Seattle Hempfest 2023

Seattle Hempfest is an annual event in Seattle and is considered to be the largest annual gathering on the planet, advocating the legalization of marijuana. It was founded in 1991 as the Washington Hemp Expo and was presented as the first so-called "humble gathering of stoners" attended by only 500 people at the time. It was renamed as Hempfest the following year and has turned into a three-day annual political rally, arts and crafts fair, and concert with attendance of over 100,000 people. Speakers have included Nick Licata, a Seattle city council member, actors, activists, travel writers and so on.

In 1992 organizers planted two sizeable sinsemillas on the amphitheatre in Volunteer Park and after that year the Hempfest's reputation had begun to develop by leaps and bounds with over 2,000 "hempsters" enjoying the second event. And as Seattle’s grunge scene was starting to the zenith, there were bands to support the event.

Seattle's “protestival” in general, convokes a world of performing artists, advocates, politicians, activists, and happy attendees to the waterfront of Seattle. Just imagine three days of activism, pro-cannabis outreach, music, mingling, marketing, and more.

Join the festivities at three waterfront parks in downtown Seattle. These are Myrtle Edwards Park, Olympic Sculpture Park & Centennial Park.