The 20 Best 420 Parties and Events in Phoenix in 2017

Editor's Note: Check out 2018's best 420 parties and events right here.

Excuse us for being blunt, but this Thursday is going to be a big day for fans of Mary Jane. That’s because it just happens to be April 20 (a.k.a. 420), which has become a holiday of sorts for anyone who partakes in marijuana or digs cannabis culture.

As we’re sure you’re aware by now, the number 420 has been associated with weed for going on 40 years now, dating back to the early 1970s in California. In those days, it was supposedly a secretive part of stoner lingo and has since evolved into a widely recognized shorthand for pot, not to mention a yearly celebration of all things marijuana-related every April 20.

And anyone and everyone tends to show off their love of the leaf on that day, be it privately or at any of the numerous 420-themed events that take place each year. Here in the Valley, there’s typically a variety of parties, gatherings, and concerts happening at local smoke shops, bars, and medical marijuana dispensaries that are attended by those who are down with cannabis culture.

That includes infamous local comedy rapper Hotrock Supajoint, a noted fan of ganja who has built his entire act around smoking chiba. And he’s not shy about sharing his feelings about 420 with New Times.

“I be all 'bout that day, and the fact that it be the international day of weed just makes me feel awesome that all these peeps gonna be gettin' high wit’ me homie,” he says. “I think all them stoners need a day to call [their own], yo.”

Just like many of his fellow pot-lovers, Supajoint will be celebrating in a big way on Thursday, April 20. He’s got a new mixtape/album, Bitchez Love Mixtapez, dropping that day, as well as a new music video for the single, “The Nite ‘Fo 420” where he stars as “Sativa Claus.” He’ll also perform at the 420 Flame of Thrones party at the Lost Leaf and also hit up a few local dispensaries and smoke shops.

“I be excited. Lotsa dope, stoner-themed events, which I be all ‘bout. Imma be hittin' up all the dispensaries fo' they freebie deals.” he says. “I be imaginin’ a lot a alleyways an parking lots ‘round these events gonna be cloudy wit’ a high chance of awesome.”

And what sort of parties and events will be happening in the Valley during 420? We've got the lowdown on 20 of 'em, which will take place on April 20, as well as a few shindigs happening in the days before and after the holiday.

Sorry We’re Dabbing Party at Last Exit Live
According to Wyves singer/guitarist Corey Gloden on his Facebook page, this particular affair being put on by the Sorry We’re Dabbing clothing brand will ultimately be “the baddest 4/20 party in town.” Feel free to stop by Last Exit Live on Thursday, April 20, and see if he’s right. Even if you disagree, you can still enjoy live music from Wyves, Ghetto Cowgirl, and Chalmers Green. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and performances start at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.

The Ital Plate at Valley Bar
Jamaican-born genres of the dub, dancehall, rocksteady, and reggae variety will fill the main room at Valley Bar on Wednesday, April 19, when the place transforms into a dubwise sound system during the latest edition of The Ital Plate. DJ Smite and Rankin Freckleface will be dropping riddims from the decks all evening while Tony Culture performs on the mic. The music starts at 10 p.m. and admission is free.

420 Celebration at Paraphernalia Boutique
The 420-related festivities will happen for three days straight at Paraphernalia, kicking off on Thursday, April 20, and including live music, free food, various discounts, live art sessions, and more. Daily specials will be offered daily from 4:20 p.m. to 7:10 p.m., live glass-blowing demos will be conducted by Glassfinger Studios and Tesla Glass, and $3,000 in 420-related prizes will be raffled off. It all leads up to a big party on Saturday, April 22, at the store. Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday.

420 Festival at Sky High
In case you hadn’t heard the news, Sky High recently opened a new “gallery” location at Mill and Southern avenues in Tempe that’s kitty-corner to its original smoke shop. As such, its annual 420 festival will be taking place at both spots on Wednesday, April 19, and Thursday, April 20, including barbecue, glass-blowing demos, and DJs providing the soundtrack. There will also be a massive sale, with a variety of discounts being offered during different times on both days (like 50 percent off select items from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday). Hours are from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m.

The 420 Jam Party at Cactus Jack's
Zeppapotapuss pays tribute to the tunes of legendary rock act Led Zeppelin. Also, the musicians of renowned local band The Noodles offer up an homage to the grooves of the Grateful Dead. On Thursday, April 20, you can catch both doing their thing during the 420 Jam Party at Cactus Jack's in Ahwatukee. The music starts at 7:30 p.m. and there's a $10 cover.

4/20 at Mint Dispensary
There will be discounts and specials aplenty on Thursday, April 20, at this newly opened dispensary near Arizona Mills in Tempe. You can score 50 percent off shirts, hats, high-end glassware, and accessories, for instance, or get BOGO deals on edibles, topicals, CBD, and vapes. Plus, you can also enter for a chance to win free cannabis for an entire year. Full details and other specials can be found via Mint’s Facebook page. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Four Twenty Celebration at Rhythm Room
Tucson band Good Times Great Oldies, experimental electronic music act Amethyst Seer, and other local bands will perform at this event, which takes place on Thursday, April 20, at the Rhythm Room. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5 and are available at the door.

