Seattle Hempfest
On Indefinite Hiatus Since 2019
| Status | On Hiatus |
| Full Name | Seattle Hempfest (On Hiatus) |
| 2026 Date | None scheduled |
| Frequency | — |
| Location | Myrtle Edwards Park, Seattle, WA |
| Organizer | Seattle Hempfest |
| Website | hempfest.org |
| Note | On indefinite hiatus since 2019. No 2026 dates exist. |
About Seattle Hempfest
Seattle Hempfest was, at its peak, the world's largest cannabis advocacy festival. Founded in 1991, it drew an estimated 100,000 to 310,000 attendees across multi-day weekends at Myrtle Edwards Park along the Seattle waterfront, making it one of the largest free public events in the Pacific Northwest.
Hempfest was not a business conference or trade show — it was a festival and political rally in the tradition of the cannabis reform movement, combining advocacy, education, music, art, and community.
Why It Stopped
The 2019 edition was the last successful Hempfest. The fundamental issue is logistical: vendors lost access to a critical service road at Myrtle Edwards Park, which was essential for setting up and supplying the massive event. Without that access, the existing format became impossible to execute. As of April 2026, the access issue remains unresolved.
Hempfest's organizational team has not publicly announced an end to the event — the language consistently used is "hiatus" rather than "discontinued." Whether the event ever returns will depend on resolving the park access issue or finding an alternative venue capable of hosting six-figure crowds.
Historical Significance
For nearly three decades, Hempfest was central to the cannabis legalization movement. It brought visibility to reform advocacy, provided a meeting ground for activists, and served as a cultural touchstone for the cannabis community. Even with Washington State having legalized recreational cannabis in 2012, Hempfest continued as a venue for federal reform advocacy and a celebration of cannabis culture.
What Comes Next
For consumers and advocates seeking similar large-scale cannabis festivals, the National Cannabis Festival in Washington, D.C. has emerged as a comparable consumer-focused event — though it's currently flagged as unconfirmed for 2026.