San Francisco officials have again canceled any official 4/20 event at Hippie Hill, marking the third straight year without a sanctioned gathering in Golden Gate Park.

Crowds are being discouraged from gathering at the popular spot on April 20, San Francisco Parks and Recreation spokesperson Tamara Aparton told the Chronicle. But cannabis connoisseurs will likely blow off the advisory.

Since the mid-1970s, Hippie Hill has played host to an annual, informal celebration of the unofficial stoner holiday.

Largely due to the event’s growing popularity, from 2017 through 2019 the city of San Francisco began formalizing the event, introducing permits, fencing, security, medical tents and cleanup crews to manage what had become a massive tradition.

The COVID-19 pandemic effectively shut down the event for 2020 and 2021. Though the official celebration was back in 2022, with heightened oversight from city officials, its return was short-lived.

Due mainly to funding shortfalls, the city halted sanctioning the event entirely in 2023, opting not to issue permits.

S.F. Spacewalk is scheduled to include talks from cannabis cultivators, live music, art and more from April 11-20 in San Francisco. (SF Spacewalk)

S.F. Spacewalk is scheduled to include talks from cannabis cultivators, live music, art and more from April 11-20 in San Francisco. (SF Spacewalk)

Launched in 2024 as a direct response to the city’s actions, SF Space Walk transformed the one-day event into a weeklong celebration with social and educational happenings set in licensed cannabis lounges, dispensaries and galleries throughout the city.

More Information

S.F. Spacewalk 2026: April 14-20. Various San Francisco locations. For a full schedule and more details, visit www.sfspacewalk.com

“S.F. is a city that knows how to 420,” said David Downs, SF Space Walk organizer and former Chronicle Green State cannabis editor. “We have some of the world’s greatest cannabis lounges ready to enjoy, right here in San Francisco.”

Now in its third year, SF Space Walk 2026 begins with a pre-event beach cleanup on Saturday, April 11.

But the opening night kick-off is set for April 14 at SPARC, the San Francisco marijuana dispensary in the Polk Gulch.

Pot release parties, author appearances, a film screening, an art exhibition at Mirus Gallery titled “Get to the Bag: Prohibited” and live performances will be hosted throughout the city, culminating with a big wrap-up celebration on April 20.

A Haight neighborhood-centered celebration and late-night party at The Emporium in the Divisadero corridor are among the 4/20 festivities.

This article originally published at San Francisco’s official 4/20 event on Hippie Hill is canceled again – but the party isn’t over.