If you were anywhere near Charlotte on April 20th and didn’t pull up to the Up The Smoke Festival at Route 29 Pavilion, you seriously missed out. This year’s 4/20 celebration was next level — a mash-up of music, culture, and cannabis vibes that left the crowd buzzing (literally and figuratively) all day long.
Kodak Black closed out the night with a high-energy set.
From the moment gates opened at 11AM, it was clear this wasn’t your average festival. Smoke hung in the air like a soft haze as fans poured into the pavilion, rocking their freshest drip and ready to vibe out. The lineup? Insane. We’re talking Kodak Black, DaBaby, Rubi Rose, DDG, Babyface Ray, 310Babii, Yung LB, and a few rising stars like Lil 3, A.B, and Skrilla who turned the stage all the way up.
Charlotte’s own DaBaby repping hard on home turf.
DaBaby got one of the biggest reactions of the night (home court advantage, of course), and Kodak Black’s closing set brought the whole festival full circle — turning the venue into a full-blown party. Between sets, folks wandered the grounds checking out food trucks, merch stands, and low-key cannabis lounges hosted by local dispensaries like Happy Camper and Crowntown Cannabis.
Golden hour hit just right as the smoke rolled over the crowd.
Even though North Carolina’s cannabis laws are still pretty tight, the creativity was off the charts. Infused dinners, Delta-9 seltzer tastings, paint-and-puff sessions — it felt like the city was quietly leaning into the 4/20 energy. Shoutout to Sycamore Brewing and Camp North End for adding their own flair to the celebration.
Overall, Up The Smoke Festival wasn’t just a concert — it was a cultural moment. With the beats blasting, the smoke swirling, and the community vibing in every direction, it’s safe to say this one’s going down in the books.
Already counting down till next year.
