Prospero’s Favorite Denver 420 Events 2014

This weekend marks the first legal 420 in Colorado, the first state in the nation to allow recreational marijuana sales. Cannabis-related tourism has brought plenty of visitors to the Mile High State already, but this week will see all kinds of tourism specifically for the many 420 events that will happen in Denver.

The High Times Cannabis Cup is the obvious headliner for Weedists that want to check out the very best of the actual bud, concentrates, and edibles that Colorado has to offer in a literal convention-style setting. Last year’s first recreational Cup had its ups and downs, but a new, larger venue this year should be very interesting for those who have tickets. The 420 Rally at Civic Center Park in Denver is another yearly fixture on the cannabis scene, and this year’s should be bigger than ever with live music and other additions to the festival.

However, there are so many different kinds of other events happening around town that it’s hard to get to them all. The major events are definitely not worth missing, but there’s plenty else happening around town, too.

Here are a few of my personal recommendations for events and other things to check out during 420 weekend in Denver.

Mile High Festibowl — Various venues throughout downtown Denver, April 18-20th

One of my favorite things about Denver (other than the legal marijuana sales) is the large and ever growing music and arts scene, which gets celebrated periodically throughout the year with multiple festivals and events. 420 weekend is the Mile High Festibowl, a three, multi-venue festival that not only features local bands of all styles, but stand-up comedy as well.

Coughee Brothaz After Party — Featuring Java Starr, Vinny Idle Redman, NORAD Dance Bar, late Sunday April 20th through early Monday April 21st

Pre-show at NORAD on April 18th and a super late-night on 420

While Method Man and Redman’s multiple shows on April 20th at the larger Cervantes Masterpiece are sure to be something special, Redman will also be making an appearance at the Coughee Brothaz after party at NORAD, one of Denver’s best dance clubs.

Rappers Java Starr and LYRU will be doing their own show at NORAD on Friday the 18th to kick the weekend off right, but it’s the 420 late night spot that will definitely be turned up in all kinds of ways. Those looking for a late night 4/20 event definitely need to head to NORAD.

Wake n Bacon — Undisclosed spot in the Baker neighborhood, 11AM, Sunday April 20th

For any tourists coming to Denver who want the full service tour experience, it really looks like Cultivated Travel might just have the coolest thing going for it right now. A super-swanky tour service among several that have popped up in Colorado, they’re going to be hosting Wake n Bacon: Inaugural 420 Brunch starting at 11AM on April 20th.

This is one of many themed events they have listed on their website each week. If you’ve got the extra cash, an “edible event’ brunch is a brand new Denver must. Like any good brunch, it starts late enough that you can make it if you feel like getting up early for the next one on the list.

Easter Sunday Sunrise — Service/Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifia Double Bill at Red Rocks, 6AM and 8PM, respectively, Sunday April 20th

Now given my day job in recreational marijuana sales, I’m most definitely going to have to work all day on Sunday April 20th. However, if I had the day off, I’d most likely do the strangest double-header of all time, just to say I did.

Red Rocks Amphitheater in Golden, located about 20 minutes outside of Denver, is on just about every list of the best concert venues in the world. Being that April 20th also happens to be Easter Sunday this year, Red Rocks will be hosting something crazy: a church service in the morning and a Snoop Dogg concert that very same night.

While I’m not a particularly religious person myself, it’s the kind of day that both demonstrates how diverse Colorado is and also how marijuana culture is now sitting next to mainstream. While these two events aren’t related by anything other than just the location, not nearly enough people are talking about how amazing it is that both things are happening on the same day at Red Rocks.

…and then a big plume of smoke for the show that night.

These are just a few of the many events happening around Colorado in the next few days to celebrate 4/20. Do you have any great ones on top of these? Let us know in the comment section!