Celebrate 420 at Metro Meds
Free food, live entertainment, giveaways, and vendors will all be a part of this dispensary’s event on Thursday, April 20. They’ll also have deals like $100 for a half-ounce of every strain and 20 percent off everything in the location. Other discounts and deal will be available throughout the day and raffles for “sick prizes” are also planned. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The 420 Free World Reggae Concert at Cactus Jack's
A total of six acts of the reggae variety and otherwise — including Nubian Fyah, Mystic Blu, Rising Youth, and The Chosen Few — are scheduled to perform during this 420-inspired music event at Cactus Jack's on Saturday, April 22. Guest DJs Naajee Fyah, Mark Mellow, and Jam Fyah will spin throughout the evening. Showtime is at 6 p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door.

4/20 at Valley of the Sun Medical Dispensary
Local musicians and bands will perform on Thursday, April 20, at this Goodyear dispensary, which will provide choice deals on its selection of strains, concentrates, oils, and other items. Pre-rolls can also be had for $4.20 each (limit two). A full rundown of its specials can be found on its website. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Read on for more 420 events in metro Phoenix.
420 Flame of Thrones Party at The Lost Leaf
A couple of Fifth Street spots – Bud’s Glass Joint and The Lost Leaf – will be putting on this joint celebration (see what we did there) on Thursday, April 20, in honor of the occasion that will feature both live entertainment and live demonstations. Bands and musicians like The Stakes, Genre, and I Am Hologram, and Supajoint, are scheduled to perform at the event. Meanwhile, artists from National Champion Hendy, Jake Brodsky Glass, Desi B, HP Loveglass, and Porter Glass will all conduct glass-blowing demos. There will also be sets by local stand-up comedians, drink specials, and a few different prize raffles. The party starts at 4:20 p.m. (natch). Admission is free. (Full disclosure: Bud’s Glass Joint is co-owned by employees of Phoenix New Times.)

The 420 Show at Lawn Gnome Publishing
Meanwhile, a cornucopia of live entertainment will be taking place just across Fifth Street at Lawn Gnome during this 420-themed variety show on Thursday, April 20. The lineup will feature music and comedy from a number of performers, including Steve Mandel, David Kays, Quentin Hill, Lou Moon, Josh Graves, Dustin Hadlock, Mason Pipes, and others. Doors open at 7:45 and the show gets going at 8 p.m. Admission is $3 in advance, $5 at the door.

4/20 at Nirvana Center
This westside MMJ dispensary, which is located at 35th Avenue and Washington Street, will host a two-day event on Thursday, April 20, and Friday, April 21, offering a variety of amenities. Vendors and DJs will be there from 4:20 p.m. to 7 p.m. each day, food and drinks will be available, and giveaways of edibles and concentrates for patients will take place. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days.

420 Beerfest at Boulders on Southern
They’ll be pouring some “ridiculously dank beers” all day long at this Mesa brewpub on Thursday, April 20, including some appropriately themed drafts like Pizza Port Chronic Ale, Abita Purple Haze, and Breaking Bud. Also on tap for the event are a variety of “classic gourmet munchie food,” as well as $4.20 happy hour appetizers and $4 shots of Jameson, Jäger, Jim Beam, and Jose Cuervo. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

4/20 Party at Emerald Dispensary
Soak up some of the good vibes that will be served up at both the Gilbert and north Phoenix location of this dispensary. You can also partake in food trucks, giveaways, free Leafly swag, and various deals. There will also be a free flower mystery grab. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the NoPho location and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Gilbert.

420 Parties at Cheba Hut
As you’d probably expect, given Cheba Hut’s theme, all four of its locations across the Valley will host 420 celebrations on Thursday, April 20. Each spot will offer giveaways, live music from local bands and DJs, and specials (including a “nug” sandwich with chips, a drink, and a souvenir frisbee) all day. Hours are 10 a.m. to midnight. The Cheba Hut in downtown Phoenix will also have its weekly Cultiv8N Culture open mic session starting at 8 p.m. that night, which will be emceed by Jermaine Kelly and feature DJ DN3 in the mix.

420 Emo Night at Joe's Grotto
The latest edition of this monthly emo event, which stars local band Hands Down, will feature a 420 theme. As always, they'll be covering a ton of classic emo hits and favorites from My Chemical Romance, Jimmy Eat World, Panic! At the Disco, Dashboard Confessional, Paramore, and others. Doors are at 8 p.m. and there's a $5 cover.

4/20 Event at PARC Dispensary
Live music will be a part of the festivities at PARC on Thursday, April 20, as will free food (complimentary slices of pizza will be given out with every purchase), prize raffles, giveaways, and swag bags to the first 100 patients in attendance. Everything at the dispensary will be 20 percent off, such as flowers, concentrates, suplements, accessories, and topicals. The event goes from noon until 5 p.m.

Lagunitas 4/20 Fest at Yucca Tap Room
Stoner-friendly movies will play on the televisions inside the Yucca Tap in Tempe on Thursday, April 20, while rock bands perform and special brews from Lagunitas will be available in bottle, can, and draft form. Appetizers will also be on special and various Lagunitas swag will be given away. Anyone who has a reciept from Sky High can get $1 off their first beer and a 20 percent discount on food. The celebration runs from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

420 Smokefest at Empire Club
Classic rock band The Shallows and a slew of local hip-hop artists will make up the lineup of this 420 event at the Empire Club, which is located near 50th Avenue and McDowell Road. The party starts at 7 p.m.