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What happens on 4/20 in Vancouver?

4/20 in Vancouver falls on April 20, cannabis culture's unofficial holiday. The big Sunset Beach rally that once drew huge crowds hasn't run with a permit in years, and in 2026 the main event was a ticketed 19+ block party on West Hastings Street. Whatever you go to, buy your cannabis beforehand at a licensed store, since nobody can legally sell it at a 4/20 gathering.

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The History of 4/20 in Vancouver

Vancouver's 4/20 began in 1995 as a protest against prohibition at Victory Square, then moved to the plaza outside the Vancouver Art Gallery, where it grew from about a thousand people to tens of thousands. It moved to Sunset Beach in 2016, where police estimates of the crowd ran as high as 25,000.

Legalization in 2018 changed the event. Legal sales took away much of the protest, and the Park Board pushed back over permits, cleanup and on-site selling. After the pandemic years, the organizers stepped away from Sunset Beach in 2022 and held a smaller event back at the art gallery.

4/20 in Vancouver Since 2023

  • 2023: the Park Board denied a permit for Sunset Beach, and two smaller unsanctioned events ran at Sunset Beach and Thornton Park.
  • 2024: fencing went up at Sunset Beach, police stopped an unpermitted event from going ahead, and officers seized cannabis from an illegal vendor near the art gallery.
  • 2025: the city expected only an informal gathering at Sunset Beach and closed nearby parking lots, with park rangers and police on site.
  • 2026: the 420 Vancouver Pot Block Party ran on April 20 on West Hastings Street, a ticketed 19+ event hosted by High Score Lounge with Cannabis Culture.

4/20 Events in 2027

April 20, 2027 falls on a Tuesday. No event had been announced by September 2026. Organizers usually post plans in March, so check local news and event listings then.

Can You Smoke Weed at Sunset Beach on 4/20?

No. The Vancouver Park Board bans smoking and vaping, cannabis included, in every park and on every beach it manages, and 4/20 is no exception. Rangers and police patrol Sunset Beach on the day. Our guide to where to smoke weed legally in Vancouver covers the spots where you can.

Buying Cannabis at 4/20 Events

Only a licensed store can sell cannabis in BC. Vendors at 4/20 gatherings have no licence, a ticket for an unlawful sale costs $575, and police have seized vendors' products at past events. Their products also skip testing, so the THC on a homemade label is a guess.

Stocking Up Before 4/20

Coastal Green Dunsmuir, at 565 Dunsmuir St, is a few blocks from West Hastings Street and two minutes from Granville SkyTrain Station. Coastal Green Main Street is at 208 E 16th Ave in Mount Pleasant. Both open 9AM to 11PM, so you can pick up in the morning and still make the afternoon. Our weekly deals run on 4/20 like any other day: in 2027 it's a Tuesday, when edibles are 15% off. See both stores on our Vancouver dispensary page.

Staying Safe on 4/20

You can carry up to 30 grams in public, and you need to be 19 or older. With edibles, start at 2.5 mg to 5 mg of THC and wait 2 hours before taking more, even when everyone around you is taking a second one. Leave the car at home and take transit. Visiting from out of town? Read our guide for tourists buying cannabis in Vancouver.

Planning your 4/20? Check this week's deals, or call Coastal Green Dunsmuir at (604) 428-5065 and ask the team.

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