Every year on April 20th, a dense and hazy cloud forms over Golden Gate Park’s Robin Williams Meadow. This is 420 at Hippie Hill, California’s biggest free cannabis event. The event is known to turn out tens of thousands of people, and although it was unpermitted in previous years, it’s now officially sanctioned by the city. Read on for a breakdown of everything you can expect for the 2023 rendition.
4/20/2023
As you might have guessed, it all goes down on Thursday, April 20, 2023. The long-established gathering point is Hippie Hill in SF’s Golden Gate Park, although the festivities will take place all throughout Robin Williams Meadow. The free event begins at 10am and guests are highly encouraged to arrive early due to afternoon congestion at the entrance. Music and events will run through 5pm and guests must exit the meadow by 6pm.
This year’s lineup features DJ Shortkut, Mind Motion, Jahyzer, DJ A1, DJ Mykone, and more special guests TBA. Singer-songwriter Erykah Badu will host the festivities, and will also perform at The Midway’s After Party later that evening.
What to expect at 420 in San Francisco
This beloved event has been going on for decades as an unsanctioned and unpermitted celebration. However as a result of the city’s newfound involvement, the festivities now include permitted cannabis and food vendors, port-a-potties, fencing around the perimeter, a dedicated clean-up crew, on-site medical and emergency services, security checks, and a unified sound system to showcase rotating DJs and performers throughout the day.
Security will be checking ID at the front entrances as no guests under 21 years old are allowed. Here is a list of restricted items according to the event website:
- No tents, canopies, tables or other structures
- No coolers large than 9 x 12
- No BBQ’s or cooking equipment
- No amplified sound equipment or generators
- No Glass
- No Alcohol
- No Wagons, Carts, Drones or Weapons
- No Pets
- No unpermitted vending or giveaways of food or goods – permits must be obtained through event organizers
Guests may bring food, but any large quantities of baked goods or food packaged for distribution without a permit will be confiscated.
After SF’s 420 celebrations were canceled for 2 years due to the pandemic, the event returned in 2022 with a bang. SFGATE described it as feeling like a “professionally produced music festival” thanks to a great lineup of performers including local turntable legend DJ Shortkut, Oakland R&B singer Goapele, and comedians Jeff Ross and Hannibal Burress. Mike Tyson also took the stage as the guest of honor to present his new cannabis brand Tyson 2.0.
We can’t wait to see what 2023 has in store for one of the most quintessentially Bay Area events on the calendar.