Cara Todkill smells cannabis flower from Warren Campbell, owner of W Squared Distribution in Houston, at the CHAMPS Trade Show at the Palmer Events Center Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
In Austin, where outlaw country hums through dive bars and the line between counterculture and civic identity has long been blurred, the popular stoner holiday 4/20 shows up like a song everyone already knows. This is, after all, the city that helped turn Willie Nelson into a patron saint of the casually stoned, where marijuana is shared, social, and technically not quite above board.
More: Willie Nelson once tried to smoke weed on the roof of the Texas governor’s mansion
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So yes, people will gather again this year — in parks, on patios, in dimly lit venues — to celebrate as they always have. But the backdrop has shifted. As joints are rolled, a legal fight is unfolding that could reshape what people are actually allowed to pass around.
Javier Kane trims cannabis plants at Texas Original, a medical cannabis dispensary, in Manchaca on Wednesday November 2, 2022.
Jay Janner / American-Statesman, Austin American-Statesman
A late-March rule from state officials attempted to rewrite the math on THC, banning the sale of smokable hemp and extracts.
Then a Travis County judge hit pause, blocking enforcement and setting the stage for a courtroom clash days after the smoke clears. The result is a 4/20 that feels in line with Texas: laid-back and on edge, celebratory with a hint of “enjoy it while you can.” Here are some events where you can do just that:
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April 17-19: Austin Reggae Festival at Auditorium Shores
The tagline for Austin Reggae Fest, “What unity in the community sounds like,” rings true on the ground.
Austin 360
The reggae festival, which is the largest annual fundraiser for the Central Texas Food Bank, returns to Auditorium Shores on Friday, with performers like Stephen Marley, Original Koffee, an extensive market with vendors selling cannabis accessories and more. The festival is open to all ages, with tickets starting at $53.
800 W. Riverside Drive. reggaeriseup.com/texas.
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Through April 19: Moontower Comedy Festival
Sarah Sherman at Netflix’s “Roommates” Los Angeles Premiere held at The Egyptian Theatre on April 13, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Sherman will help close out Moontower Comedy Festival this weekend.
Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images
The Moontower Comedy Festival wraps up this weekend, bringing nationally known comedians like Sarah Sherman from “Saturday Night Live” and Meg Stalter from “Too Much.” The festival stretches across 11 venues with headliner shows at the Paramount Theatre.
austintheatre.org/moontower-comedy.
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April 19: 4.20 Theme Cult Movie Night at Blue Owl Brewing
Matthew McConaughey, foreground, and Rory Cochrane in “Dazed and Confused.”
Contributed by Universal Pictures
Blue Owl Brewing will screen “Dazed and Confused,” starting at 5 p.m., with beer specials all night.
2400 E. Cesar Chavez St. #300. 512-593-1262, blueowlbrewing.com.
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April 19: ‘Dazed and Confused’ screening at Top Notch
Classic Austin burger joint Top Notch was featured in the 1993 movie “Dazed and Confused.”
Ricardo Brazziell AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Because it’s Austin, expect more than one event screening this cult classic. Top Notch is pairing the film with food, drinks and live music in the neighborhood where the movie was filmed.
7525 Burnet Road. 512-452-2181, topnotchaustin.com.
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April 20: Fore 20 Party at Butler Pitch and Putt
Genesis Torres and Brandon Garza hit from the 8th tee box at Butler Pitch and Putt in downtown Austin, Tuesday, Oct., 19, 2021.
Stephen Spillman, for American Statesman, Austin American-Statesman
Butler Pitch and Putt will host a closest-to-the-pin competition set at 4 feet, 20 inches from the hole. Play is open to everyone. 2 to 6 p.m.
201 Lee Barton Drive. 512-477-4430, butlerpitchandputt.com.
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April 20: Neon Rainbows ‘High Horse’ line dancing and drag party at Sagebrush
Two-steppers dance at Sagebrush, a honky tonk venue in South Austin.
Dave Creaney/Special to Austin Monthly
Sagebrush will host a line-dancing event and drag tribute to Willie Nelson and Kacey Musgraves from 7 to 11 p.m. $12 cover.
5500 S. Congress Ave. sagebrushaustin.com.
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April 20: Metal Mondays at Far Out Lounge
High Desert Queen, Gran Moren and Mars God will play at the Far Out Lounge starting at 6 p.m. The event is open to all ages with tickets starting at $10.
8504 S. Congress Ave. thefaroutaustin.com.
April 20: Pipe-making workshop
Glass pipes are on display at CHAMPS Trade Show at the Palmer Events Center Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
Feats of Clay Pottery hosts a pipe-making workshop from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are available online starting at $75.
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The 2026 lineup includes names like Kevin Pollak, Leslie Jones, Marc Maron and Kathy Griffin.
Provided by Moontower Comedy Festival
Harry Higgs shares a wide smile during the Tito’s Shorties Classic, which was filmed at Austin’s Butler Pitch and Putt.
Provided by PGA Tour Entertainment
806 McPhaul St. 512-453-2111, featsofclaypottery.com.