Cannabis festivals and cups are the heart of cannabis culture in the US. From Hash Bash on a college lawn in Michigan to Hempfest on the Seattle waterfront, these events mix music, activism, vendors and community. Cups add competition, giving growers a chance to show off their best work. This guide covers the major 2027 cannabis festivals and cups, what each one is known for and what we know about timing. As of October 29, 2026, none of the big festivals had posted official 2027 dates, so we share each event’s usual season and tell you where to check. If competition genetics are your thing, our award winning seeds collection gathers strains with a cup history. Kind Seed Co sells only to adults 21 and older.

At a glance

Event	City	Usual season	2027 status (Oct 29, 2026)
Hash Bash	Ann Arbor, MI	Traditionally first Saturday in April	Not confirmed
National Cannabis Festival	Washington, DC	Spring	Not announced
Mile High 420 Festival	Denver, CO	Around April 20	Not announced
Seattle Hempfest	Seattle, WA	Summer	Not announced
Boston Freedom Rally	Boston, MA	September	Not announced
Cannifest	Arcata, CA	September	Not announced
Emerald Cup	Northern California	Varies	Not announced

Hash Bash

Hash Bash is one of the oldest cannabis gatherings in the country. It began in Ann Arbor in the early 1970s, after a campaign to free activist John Sinclair from prison, and it has been held on the University of Michigan Diag most years since. Today it is a rally with speakers, music and a street fair nearby. Hash Bash is traditionally held on the first Saturday in April. In 2027, that would be April 3, but the organizers had not confirmed the date when we checked. Watch the official Hash Bash site and local Ann Arbor news.

National Cannabis Festival

The National Cannabis Festival in Washington, DC is a spring festival known for music, education, advocacy and a large vendor area. When we checked, the festival’s official site still showed its earlier edition and had not posted 2027 dates. Some third party listings claim a date, but we do not repeat unconfirmed dates.

Mile High 420 Festival

Denver’s Mile High 420 Festival has been one of the largest free 4/20 gatherings in the country, usually held at Civic Center Park. April 20, 2027 falls on a Tuesday. The organizer had not confirmed a 2027 date or venue. Park renovation work in recent years has affected events in the area, so check before you plan. For more April options, see our guide to the best 420 events in the US for 2027.

Seattle Hempfest

Seattle Hempfest calls itself a protestival, mixing activism with music and vendors on the waterfront. It started in 1991 and grew into one of the largest cannabis events in the world. It is usually held in summer. The 2027 dates had not been posted on hempfest.org as of October 29, 2026.

Boston Freedom Rally

The Boston Freedom Rally on Boston Common is organized by MassCann, the Massachusetts NORML affiliate, and has been held since around 1990. It is usually held in September. The 2027 date had not been posted by the organizer when we checked.

Cannifest

Cannifest in Arcata, in Humboldt County, celebrates the Emerald Triangle’s cannabis farming culture. The 2026 edition was held in September. 2027 dates had not been announced. To learn more about the region, read our guide to the Emerald Triangle.

Cannabis cups

Cups are competitions where entries are judged on qualities like appearance, aroma and overall quality. Many are organized by state, because licensed products cannot cross state lines.

The Emerald Cup

The Emerald Cup was founded in 2003 in Northern California by Tim Blake and became one of the best known craft cannabis competitions. For many years it was held in December. Recent editions have moved, and third party reports describe a summer event at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 2027 dates had not been announced.

High Times Cannabis Cups

The first High Times Cannabis Cup was held in Amsterdam in 1988. In the US, High Times now runs state cups, such as its Massachusetts cup, which was scheduled to run from November 2, 2026 into January 2027. 2027 cup dates for other states had not been posted.

Regional cups

Many states have local cups, such as the Harvest Cup in Massachusetts, the Errl Cup in Arizona and the Oregon Growers Cup. Each posts dates on its own site, often only a few months ahead. Some are for licensed brands only, and some include home grower categories where state law allows.

How cups connect to home growers

Cup winners often shape what people want to grow. A strain that wins attention one year may be in high demand the next. Our award winning seeds collection and most popular seeds list are good places to see which genetics have a track record. Home growers in legal states can also learn a lot from cup judging criteria, like attention to drying and curing. Our guide on drying cannabis in a grow tent is a good next read.

A travel note for international festivals

If you travel abroad, Spannabis in Barcelona is a well known European cannabis fair usually held in spring. We had not verified its 2027 dates. Never bring seeds or cannabis across international borders.

How to spot a fake or outdated festival listing

Festival dates spread across ticket resellers, calendar sites and social media long before organizers confirm them. A few checks can save you money.

• Look for the date on the organizer’s own website or verified social account
• Make sure the listing shows the correct year, since old pages often rank well in search
• Be careful with ticket sellers that are not linked from the official site
• Check the city’s permit or parks calendar for large outdoor events
• Watch for sudden venue changes, which are common for outdoor festivals

If a listing looks too early or too detailed for an event that has not announced anything, wait for the official word.

Festival tips

• Confirm dates, venue and age rules on the official site
• Bring a valid ID showing you are 21 or older
• Know local consumption laws, since public consumption is often illegal even in legal states
• Stay hydrated, wear sunscreen and plan a safe ride home
• Never drive after consuming
• Keep cannabis in your home state and never carry it across state lines

Frequently asked questions

When is Hash Bash 2027?

Hash Bash is traditionally held on the first Saturday in April, which would be April 3, 2027. The organizers had not confirmed it as of October 29, 2026.

When is Seattle Hempfest 2027?

It had not been announced as of October 29, 2026. Hempfest is usually held in summer. Check hempfest.org.

Is the Emerald Cup still held in December?

Not in recent years, according to third party reports. Check the official Emerald Cup channels for 2027 dates.

Are cannabis festivals free?

Some, like Hash Bash and Hempfest, have traditionally been free or donation based. Others charge for tickets. Check each event.

The bottom line

2027 festival and cup dates are still coming in. Use this guide to know the usual seasons, then confirm every date with the organizer before you plan travel. While you wait, explore our award winning seeds or the Kind Seed Co shop. Kind Seed Co sells only to adults 21 and older. Always follow the home grow laws where you live.