One resident said the music went on for 12 hours and was awful
Rubbish in Castle Park following the 420 event at Castle Park on Easter Sunday, which saw thousands in attendance(Image: Paul Gillis/Reach Plc)
Bristol residents have shared their anger at a 420 event which took place at Castle Park over the weekend.
The annual tradition marks a day recognised worldwide, to celebrate cannabis and protest against its prohibition.
In previous years, thousands of people have gathered at Castle Park to enjoy music played through a number of sound systems, and back in February this year, BristolLive reported how an application for a temporary licence for a sound system at this year’s event, had been rejected by the council.
Despite this, local residents have shared numerous complaints about the event, which took place on Sunday, describing noise, ‘too many people’, ‘awful music’ and strong smells in the area.
Photos taken by BristolLive today (April 22) shows litter as far as the eye can see as work to clean up the mounds of rubbish left behind is yet to get underway.
Litter and rubbish as far as the eye can see at Castle Park in Bristol this morning, Tuesday 22 April 2025. This remains as a rave took place on Sunday in the city where cannabis smokers come together on this annual 4/20 event in the city. PHOTO:PAUL GILLIS / Reach Plc(Image: Paul Gillis/Reach Plc)
One man, who wished to remain anonymous, described the event on Sunday as making the Castle Park and Union Street area “stink of weed”.
One resident, Tom Corbett, who has lived in the Horizon flats in Broadweir opposite Castle Park for 10 years, told BristolLive: “I regularly walk the park and pick up litter and just help out as I walk.
“Sunday (Easter Day) – a religious day – happened to coincide with 4/20 day, which I believe is about promoting cannabis and issues about legality.
“The event I believe started in the US and is now worldwide.
“I did read that the council refused an application for a sound system for 250 people a few weeks ago.
“Well, Sunday at 8am I was walking through the park oblivious to all of this. There were 10 to 15 stalls being set up, with six to eight speakers at each.
“I approached some guys asking if we were going to have noise on Easter Sunday. I said I’m a local, and one told me that it’s only one day, and the other told me to f*** ***.
People in Castle Park Bristol celebrating 4/20 (Image: John Myers)
“The music started at around 10am and finished at 10.45pm – over 12 hours later. My flat was actually vibrating throughout.
“Basically they used it as a rave, with cannabis. It was very depressing and the music was awful.
“There were thousands of people there all around, looking high, wandering about in a daze.
“I managed to leave Bristol for six hours to get away from it – and the rubbish which was piling up.
“I don’t understand how this event was allowed to happen – cannabis is basically illegal, the sound systems I assume weren’t legal, and the event was far too big and disruptive on Easter Sunday of all days.
“Why not have it in a field in Somerset? It won’t disturb thousands of residents for 12 hours.
“I don’t know who was in charge. I saw a few police but I have no idea what their policy was.
“With the local developments taking place, people living in the area will be in the epicentre of this absolute madness – who will want to stay?
“I believe the whole event was incredibly selfish.”
Rubbish in Castle Park following the 420 event at Castle Park on Easter Sunday, which saw thousands in attendance(Image: Paul Gillis/Reach Plc)
A statement from Avon and Somerset Police said: “Police attended an unlicensed gathering with multiple sound systems in Castle Park on Sunday.
“Thousands were there for the unofficial international “420 Day”, a public rejection of laws restricting cannabis use. In the UK the police response involves engagement, explanation and education around drugs and drugs misuse; with appropriate interventions as and when necessary and proportionate.
“Bristol officers had dozens of calls, mainly about the impact of very loud music on the wider community.
“At 3am on Sunday – before the crowd gathered – officers had seized a sound system from the park.
“However, powers to deal with the music during the daytime are limited. Officers ensured it was turned off by 11pm.
“Police and ambulance crews attended several incidents as the day wore on, including medical emergencies and assaults, and there were a handful of arrests.”