Legend has it that the designation of April 20 as a day of celebration for cannabis all started with a group of students at San Rafael High School in California, who used 4:20 as a secret code meaning it's time to smoke doobs around a Louis Pasteur statue on campus. The popularity of the number must've spread like a cloud of smoke over a concert crowd.
Other origin stories associate it with codes related to the law, which is dubious. A more complicated version involves the Bob Dylan song "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" that contains the lyric "Everybody must get stoned," and as it turns out, 12x35=420. Whichever mathmagician figured that out might have been a bit too stoned. Whatever its origin, 4/20 has become part of our culture, and after the year we've all had, everyone could use a little CBD and a day to chill out, so here are some ways to get in the groove.
Start your 4/20 celebration a tad early with Independence Brewing's release of brand-new brew Super Stash, complemented by live soul, surf, and reggae music all day and delectable brisket and tacos from Margie'z. Sat., April 17, noon-12mid. Free to $20.
Independence Brewing Company, 3913 Todd #607, 512/707-0099,
www.fb.com/independencebrewing
Groovy tunes by A Proper Tuesday, the Bottomless, and Plant Matter, plus a Green Booth set up with free Mad Tasty drinks, prerolls, and more. Tue., April 20, 10:30pm.
Santa Cruz Theater, 1805 E. Seventh, 512/762-7000,
www.santacruztheater.com
As a Sublime tribute on 4/20 they better play “Smoke Two Joints.” Tue., April 20, 7pm.
The Scoot Inn, 1308 E. Fourth, 512/478-6200, www.scootinnaustin.com
In what sounds like a pretty “far out” day, Far Out Lounge & Stage has got food and drink specials, CBD popcorn (!), Cereal Killer pastries, a photo booth (aka "the hotbox"), and live music provided by stoner metal bands Bogan Villa, High Orbit, and Peth. What’s more: a raffle benefiting Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy and a free set from CBDJ Matt Bradshaw. Tue., April 20, 4:20pm
The Far Out Lounge & Stage, 8504 S. Congress, 512/351-9909,
www.bit.ly/farout420
Lazydaze will celebrate cannabis and the grand reopening of all their locations with music, food, handmade goods, hemp products, drinks, and more. Tue., April 20, 10am-close.
Lazydaze, 5330 Menchaca Rd.,
www.fb.com/lazydazesouthustin
Willie Nelson and Luck Presents' multi-day virtual summit seeks to destigmatize, educate, and promote cannabis culture in an informative and entertaining way. Hosted by Nathaniel Rateliff, advocates will discuss the plant from a political, ethics, economic, wellness, community, industry, and science point of view. It's the marquee event of the "High Holidays," a cannabis celebration that begins on 4/20 and ends on Willie's birthday, April 29, and benefits the Cannabis Voter Project. April 26-29.
www.hopin.com/events/lucksummit
Interested in learning more about hemp products and how they can elevate your life? Confused by the differences in products? Hop on the bus to get higher education from a team of certified cannabis professionals. Ticket includes lunch and goodies. Tue., April 20, 1-4:20pm. $65.
Hemp Tours, 421 E. Sixth, www.flowcode.com/page/hemptours
An all-day party with coffee, drinks, food, CBD, and Delta-8 products, with free pre-rolls for the first 20 customers. Plus a comedy Show featuring Cody O'Dell and a robot slangin' Delta-8 THC and CBD in the back. Get one "Mystery Golden Ticket" from an item purchase and you could win 7 grams CBD flower! Tue., April 20, 10am-10pm. Free.
Halcyon, 218 W. Fourth, 512/472-9637, www.halcyoncoffeebar.com
The fellas behind The Dope City Tour, Matt Bellak and Tim Hanlon, are coming to Austin to get you lit ... from laughter. But it is 4/20, so, you know. Tue., April 20, 8pm.
Vulcan Gas Company, 418 E. Sixth, 512/522-8851, www.blcomedy.com
Spend your 4/20 with five of the best comics in the country coming together to bring you a night of laughs: David Lucas, Deric Poston, Jeffrey Berner, Ehsan Ahmad, and Sam Lopez, with special guest David "Cackles" Patten. Tue., April 20, 8pm.
Parker Jazz Club, 117 W. Fourth Ste. 107-B, 512/394-6003,
www.eventbrite.com/e/ivan-durhams-420-comedy-show-tickets-150090509755
Enjoy a preroll or gummy on the patio (first come, first served), enter a Volcano Vaporizer raffle, and get smokin' deals with 20% off everything and a Come & Toke It merch giveaway. Tue., April 20, 11am-7pm.
Green Cross CBD, 2308-A E. Cesar Chavez, www.instagram.com/greencrosscbd
While supplies last, get a free gift with purchase when you're stocking up for the coolest day of the year. Tue., April 20.
Oat Willie's citywide, www.oatwillies.com
Free CBD and prerolls given away all day in-store, and the first 25 visitors get a free swag bag filled with CBD goodies. Plus, enter on Instagram to win a Pachamama prize pack; winner drawn at 4:20 on 4/20.
Tribe CBD + Cannabinoids, 2700 W. Anderson #402, 512/240-9081, www.tribe.shop
There are several chances to catch a special screening that includes a cast reunion, hosted by Jack Black, featuring director Richard Linklater and stars Matthew McConaughey and Parker Posey. Check the schedules for Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar, Slaughter Lane, and Lakeline, or Blue Starlite Mueller and Downtown.
Doc’s Drive-in Theatre in Buda presents two of the ultimate stoner movies in one night.
Weirdly, Half Baked doesn’t seem to be playing anywhere on 4/20, but Alamo Drafthouse hosts a Cereal Party (arrive with the munchies!) on April 17 and Blue Starlite Mueller screens it as a "Dinner Theatre" event on April 22.
Copyright © 2025 Austin Chronicle Corporation. All rights reserved.