April 20 – aka 4/20 for those who like to celebrate all things cannabis – falls on Easter Sunday this year and one of Tucson’s biggest 4/20 celebrations is rolling both holidays into one.
On Saturday, April 19, the new 420 Fest is hosting its own Easter egg hunt, but instead of plastic eggs stuffed with candy, theirs are filled with THC.
It is one of a number of Tucson 4/20 events this weekend.
4/20, often called the unofficial cannabis holiday, has grown into a national celebration of marijuana culture, with festivals, discounts at your local dispensary, and public gatherings highlighting both the recreational and medicinal use of cannabis.
Arizona voters passed the Smart and Safe Arizona Act in 2020, which legalized recreational marijuana. Since then, the state has reported over a billion dollars in cannabis sales each year, netting the state nearly $250 million in tax revenues last year, according to state figures.
The 420 Fest, sponsored by Tucson Doobie, Tucson Foodie, and Earth’s Healing, appears to be one of the biggest 4/20 events, with live music, food trucks, bars, games, and over 300 Easter eggs – each filled with joints, edibles, and other surprises – courtesy of The Prime Leaf dispensary.
You won’t find anything like that at Harambe Cafe & Social Club, Arizona’s first Black and female-owned consumption lounge, which will host six comedians at Dabs of Comedy on Friday, April 18, as part of the cafe’s nod to 4/20.
The attached dispensary, Jars at 6464 E Tanque Verde Road – though a separate business – is starting its 4/20 deals on the 18, offering BOGO promotions on select brands.
Harambe is one of only a few consumption lounges in Tucson. It opened its doors in 2019, initially serving state-issued medical marijuana cardholders before recreational cannabis was legalized.
Manager Gilbert Ponce described the lounge’s atmosphere as reminiscent of a speakeasy, calling it “a beautiful community.”
He noted that the clientele is always positive, representing a diverse mix of ages and ethnicities.
“They call it a healing center,” Ponce added.
The owners aim to create a welcoming space for cannabis enthusiasts from all walks of life with a menu of CBD drinks, coffee, and snacks, along with events such as painting, live music, drag-shows, pot-infused yoga, and comedy.
Regulars say both the staff and the space itself provide a sense of tranquility and create a positive environment.
“There’s no place like it,” said Edward Contreras, who has been coming for three years. “There’s so many people that walk in through that door and they say that they had to go to another country to experience something like this.”
Some 4/20 events across Tucson include:
- The 420 Fest runs from 2-8 p.m. Saturday at the Whistle Stop Event Center, 127 W. Fifth St. General admission is $40, with ticket sales ending on April 19.
- On Sunday, Toxic CannaBeats will take over The Rock, 136 N. Park Ave., starting at 4:20 p.m. The celebration runs until 11, offering two music stages, DJ sets, reggae vibes, drinks, and vendors. Tickets are $10.
- If you’re looking for something sweet to go with your high, The Munchie Pop-Up at Pueblo Vida Brewing Company, 115 E. Broadway Blvd., will run from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Cute & Classy Krispies will be on-site with a wide selection of rice crispy treats.
A taste of the scene coming up at Pueblo Vida Brewing Company for the Munchie Pop-Up. (Courtesy of Ashley Brown, owner of Cute & Classy Krispies)
For more information on the locations and events visit
facebook.com/p/Harambe-Cafe-Social-Club-100078960570386/
tucsonfoodie.com/2025/04/04/420-fest-2025/
pueblovidabrewing.com/events-newbeers/krispy-popup-2025
Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism
