decades, 420 and a love of cannabis has inspired tens – if not hundreds – of thousands of people to head out to their favourite gathering spaces around the country to show their support for change. As cannabis reform continues to evolve and more countries around the world continue to leave the UK behind, we expect that this year’s 420 events could be bigger than ever before. Have we missed an event? Let us know and we’ll add it to the list! https://www.leafie.co.uk/articles/420-events-2024-uk/
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